These vegan brownies with nutty toppings are rich, luxurious and will earn you praises

A vegan brownie can be tricky. It looks easy, but is only easy if you know the tricks. Crafting a rich, dense, and fudgy brownie without traditional ingredients like eggs, butter, or gluten requires both patience and careful selection of alternatives. Elements like xanthan gum for structure and applesauce for moisture are the acquired wisdom of vegan bakers. Learn these simple techniques so you can enjoy brownies with the ideal texture and depth of flavor, all while keeping them vegan and gluten-free.

Key Ingredients

Applesauce and canola oil as egg substitute
In traditional brownies, eggs are essential for binding and providing that coveted fudgy texture. To replicate this without animal products, a 2:1 ratio of applesauce and canola oil acts as a perfect alternative, adding moisture and tenderness. Applesauce keeps the batter moist, while canola oil offers subtle richness, together achieving that classic fudgy consistency.

Xanthan gum
Xanthan gum is a plant-derived thickener that mimics gluten’s elasticity, crucial for gluten-free baking. In this brownie recipe, it helps bind the ingredients and adds volume, giving that dense, chewy bite everyone loves.

Dairy-free chocolate chips
These chocolate chips introduce an indulgent depth to the brownies, bringing in the luxurious chocolate flavor you expect in a brownie—without any dairy.

Ingredients

• Vegetable oil spray (for the pan)
• 85 gm gluten-free, all-purpose baking flour
• 100 gm sugar
• 25 gm Cadbury cocoa powder
• 1¼ tsp baking powder
• ⅛ tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp xanthan gum
• 120 ml applesauce
• 60 ml canola oil
• 1 tbsp pure vanilla extract
• 75 gm dairy-free mini chocolate chips
• 50 gm chopped walnuts or pecans (for nutty topping)
• A sprinkle of flaky sea salt (optional)

Directions

1. Preheat your oven to 165°C. Generously spray two mini muffin pans with vegetable oil spray to prevent sticking and ensure easy removal of the brownies.
2. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the gluten-free flour, sugar, Cadbury cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and xanthan gum until thoroughly combined. This step ensures even distribution and prevents any clumps.
3. In a separate medium bowl, whisk the applesauce, canola oil, and vanilla extract until blended. Stir this mixture into the dry ingredients, folding gently until you achieve a thick, glossy batter.
4. Gently fold in the dairy-free chocolate chips along with the chopped walnuts or pecans, ensuring they’re evenly distributed throughout the batter.
5. Using a spoon, fill each mini muffin cup about three-quarters full with the brownie batter. This allows the brownies to maintain their shape as they bake.
6. Place the muffin pans in the oven and bake for approximately 15 minutes, or until the tops of the brownies are just set.
7. Allow the brownies to cool in the muffin tins for 15 minutes. Then, turn them out onto a cooling rack to finish cooling completely. For an extra touch, sprinkle a bit of flaky sea salt on top. Enjoy these delightfully fudgy, rich vegan brownies as they are, or serve them with a scoop of vegan ice cream for a decadent treat! For a chocolate blast try having this rich vegan brownie with any of these dairy-free chocolate drinks. These drinks offer guilt-free indulgence and satisfies your cravings for chocolate.

Once the brownies are cool, place them in an airtight container. You can choose to cut them into squares or keep them whole. If you're stacking them, use parchment paper between layers so they do not stick. If you plan to eat them within a few days, they can be stored at room temperature in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. For longer storage, transfer the brownies to the refrigerator; they can last up to a week when kept in an airtight container to avoid drying out or absorbing odors from other foods. These nutty brownies can be stored in the freezer for up to three months. Simply thaw them at room temperature for a few hours or warm them up in the microwave for a few seconds, revitalizing that fudgy goodness you love.