Fudgy Vegan Brownies

Last updated on April 4th, 2023 at 09:18 am

Gooey and muddy with a melt-in-your-mouth centre and crisp, shiny top, these fudgy vegan brownies require no melting or creaming. Just stir, pour, lick the bowl and bake.

Gooey chocolate brownies on baking paper.

This recipe was originally posted on August 4, 2020 and updated with instructions, ingredient notes and process images on February 5, 2022.

If you like your chocolate fix pure and uncomplicated - made from pantry ingredients - this is the recipe for you.

Table of Contents show

Why You'll Love This Vegan Brownie Recipe

Making really great fudgy vegan brownies is easier than you might think. So, we don't have eggs.

No problem. And butter?

Who needs it? These killer vegan brownies are just so good. They are:

deliciously gooey on the inside with a delicate crisp top
super easy to make with no real technical skills required
made from pantry ingredients!
vegan!
gluten-free adaptable

But, let me be clear; these are not healthy. I repeat, not healthy.

If you are after a healthier treat, check out my Flourless Tahini Caramel Black Bean Brownies or even my Vegan Gluten Free Chocolate Beetroot Cakes. They are both delicious and almost good for you.

These brownies are pure decadence.

OK, are you ready to make drool-worthy vegan brownies? Spoons at the ready.

Ingredients and Substitutions

Vegan brownie ingredients in a grid with labels.

Cocoa powder. I use natural cocoa powder in these brownies but, because we are using baking powder not baking soda, so you can also use Dutch process (or alkalised) cocoa. Just make sure you are buying a vegan cocoa powder.

Sugar. Granulated sugar works best in this vegan brownie recipe. I use raw caster sugar but raw granulated sugar will work great.

Oil. Sunflower oil is my preferred cooking oil but any neutral flavoured oil will work.

Chocolate chips. The sky is the limit! As long as they are vegan, you can use any chocolate you like. I use a good quality dark chocolate.

Vanilla extract. Vanilla gives these vegan brownies added depth - use a good quality extract, not essence.

Cornstarch. Cornstarch (corn flour) is a little secret weapon to creating fudgy vegan brownies with a crisp outer. It also helps to bind the batter.

Know Your Cocoa

Cocoa powder is finely ground, partially defatted cocoa solids. It is available in two forms, alkalised or non-alkalised.

Alkalised, aka Dutch Process: Dutch process cocoa is treated with an alkali to neutralise its acids. It does not react with baking soda alone so it can only be used in recipes calling for baking powder.

The exception is when there are enough acidic ingredients in the recipe to react with the baking soda.

Dutch process cocoa is darker than natural cocoa, has a smoother, mellower flavour and dissolves more easily in liquids.

Non-Alkalized, aka Natural Cocoa: Natural cocoa is untreated cocoa powder that has a more acidic taste. This is generally the type you'll find in your supermarket.

How to Make Fudgy Vegan Brownies

You'll find full instructions and measurements in the recipe card at the bottom of the post.

Step 1. Combine the dry ingredients in a mixing bowl. Also combine the wet ingredients in a separate bowl.

Steps 2 and 3. Add the wet mixture to the dry and stir until just combined.

Two food images showing mixing and pouring brownie batter.

Step 4. Transfer the batter to a prepared baking pan. Smooth the batter out as best you can and pop the brownie in the oven to bake until just cooked.

Two food images showing batter in bowl and spread in baking pan.

Stop cooking when the middle is just set and only a few crumbs come away when tested with a skewer. Remove the brownies from the oven to cool completely.

Back away from the brownie. It will be worth the wait, I promise.

Chocolate brownies with melted chocolate.

Tips to Making The Perfect Fudgy Vegan Brownie

Brownies are simple perfection but there are a few tricks you can use to make yours work every time.

Use the best quality cocoa and vanilla you can manage. If you are after a quick fix, use what you have on hand but for a truly decadent, melt in your mouth brownie with deep, clean flavours, use the best quality ingredients you can afford.
Line your brownie pan with enough baking paper to hang over the edges creating little handles. This will make removing the cooked brownie so much easier.
Don't over-mix your brownie batter. Mix to combine and stop.
Leave the brownies to cool completely before you cut in to them. No cheating...back away slowly.
To make brownies to die for, stir through a heap of chocolate chips or chunks.Besides giving you little pockets of melted chocolate, the additional chocolate makes the brownie super fudgy. The chocolate melts in to the batter as it bakes!
It is better to undercook a brownie than overcook it. Always.

How to Cut A Brownie Without it Smooshing

You are probably wondering why I'm telling you how to use a knife. You've been doing it since were 6, right?

Brownies are a different beast, that's why. All that gooeyness makes cutting a little trickier. So to get those lovely brownie squares:

Wait until the brownies have cooled completely
Take a good heavy, chef's knife and run it under hot water for 15 seconds before cutting.
Wipe the knife clean between each cut.

I am all for eating brownies straight out of the pan with a spoon but if you want the squares, follow these steps.

Recipe Notes

I have made these brownies in 2 different sized pans. When using my 21cm x 18 cm (8 x 7 inches) pan I bake the brownies for around 43 minutes - it's a deeper pan. My longer 27.9 x 17.3cm (11 x 7) is more shallow so I only bake for around 35 minutes (pictured)
Add a sprinkle of salt flakes to the brownies and maybe some chopped pecans and drizzled chocolate. With brownies, more is just more.

FAQs

Can I make these brownies gluten-free?

You can! I've had feedback from readers that Bob's Red Mill 1 to 1 baking flour works great in this recipe.

If you after a "tested" gluten-free brownies recipe, try this one from Angela at Oh She Glows. I made this so many times when I first went vegan so I can whole-heartedly attest to its awesomeness.

How will I know the brownie is ready?

Begin checking your brownie at least 5-minutes before the recommended cook time.

Check by inserting a skewer in the centre of the brownie - you are looking for a few crumbs or the tiniest touch of moist batter. If the brownie is still liquidy, give it a few more minutes and try again.

Remember, the brownie will continue to cook once it is removed from the oven. Undercooked is always better.

How do I store the brownies?

Store your brownies in the refrigerator in a sealed container for up to a week. Simply warm them a little in the microwave for 20 seconds if you want to serve them warm. Or leave them on the counter to come to room temperature.

Can I freeze them?

You can. After they are completely cooled and ready to cut, either wrap them individually in parchment paper and foil (or a zip-lock bag) or wrap the entire slab before cutting.

Pop the brownies in the freezer for up to six months.

To thaw the entire slab, take it from the freezer and thaw at room temperature for an afternoon. Do the same for brownie squares but the thawing process will take less time.

I'm sorry, did I hear you say you need more chocolate? You are my kind of person.

Want more plant based-goodness?

Subscribe to my newsletter and follow along on Facebook, Pinterest and Insta for all the latest news. If you like this recipe, please check out my cookbook "Great Vegan Meals for the Carnivorous Family" It's full of simple, carnivore-approved family recipes.