Whether you like your gluten free brownies cake-like or fudgy, these bites of gluten free brownie heaven will please.
With decadent, slightly crispy tops and chewy, deliciously moist centers, they are truly the best gluten free brownies ever!
If you subscribe to my YouTube channel, you may have seen my Fox video news segment showing how to make this decadent treat — it’s one of the oldest videos on my channel (gosh, videos have come a long way!), but luckily I don’t look a day older since 2009 – no way (LOL)!
But I digress …
or you may have seen this recipe in my cookbook, Free for All Cooking, but I’m sharing it again now with a twist. (For even more chocolate and other Valentine’s Day treats, hop to my gluten free Valentine’s Day Recipe Round-Up!)
You can always frost these gluten free brownies with a creamy homemade frosting for something truly fancy …
But I truly love the crackly tops without frosting, too.
And, to get that classic brownie “crust,” I’ll tell you a baker’s secret: cream the sugar and eggs together at high speed for at least 6 minutes. That’s right, it’s just a simple thing but it makes a noticeable difference in the final results.
But if you don’t have an electric mixer and you don’t want your arm to fall off from mixing, skip it and just mix the recipe with a fork or whisk; they’ll still taste delicious!
But if you’re looking for really fudgy brownies, stop the mixing madness once the gfJules Flour is added and mix only until combined. That way you’re not adding too much air to the batter — air that will later translate into a cakier brownie batter.
Don’t you feel better for that knowledge? It’s really quite an amazing trick. Well, that, plus the crackly top secret along with lining the pan with parchment or oiled foil for easy release and precise cutting, will actually make any brownie recipe better.
Of course, frosted gluten free brownies are hard to beat.
And if you’re in a Valentine’s Day frame of mind, try adding Dark Morello Cherries to this already luscious dessert to make a truly outrageously delicious treat anytime the chocolate craving hits.
So run, don’t walk, into the kitchen and whip up a batch of what will become your family’s favorite brownie, gluten free or otherwise!
Best Gluten Free Brownies Ever!
Whether you like your brownies cake-like or fudgy, you'll love these chewy & decadently moist chocolate treasures. The best gluten free brownies ever!
Ingredients
- 2 ounces unsweetened chocolate (nondairy = 100% cacao baking squares)
- 1/2 cup chocolate chips (dairy or nondairy, e.g. Enjoy Life®)
- 8 Tbs. butter or nondairy alternative (Earth Balance® Buttery Sticks)
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 2 large eggs or egg substitute of choice (see Free for All Cooking or my article on egg substitutions)
- 1/4 cup black coffee, prepared (or milk of choice)
- 2/3 cup (90 grams) gfJules® All-Purpose Gluten-Free Flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon baking powder (omit for fudgiest brownie texture)
- 3/4 cup Dark Morello, pitted & drained (optional)
Instructions
Preheat oven to 325ºF (static).
Arrange a sheet of parchment paper or aluminum foil in an 8 x 8-inch baking pan, pressing to cover the bottom and up the sides.
If using aluminum foil, lightly spray with cooking oil. This step will make it easier to remove the brownies from the pan by pulling up on the paper or foil and leaving behind a clean pan.
Prepare a double boiler or a medium-size pan filled with 1 inch of water, with a slightly smaller pan sitting on top of the pan with water. Boil the water in the bottom pan, then cut the flame back to low-medium and add the chocolates and butter to the top pan over the simmering water. Stir and remove from heat when melted.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the sugar and vanilla, then stir in the eggs, one at a time. If using an electric mixer, beat for 6 minutes on high; the mixture will be lighter in color and texture after 6 minutes.
Finally, add in the coffee and continue to whisk until mixture is completely smooth. Add to the melted chocolate mixture.
In a large bowl, whisk to combine the gfJules™ Flour, salt, and baking powder. Stir into the melted chocolate-sugar pot until combined. Gently fold in the cherries, if using. Do not mix further -- only mix until combined.
Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 35–45 minutes, or until a toothpick or cake tester inserted in center comes out with only a few wet crumbs (not totally clean, or they’ll be overcooked!).
As a rule, brownies are much better on the un-done side, as opposed to the overdone side.
Cool brownies in the pan on a wire rack for 5 minutes. Lift the brownies from the pan by pulling up on the paper or foil. Completely cool brownies on a wire rack.
Cut into squares with a plastic knife or pizza cutter for cleanest cuts.
Notes
For fudgier brownies, do NOT add baking powder and do NOT over-mix this batter after the flour is added added or it will add too much air and create cakier gluten free brownies.
We hope you love this recipe as much as we do!
To pin it and save for later … because let’s face it, you don’t want to lose this one … here’s a pin for you!
If the cooked brownies are even as half as good as the batter they will be a winner. They are in the oven as I write. I haven’t been to the store for baking chocolate so I’ve substituted cocoa powder with the required addition of shortening as recommended. I’m not worried about fudge or caky. I just wanted brownies.
Thanks for all you do. I’m burning up your recipes as we hibernate at home.
I’m with you, Christina. Brownie batter is where it’s at. Sometimes it’s not even worth baking them out — just give me a bowl of batter and a spatula and I’m a happy camper. 🙂
So glad you’re finding lots to bake you happy while staying at home. Stay well!!!
~jules
These brownies were very tasty but I used a 9Ă—9 pan and took them out 5 minutes before minimum time and they came out very light and fluffy and not fudgy, so how do I make them come out fudgy?
Hi Larry, I’m glad they turned out well! Next time skip the baking powder entirely. That will help. If they’re still too fluffy, use 1/2 cup applesauce in place of the eggs. Let me know what you think!
~jules
I cut the white sugar in half with dk brown sugar…. less carbs! I always use coffee (instant espresso powder) and dried cranberries mixed with the wet ingredients, in place of “cherries”.
MMmmmmmm that sounds pretty darned amazing with cranberries instead, I gotta tell ya!
~jules
These brownies have my name written all over them! They look so fudgy and delicious!
These look amazing! Can’t wait to give them a try!
Adding black coffee to brownies?? What a great idea! This is going on my must try list!
It really does enhance the chocolate flavor, Noelle! Enjoy!
~jules
You had me at gooey chocolate…these brownies look incredible!
This recipe is to die-for! I made it for this past Christmas and everyone loved them and even those who won’t eat gluten-free didn’t know the difference. They are such a special treat. They remind me of Black Forest Cake.
Ooooh I never thought of this recipe that way, but now I want to make it again and think “Black Forest” as I munch my way through!!!
~jules
These brownies look like my favorite boxed mix growing up….which is a very good thing! I’m pinning for later.
So glad they look good to you too, Nicole! Enjoy!
~jules
Hello, do you have measures in grams? I have tried them but they result too oily, I am using egg replacer and 100% cacao. Any recommendations?
Hi Brenda, my gfJules Flour weighs 135grams per cup. Check out my recommendations for egg replacers in this article and try another one instead that might work better for you. I like things like applesauce and pumpkin in recipes like these. Best of luck!
~jules
Oh my, these look SO rich and decadent Jules. I’m just dying to try this recipe out. Do you ever try swapping anything for the coffee? I don’t usually have any on hand.
I don’t drink coffee either, so I bought a jar of powdered espresso. It can be used in a lot of recipes when you’re baking with chocolate. You can put in just enough to enhance the chocolate flavor, or add more to bring up the coffee flavor. (I don’t like to drink coffee, but I love the flavor combined with chocolate!)
Great tip, Susan!
~jules
What if I’m allergic to coffee? Is there anything I should adjust if I want to omit that I ingredient?
Hi Mare, just sub in milk or chocolate milk of any kind instead. The coffee enhances the chocolate flavor, but it’s essential for great brownies. Don’t omit without substituting with another liquid though, or the ratios will be off.
~jules
There is nothing better than a rich, fudgy, decadent brownie. Thanks for the tip to make the tops “crusty.” (That is almost my favorite part of the brownie.”
Mine too, Leslie!
~jules
Oh, yum!!! I enjoy brownies so so much. I haven’t had them in ages, thank you for including so many allergy-friendly options. Love the added black coffee in these 🙂
Yes, the coffee really enhances the flavor of the chocolate — it’s a great combo!
~jules
Tried these, only thing i eliminated was sugar (trying to watch my sugar), I used honey instead. I added 3/4 cup cocoa powder instead of bakers chocolate. Came out super dry… recipe didnt call for oil. What could I have done wrong??
Hi Kevin, using cocoa in place of melted chocolate will add a lot of dryness to a recipe, and replacing sugar with honey will also tend to throw off the liquid: dry ratios, but reduce or eliminate the body and caramelization that comes from sugar as well. Did you use butter? You mentioned that the recipe didn’t call for oil, so I’m hoping you still added the butter as a fat; it is melted and added to the chocolate in the recipe like oil would be. I hope that explains why they wouldn’t turn out just like the picture – they were some pretty significant changes you made to the recipe, so it can be hard to predict exactly how something will turn out in the end with such substitutions. Maybe try it again as written so you know what to expect and then you can try experimenting some from there?
~jules
I drink only high quality organic coffee beans and now have no issues with coffee. It is gluten/wheat that gives me migraines. Bulletproof is high quality coffee too. The quality of coffee matters a lot which can actually be healthy in moderation. Dave Asprey has info on his blog about this fact concerning coffee. Looking forward to baking up these awesome looking brownies. In fact, was just looking for a great gf brownie recipe Jules and someone gave me a bag of fresh cherries! Yum! Thank you!
Enjoy the recipe, Sue!
~jules
i finally made this brownie recipe and can confirm that I really do MISS the brownie mix that was discontinued. This recipe tastes nothing like the mix. It doesn’t have the same color, texture or flavor. It’s not bad but, not the same. That mix was the bomb! Please bring your awesome brownie mix back!!
It’s all in the cocoa — for my brownie mix I used two different kinds of super high quality cocoa. We are planning on bringing the mix back this year (yay!) but until then, give it a try again with really high quality chocolate instead. I hope it’ll tide you over until the mix is out again!
~jules
Jules you have yet another AMAZING recipe! The title says it right being the BEST brownies! I made these last night and I replaced the 2 whole eggs with 4 egg whites, I used Melt Organic butter sticks and did not do the 1/2 cup of chocolate chips ( I know I am crazy for leaving chocolate chips out ) but they were incredible! All of my gluten friends loved them and told me I make awesome brownies 🙂 Made my day! Thanks so much! I am gaining so much confidence in baking again. 🙂 Hugs!
I’m wondering why those of you who can’t have coffee/caffeine are eating chocolate? Doesn’t that bother you also? I am seriously asking, not being snarky
I do both, in a very limited way. Turns out that chocolate does NOT have caffeine. It DOES have theobromine which is a cousin of caffeine, in that it is a stimulant. It is also poison to animals so there are warnings to not treat your pets with chocolate.
http://www.phytochemicals.info/phytochemicals/theobromine.php
People who get migraines from caffeine so avoid coffee: why are you eating chocolate? Doesn’t that bother you as well? Seriously curious.