Applesauce sub

I assume the applesauce in this recipe is a substitution for oil (and something else?) Can you please walk the substitution back and tell me with what I should replace the applesauce? Also, I'd appreciate a good tip on how to grate chocolate. I always end up with chunks and hunks of chocolate, brown hands and a lot of melted chocolate on my grater. And not much actual grated chocolate.