Gluten Free Brownies Recipe - Chocolate Orange Brownies

This is the best gluten free brownies recipe. It has that classic crackly top, it's fudgy and decadent with bits of chocolate chips scattered around and it's infused with a fresh orange flavour.

Let's be honest brownies are the perfect dessert all year round but in the summer in my opinion they’re even better. Adding a little bit of fruit to anything makes it all the more enjoyable. 

This gluten free brownies homemade recipe is also completely vegan and nut free. If however, you’d prefer these not to be vegan there's an ingredient substitute list below labeled ‘non-vegan alternative’ so you can make this easy gluten free brownies recipe non-vegan.

This recipe is so simple and quick to make you can make these vegan gluten free chocolate orange brownies in one pan, so little washing up is required.

In this post I’ll also be going through your FAQ’s like, “can you make gluten free brownies with just cocoa powder”, “how long to cook gluten free brownies”, “can you make gluten free brownies using oil”, “how many calories in a vegan brownie”  and so much more.

If you’re looking for more brownies recipes to add to your baking list check out my Microwave Brownies and  Fudgiest Vegan AND Gluten free Brownies

Expert Baking Tips for making these gluten free brownies fudgy 

Although this vegan orange brownie recipe is super easy, here are just a few expert tips i'd recommend:

• Make sure your tin is properly greased and lined before pouring the batter into your cake tin, to prevent it from sticking. I like to line my tins with greaseproof/parchment paper so I can easily pull it out from the tin once baked.
• The key to getting that crackly/flaky brownie top on these vegan orange chocolate brownies is to make sure the sugar is dissolved before removing it from the heat.
• To test this, rub the melted vegan butter, plant based milk and sugar mix between your fingertips. 
• If you feel the grains of sugar you need to keep it on the heat, if you don't and it's smooth then the sugar has dissolved and you're ready to add your flour.
• If you want these gluten free brownies gooey, keep an eye out when its baking and make sure not to over bake it. I’ve found keeping it in for 35 mins makes the best moist gluten free brownies.

Vegan brownie from scratch

Ingredients for gluten free brownies

Here's everything I used to make these vegan gluten free chocolate orange brownies

• Gluten Free Plain Flour – this is paired with xanthan gum to give more stability to the brownies to prevent it from crumbling. However, if you’d prefer not to make these gluten free simply substitute the gluten free flour for normal plain flour. There’s also no need to add xanthan gum as the gluten in the normal flour will prevent the brownies from crumbling.
• Vegan Butter – This can be the block or spreadable kind. If you'd prefer not to make these brownies vegan you can substitute this for margarine or block butter.
• Cocoa Powder – Adding a combination of cocoa powder and melted chocolate adds a richness to the brownies and helps create that fudge texture.
• Caster sugar – I like to use caster sugar in my cakes which is just a very refined sugar. So if you can’t find caster sugar I’d recommend using very refined granulated sugar. 
• Plant based milk - I used oat milk but any other plant based milk will work well here too like soya or almond.
• Essence of Neroli Orange - This is the orange extract I used for these brownies, it's derived from the orange blossom flower and has many health benefits. Known to support a healthy detoxification, especially for liver support, it also supports a healthy whole body neurological response where there is a need for extra-calm. It also adds a beautiful floral and citrus flavor to the brownies.

You can purchase your own from here

Non vegan alternative.

If you don't want to make this gluten free brownies recipe vegan simply substitute the vegan butter for regular block butter or margarine and the vegan chocolate for normal dark/milk chocolate.

How to make gluten free brownie

Gluten free brownies recipe easy - Step by step instructions 

1. Begin by heating the butter, sugar, and milk in a pan over a low/medium heat. Stir until the sugar is fully is fully dissolved and butter is melted - Don't let it boil.
2. Then remove the pan from heat and add the chopped chocolate and orange extract. Stir until the chocolate is melted.
3. Add in the dry ingredients and stir until fully incorporated. Be careful not to over mix. Transfer the batter to the prepared tin and spread it level. Top with the remaining chopped chocolate.
4. Bake for around 20/30 mins or until a skewer inserted in the centre comes out with moist crumbs but not gooey or wet. [refer to my FAQ's below]
5. Leave the brownies to cool completely for at least 20/30 mins.
6. Slice and devour with a cold glass of plant based milk or drink of choice. And better yet with a scoop of ice cream.

FAQ’s

How many calories in a vegan brownie ?

The brownies contain 330 calories

Are gluten free brownies healthy ?

Unfortunately no. Gluten free brownies contain the same amount of fat and sugar as regular brownies. When something is gluten free it doesn’t necessarily mean it’s healthy. A lot of the time you find gluten free products  can be less healthier than the original. 

Because retailers have to account for the loss of gluten and try and recreate the same flavor and texture. Which most of the time means adding more fat and sugar. 

But baking these from scratch without chemicals and additives at home you can try and opt for healthier alternatives. For example you can add coconut sugar instead of regular white sugar - although these are both refined, coconut is thought to have more health benefits. 

Or you can just indulge in bakes just like any other.

Can you make gluten free brownies using almond flour ?

Yes, however, your brownies will have a different texture. Almond flour tends to create very moist bakes, so using this in place of plain GF flour will likely result in a more fudgy slightly more textured/grainer brownie.

If you do give this a go please let me know how you get on in the comments 🙂

How to make gluten free brownies using cocoa powder ?

If you’d prefer to make these brownies with just cocoa powder and not chocolate the texture will be slightly different and you may not achieve that crackly top. However, if you have no chocolate at home and you still want to make these then I’d recommend:

Add 30g more butter and sugar and 10g more cocoa.

Can you make gluten free brownies using oil ?

Yes, however, this is not something I have tested. If you do try it I'd recommend trying a flavorless oil so it doesn't overpower the chocolate orange flavor.

Can I use this recipe to make gluten free brownies small batch ?

Yes! Simply divide the recipe in ½.

How long to cook gluten free brownies ?

Every oven is different when it comes to how long it takes to heat up, how hot it gets at specific degrees so I always recommend checking it every 20mins to see how it's doing. What to look for:

• Batter is slightly glossy a film has formed (crackly top)
• Slight cracks
• Toothpick inserted has moist crumbs attached.
• And my oven timings where 180 degrees C/356 degrees F for 35 mins.

Storing and freezing

How long do gluten free brownies last ?

For best taste these brownies will last up to 5 days room temp in an airtight container, 1 week in the fridge in an airtight container. Finally, 3 months in the freezer in an airtight container.

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Gluten free brownies recipe

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