The Absolute Best Vegan Brownies
User Reviews
5
1,034 reviews
Excellent
-
Prep Time
15 mins
-
Cook Time
35 mins
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Total Time
50 mins
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Servings
12
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Calories
340 kcal
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Course
Dessert, Baked Goods
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Cuisine
American
The Absolute Best Vegan Brownies
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The Absolute Best Vegan Brownies are rich, fudgy squares made without eggs or dairy by using aquafaba as an egg substitute and a combination of dark chocolate and Dutch-process cocoa powder for deep chocolate flavor. The texture develops from careful mixing and melting of ingredients, resulting in a chewy brownie that improves after resting.
Description
This vegan brownie recipe starts by combining sifted flour and Dutch-process cocoa powder to ensure a smooth batter free of lumps. Aquafaba, the liquid from canned chickpeas, is whipped with cane sugar until glossy and thick, mimicking egg whites' leavening effect. Vanilla, salt, and espresso powder are folded in for flavor depth while espresso enhances the chocolate notes.
Melted vegan butter and dark chocolate are incorporated into the mixture, producing a rich batter baked in a parchment-lined square pan to facilitate removal. The oven temperature and pan choice contribute to even baking and the dense, fudgy texture.
The brownies benefit from cooling and resting for several hours or overnight to develop chewy and fudgy character. Tips include substituting instant coffee for espresso powder and adjusting salt from aquafaba canned with salt to balance flavor. Using high-quality chocolate ingredients enhances the final taste.
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Ingredients
- 1/2 cup aquafaba liquid from a can of chickpeas, use unsalted chickpeas
- 1 ½ cups cane sugar organic or pure
- 6 ounces dark chocolate roughly chopped, 65-75% cocoa
- 8 tablespoons vegan butter cubed
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 7 tablespoons Dutch process cocoa powder
- ¾ teaspoon salt fine sea salt
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract pure
- 1 teaspoon espresso powder
- 3 ounces dark chocolate chips or finely chopped dark chocolate, or bittersweet
Instructions
- Line an 8x8-inch (20x20 cm) square metal baking pan with parchment paper and ensure there is some overhang on the sides (this will make it easy to lift the brownies out of the pan).****Preheat the oven to 350°F (176°C).
- Sift the flour and cocoa powder together in a medium bowl. Sifting ensures there are no flour or cocoa lumps in the batter.
- Add the aquafaba and sugar to a large mixing bowl. Use an electric handheld mixer or a stand mixer on high speed and beat the mixture for 2 ½ to 3 minutes until thickened, glossy, and wavy ribbons frequently appear in the bowl.
- Add in the vanilla, salt, and espresso powder, and fold with a silicone spatula until well combined (the espresso will continue dissolving into the mixture as it rests).
- Assemble a double boiler*****. Grab a heatproof bowl that can be nestled into a saucepan. Fill the saucepan up with a few inches of water - not so much that the bottom of the bowl would touch the water. Heat the water on the stove and keep at a rapid simmer.
- Add the chopped dark chocolate and cubed vegan butter to the bowl on top of the saucepan. Allow the chocolate mixture to melt, whisking occasionally until smooth and the chocolate is completely melted. Once the chocolate is completely melted, keep the bowl on the saucepan for an additional 30 to 60 seconds to further warm through.
- Pour the warm butter-chocolate mixture over the aquafaba-sugar mixture and fold together with the silicone spatula.
- Add the flour-cocoa mixture to the wet ingredients and stir until just combined (stop mixing once the flour traces are gone). Fold in the chocolate chips. Pour the batter into the lined pan and smooth out the surface with the spatula so the batter is in an even layer as possible (for even baking).
- Bake the brownies in the preheated oven for 34 to 37 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out with some moist crumbs and/or a tiny bit of thick batter (the latter could be the melted chocolate chips). If the batter is liquidy or runny, though, the brownies need about 5 more minutes in the oven. To avoid overbaking and since every home oven varies, I err on the side of underbaking and check the brownies 5 minutes before I think they're going to be done. My oven usually takes between 34 and 37 minutes.
- Transfer the brownies to a wire rack to cool for 30 minutes. Then carefully lift the brownies out of the pan using the parchment paper handles onto the wire rack. Allow to cool for a further 20 to 30 minutes before slicing. Slice the brownies and enjoy!
Notes
- Reduce added salt if using salted canned chickpeas; adjust to taste before baking.
- If espresso powder is unavailable, instant coffee powder can substitute with a slightly larger amount.
- Use parchment paper in the pan to avoid needing extra grease, as the recipe’s fat content is sufficient.
- For melting chocolate and butter, use a double boiler or microwave in short increments, stirring frequently.
- Cooling brownies in the fridge or over ice water speeds up setting and improves chewy texture, which is more pronounced after a day.
- Measure ingredients carefully using a scale and monitor oven temperature for best results.
Nutrition Information
Show Details
Calories
340kcal
(17%)
Carbohydrates
49g
(16%)
Protein
4g
(8%)
Fat
16g
(25%)
Saturated Fat
7g
(35%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
3g
(18%)
Monounsaturated Fat
6g
(30%)
Trans Fat
1g
(50%)
Cholesterol
0.5mg
(0%)
Sodium
218mg
(9%)
Potassium
222mg
(5%)
Fiber
3g
(12%)
Sugar
31g
(62%)
Vitamin A
6IU
(0%)
Vitamin C
0.04mg
(0%)
Calcium
39mg
(4%)
Iron
3mg
(17%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 12Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 340 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 340kcal | 17% |
| Carbohydrates | 49g | 16% |
| Protein | 4g | 8% |
| Fat | 16g | 25% |
| Saturated Fat | 7g | 35% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 3g | 18% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 6g | 30% |
| Trans Fat | 1g | 50% |
| Cholesterol | 0.5mg | 0% |
| Sodium | 218mg | 9% |
| Potassium | 222mg | 5% |
| Fiber | 3g | 12% |
| Sugar | 31g | 62% |
| Vitamin A | 6IU | 0% |
| Vitamin C | 0.04mg | 0% |
| Calcium | 39mg | 4% |
| Iron | 3mg | 17% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
Genuine Reviews
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
1,034 reviews
Excellent
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