Vegan Brownies
This easy vegan brownies recipe is everything you want in a dessert: fudgy, rich, and packed with chocolatey goodness. With simple, plant-based ingredients, these vegan fudgy brownies come together in just a few steps, making them the perfect treat for any occasion.
Ingredients
- 4 tablespoons ground flax
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/2 cup vegan butter like Earth Balance, melted
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup brown sugar lightly packed
- 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 cup non-dairy chocolate chips or roughly chopped vegan chocolate
Instructions
Prepare the flax eggs
- In a small bowl, stir together the ground flax and water. Let this mixture sit for about 5 minutes to thicken—it will act as your egg replacement.
Preheat the oven and prepare the pan
- Set your oven to 350°F and line a 7 x 11-inch baking pan with parchment paper. This will make removing the brownies a breeze.
Melt the vegan butter
- Melt the vegan butter in the microwave using a glass measuring cup. Heat it in 30-second intervals until fully melted, then measure out 1/2 cup.
Mix the wet ingredients
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the melted butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until well combined. Add the flax eggs and vanilla extract, then whisk again until smooth.
Combine dry ingredients
- Sift the all-purpose flour and cocoa powder directly into the wet mixture. Add the salt and baking powder, then gently stir everything together with a wooden spoon until just combined. Be careful not to overmix—this helps keep the brownies tender.
Fold in chocolate
- Stir in half of the non-dairy chocolate chips or chopped chocolate. Reserve the other half for sprinkling on top.
Bake to perfection
- Pour the brownie batter into your prepared pan, smoothing out the top with a spoon or your hands. Sprinkle the remaining chocolate chips over the batter.
- Bake for 35–40 minutes. The brownies may still look slightly underdone and bubbly when you remove them from the oven, but don’t worry—they’ll firm up as they cool.
Cool and enjoy
- Let the brownies cool in the pan for 15 minutes. Then, use the parchment paper to lift them out and transfer to a cooling rack. Allow them to cool for another 15–30 minutes before slicing into squares and serving.
Notes
Simply Nourished Life’s Top Tips for Baking Success
Here are a few tips to ensure your vegan brownies turn out perfectly every time:- Don’t skip the parchment paper, it makes removing the brownies so much easier and keeps cleanup simple.
- Use high-quality cocoa powder for the richest chocolate flavor. Natural or Dutch-processed both work well.
- Don’t overmix the batter once you’ve added the dry ingredients. A few streaks of flour are okay.
- Let the brownies cool completely before slicing to get clean, even squares.
How to Store and Customize Your Brownies
To store:- Keep leftover brownies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or in the refrigerator for up to a week.
- You can also freeze them for longer storage, just wrap individual squares in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe bag.
- Add chopped nuts like walnuts or pecans for extra crunch.
- Swirl in a dollop of peanut butter or almond butter before baking for a nutty twist.
- Sprinkle flaky sea salt on top for a sweet-and-salty flavor profile.
Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)
- Calories: 285
- Protein: 2g
- Fat: 12g
- Carbohydrates: 43g
- Fiber: 2g
- Sugar: 30g