Here we go, brownies, they seem so boring and normal and aren’t there a billion brownie recipes out there already? (This version from my girl Sarah has me wanting to try them next). Growing up, when my mom and I craved something specific, it was usually chocolate. Sometimes chocolate chips or a chocolate bar would do the trick, but I also have memories of a quick brownie box mix being pulled out, mixed up and popped into the oven for a fast batch of brownies. Boxed brownies do the trick in a pinch, but now that I’ve got a good amount of baking experience under my belt, I’ve found it’s worth the extra time to make a batch from scratch. So, it was time to find my own perfect brownie recipe, without butter or eggs. Impossible? No way!
Within the last couple of years of experimenting with vegan/healthy (er) baking, I’ve had a hard time replicating a batch of brownies that I really, truly enjoyed. Each batch either comes out too dry or too crumbly, not quite fudgy or moist (that word, I know!) enough and not deemed to be a batch worth wasting frosting over. I was starting to give up hope on finding a solid, easy recipe to crown with the ‘perfect vegan brownie’ title. Behold, the recipe that changed my mind! The frosting is modified from the vegan chocolate baking queen herself, Fran Costigan, and isn’t detrimental, but extra frosting never hurt anyone. Be sure to keep an eye on the brownies, over baking can cause them to become too dry and will lose that fudgy texture, so as a rule of thumb, I underbake my brownies just slightly to prevent this from happening. Happy Monday, here’s to brownies!
Cocoa Brownies with Chocolate Fudge Frosting
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 12 1x
- Category: Dessert
Description
Perfect vegan brownies with a thick layer of vegan fudge frosting!
Ingredients
- For the brownies:
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/3 cup coconut oil (melted)
- 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
- 3/4 cup whole wheat flour
- 7 tablespoons cocoa powder
- Pinch of salt
- 3/4 cup non-dairy milk
- For the frosting:
- 1/3 cup cocoa powder
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/4 cup maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon powdered sugar
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
- To prepare the brownies: Preheat oven to 350, grease an 8×8 pan and set aside.
- In a medium bowl, beat together the granulated sugar, baking soda, vanilla, and coconut oil. After all is incorporated, add the apple cider vinegar, flour, cocoa powder, salt and milk. Beat until mixture is smooth and pourable. If the batter is too thick, add another tablespoon or so of milk and beat again.
- Pour batter into the pan and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the top springs back when lightly touched. Set aside to cool before frosting.
- For the frosting: Combine all ingredients in a small saucepan over medium heat. Whisk together while mixture starts to thicken and slightly bubble, this should take about 4-5 minutes. Reduce heat to low and continue whisking for another 2-3 minutes, or until frosting is thick. Let cool slightly before frosting brownies.
Sarah | Broma Bakery says
Looks delicious! I think my brownies and your brownies should have a party, and we eat them all.
The Frosted Vegan says
YES YES YES!
Kathryn says
I’ve never had much luck with vegan brownies – the butter + eggs seem such a vital part – but these look so delicious and I absolutely can’t wait to try them!
The Frosted Vegan says
I hadn’t had much luck either, but I’m so so happy these worked out! Enjoy!! xoxo
Julia says
Didyouknow brownies are my all-time favorite dessert? These look absolutely phenom! This girl woke up a stress case this morning, so a batch of brownies are sounding miiiighty fine right now!
The Frosted Vegan says
Girlllll take a load off and get a brownie!!
Alisa @ Go Dairy Free says
These look AMAZING! And nearly healthy – nearly 🙂
The Frosted Vegan says
Thanks Alisa! Nearly is close enough, right?!
June Burns says
Those look awesome! So rich and fudgy 🙂 Love the addition of frosting too, always makes things better!
The Frosted Vegan says
Frosting always makes things better, right?!
Rachel @ The Stay At Home Chef says
These look fantastically fudgy! Thanks for the recipe!
The Frosted Vegan says
Enjoy Rachel!
Megan - The Emotional Baker says
I know what you mean about finding the perfect vegan brownie. The recipe I’ve been using sometimes comes out kind of greasy/too oily. I’m so excited to try this version – and with frosting, yum!
The Frosted Vegan says
Hooray! I hope you love it!
Christina @ The Beautiful Balance says
With vegan brownies I’ve found it’s better to pull them out when you don’t think they’re done and let them carry over cook in the pan. These look incredible and I love that coconut oil and apple cider vinegar. Pinning now 🙂
The Frosted Vegan says
That is the key, right?! They are way better underbaked 🙂
Ashley says
These look so amazingly chocolaty, Abby! I’ve always leaned toward cookies when baking; however, I think I need to mix some homemade brownies into my life after seeing this recipe!
The Frosted Vegan says
YES! I’ve been leaning heavy on the cookies too, but brownies were a welcome change 🙂
Thalia @ butter and brioche says
Nothing is better than a rich and fudg-y chocolate brownie. You definitely have got me craving one now after seeing the images!
The Frosted Vegan says
Thanks Thalia! I love love love these!
Liz @ Floating Kitchen says
The world needs more brownie recipes. There can never be enough. And they are never boring! These look incredible. Your photos are killer!
The Frosted Vegan says
Ahh thanks girlfriend! There are never enough brownie recipes, right?!
Nina says
Hi & Greetings from the UK. I really enjoy reading your blog. I don’t know if your have any thoughts on this question. Do you think I could substitute a different oil like Light Olive Oil or Rapeseed (think you call it Canola) for the coconut oil?
The Frosted Vegan says
Hi Nina! I would think you could substitute those, I don’t see why not! Let me know how it works out!
kathy patalsky says
The microplaned chocolate on top looks so pretty and delicious! love <3
★★★★★
The Frosted Vegan says
Thanks Kathy! So excited you stopped by the blog! : )
Kendra says
These look amazing, has anyone tried a gluten free version ??
Manon says
These brownies look amazing!!
Do you know if I can cook them for the day after? I won’t have much more time and it would be so convenient!
Thanks!
Manon
The Frosted Vegan says
Hi Manon, Yes you can! Just bake them, let cool and frost when you want to!
Clara Stiner says
It’s look so tastyy.
Can’t wait to try out these chocolaty Fudge Frosting near future.
Moses Dzarmah says
About to make the cocoa brownies fudge frosting. I’ll tell you how it tastes, can’t wait
Regine says
Wow! These look great! I don’t have cocoa powder here. Can I use dark chocolate instead?
Divinelove says
Nice recipe. Maybe I’ll replace the cacoa powered toppings with cacao nibs; just to know what it’ll taste like.
Thanks