Vegan Brownies

Thick, fudgy, and oh-so-gooey, chocolate brownies are a dessert like no other. Luckily, there’s no need to use mediocre store-bought brownie mixes, because today we are bringing you the BEST vegan brownie recipe around!

We use aquafaba (simple chickpea water) and vegan butter to produce egg-free, dairy-free brownies with the rich and sumptuously dark flavor of Dutch processed cocoa powder, while a little espresso powder deepens the flavor further.

It takes less than an hour to make a tray of 12 brownies, which are perfect for desserts, lunchboxes, and those days where you just need a brownie (which is pretty much everyday, if you are like us!).

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What are Brownies?

A brownie is a small square of dense, fudgy chocolate cake, sometimes with chopped nuts, chocolate chips, or other ingredients mixed in.

You can find both fudgy and cakey brownies, although it’s the fudgy chewy variety that we love the most. You will also find a spinoff of brownies called ‘blondies’, which have a buttery vanilla flavor and use white chocolate instead of dark cocoa.

Interestingly, brownies have been in existence in America since the late 1800s, although it was in 1907 that they developed into the fudgy treat we know and love today.

Are Brownies Vegan?

No – most brownie recipes include eggs, as well as dairy butter and milk chocolate.

Luckily our brownies are completely vegan. We use aquafaba (the water from cooked chickpeas) instead of egg to provide structure, along with vegan butter and vegan chocolate.

The result is perfect plant-based brownies!

Are these Vegan Brownies Gluten-Free?

In these brownies we use standard all-purpose flour as this produces the best results.

However, if you are sensitive to gluten, you can still produce great vegan brownies by using a gluten-free all-purpose flour instead.

Are Vegan Brownies Easy to Make?

If you are a confident baker, then there is nothing in this recipe that will be too difficult.

If you are new to baking, then you may find it a little complicated as there are a lot of moving parts and steps. Still, it is worth trying, and will take around 50 minutes in total (plus a little extra time for cooling).

What are Vegan Brownies Made Of?

We use solely plant-based ingredients to make our brownies.

Some ingredients will be easily found in your pantry, while others may need a special purchase. For example, we recommend using Dutch processed (alkalized) cocoa powder for a deeper, darker flavor.

For this recipe you will need:

• All-purpose flour
• Cocoa powder (Dutch processed or alkalized)
• Aquafaba (the liquid from canned chickpeas)
• Coconut sugar  
• Dark chocolate
• Vegan butter, unsalted 
• Vanilla extract  
• Sea salt
• Espresso powder
• Vegan chocolate chips  

How to Make Vegan Brownies

Line an 8” x 8” square baking pan with parchment paper, preferably with some excess paper at the sides (this will make it easier to remove the brownies from the pan). Preheat your oven to 350°F.

Sift the flour and cocoa powder into a mixing bowl, and set aside.

To a separate mixing bowl (or stand mixer), add the aquafaba and the coconut sugar, and beat for a couple minutes until soft, glossy, wavy peaks form in the bowl.                  

To a double boiler, add the chopped dark chocolate and vegan butter, whisking occasionally until it’s completely melted. Add the vanilla extract, salt, and espresso powder, and mix until incorporated.

Pour the warm chocolate mixture over the whipped aquafaba mixture and fold together using a spatula.

Add the dry sifted flour and cocoa to the wet ingredients, and stir until well-incorporated. Then fold in the chocolate chips.

Next, pour the batter into the lined pan. Even out the surface with the spatula.              

Bake for 30 to 40 minutes (depending on your oven), or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out with a few moist crumbs. If the batter is too sticky, the brownies probably need about 5 more minutes in the oven.

When ready, remove the brownies from the oven and allow them to cool for 30 minutes. Once cooled, remove the brownies from the baking pan, and transfer to a wire rack. Cool for an additional 30 minutes before cutting.       

Tips for the Best Vegan Brownies

Aquafaba is used in this recipe as the egg replacer. You can buy aquafaba or simply drain the liquid from a can of chickpeas. If you do this, just make sure you choose unsalted chickpeas – nobody wants salty brownies!

Meanwhile, the quality of the chocolate is crucial. Find the highest-quality Dutch processed cocoa powder you can afford – we like Anthony’s Organic Dutch Processed Baking Cocoa – as well as the best chocolate chips.

Be careful to avoid overmixing the brownies as this will result in a cakier end product. If you want fudgy brownies, only mix as much as you need.

Don’t slice your brownies too early! Allow them to cool properly before slicing with a large knife, to avoid messy portions. If you have time, dip your knife in a bowl of hot water then dry in between slices.

When you are confident in your ability, you can add other ingredients to the mix. Things like chopped walnuts are traditional, but you can experiment with dried fruits, vegan marshmallows, or chunks of your favorite vegan candy bars. Or go festive by adding some crushed candy canes! There’s no limit here.

FAQ

How to Store Vegan Brownies

When these brownies have cooled, transfer them to an airtight container. You can then store them for up to 5 days in the refrigerator.

You may want to avoid slicing the brownies into individual portions until you are ready to use them, as this will help them retain moisture.

Can You Freeze Vegan Brownies?

You certainly can! These brownies freeze well if you store them in an airtight freezer-proof container. They will last for up to 2 months.

To thaw, just leave them at room temperature until ready, although you can also put them in the microwave if you can’t wait! 😋

Can You Make Vegan Brownies Ahead of Time?

Yes, these brownies are ideal made ahead of time, so you always have a stack of treats at the ready!

Simply allow them to cool, then move them into an airtight container and store them in the fridge for up to 5 days.

How Long Do Vegan Brownies Last?

In the refrigerator, you can store these brownies for up to 5 days. In the freezer, they will last for up to 2 months.

Are Vegan Brownies Healthier?

That’s a good question! Let’s explore it in more depth…

Traditional brownies combine things like fat and sugar along with eggs and dairy, which also contain saturated fat and cholesterol (not to mention bovine growth hormones, which humans really don’t need in their bodies).

So, by removing the eggs and dairy, and replacing it with aquafaba and vegan butter, you instantly have a healthier product in our eyes.

However, this isn’t a license to eat an entire tray! Vegan brownies still have sugar and fat, and are quite high in calories.

Ultimately, if you enjoy these brownies in moderation, they can form part of a healthy vegan diet.

If you’re looking for more rich, chocolatey dessert recipes, check out:

Vegan Chocolate Cake

Vegan Chocolate Tart

Easy 5-Ingredient Vegan Chocolate Fudge

Vegan Chocolate Donuts

Easy Vegan Chocolate Mousse

If you try this recipe, let us know! Leave a comment, rate it, and don’t forget to tag your photos with @healthiir on Instagram!