Rich, Chewy Gluten-Free Brownies {soy free, dairy free, vegan option}


In my world, a good brownie is ridiculously dense and chewy. It's something you can really sink your teeth into, and it tastes even better cold. It has a little hint of frosting, and tastes of rich, dark chocolate.

This is that brownie.

I won't lie--I did a happy dance when I bit into that first brownie. 

Ready to make some of your own?

For the Brownies, You'll Need:
1 Cup Chocolate Chips
1/2 Cup Peanut Butter {or another nut butter}
1/2 Cup Earth Balance
1 1/2 Cups Sugar
1 Cup Almond Milk
1/2 Cup Applesauce
1 egg {vegan substitutes would work nicely here... 1/4 cup mashed banana, pumpkin puree, commercial egg replacer, etc.}
2 tsp. Vanilla
1 1/4 Cups Gluten Free Flour {I used Bob's Red Mill AP Blend}
3/4 Cup Cocoa Powder
2 Tbsp. Corn Starch
1 tsp. Salt
1 tsp. Xanthan Gum

To Make the Brownies:
In a microwave-safe container, melt chocolate chips and peanut butter. Heat in 30-second intervals to avoid scorching.
In a large mixing bowl {or the bowl of your stand mixer}, cream the Earth Balance and sugar.
Add almond milk, applesauce, egg {or replacer}, and vanilla. Mix again to combine.
Add melted chocolate and peanut butter, and mix once more. Set aside.
In another bowl, combine flour, cocoa powder, corn starch, salt, and xanthan gum. Add to the chocolate mixture in small increments, mixing as you go. Your batter will be quite thick.
Spread the batter into a greased {I used my palm shortening} 9x13 baking dish, and bake at 350 degrees for 35-40 minutes, until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean.
Allow the brownies to sit for about ten minutes, and then top with frosting:

For the Frosting, You'll Need:
1/2 Cup Earth Balance
2 Cups Powdered Sugar
1/3 Cup Cocoa Powder
2-3 Tbsp. Almond Milk

To Make the Frosting:
In a mixing bowl, whip the Earth Balance a bit.
Gradually add powdered sugar and cocoa powder {you can pre-mix the two in another container, or add each separately}, working in small batches to keep from making a mess of your kitchen.
Continue with your mixer, adding almond milk one tablespoon at a time until you've got a creamy, spreadable frosting.
Spread over warm brownies. 

Stored in the fridge, these brownies are THICK and chewy. I love them that way! But you might prefer to serve yours at room temperature. 

15 comments:

  1. You shouldn't have..

    Really.

    But I am looking for an amazing brownie recipe for a reason. Hope this is it...but I'll have to make my chocolate chips first :-)!

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  2. question: what is the point of adding xanthan gum? is it to help replace what gluten would add if it were there?

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  3. Yep, exactly! Gluten helps baked goods to rise and fluff, and to hold together. Xanthan gum stands in to provide those properties when we omit gluten.


    Adrienne... I laughed out loud! please let me know how this turns out w/your chips and your sugar substitute choice?! :)

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  4. So if I used regular flour in place of GF flour, I could omit the xanthan gum?

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  5. Yes. Regular, all-purpose flour does not need xanthan gum. I've been thinking about writing a post about this... what to use if you want to use mainstream ingredients to make my recipes. I think I'll do that this week!

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  6. That would be awesome! We have no reason to be gluten free at the moment, but I always want to try your recipes! So yummy! :D

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  7. for soy free, what is the option for earth balance / choc chips? I cant find any chocolate without soy lecithin

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  8. I'm 100% soy free, Sarah! I use Earth Balance in the red container {labeled soy free}, and I use chocolate chips and chocolate chunks made by Enjoy Life. What part of the Country are you in? I might be able to suggest a store :)

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  9. These look delish!!! Just might have to give em a try :)

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  10. I'd love your review if you try them, Heather! :)

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  11. Oh my! Chocolate!!! My big food weakness!

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  12. Kimberly... here's that post: http://www.dandelionsonthewall.com/2012/06/mainstream-substitutes-for-allergy.html

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  13. Yum, these look fudgy. And chocolates. And all around awesome!

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  14. If you like coconut you can replace the Earth Balance in the frosting with coconut oil. It is AMAZING!!

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