A fudgey gluten free brownie recipe that tastes just like the real deal.
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Not all brownies are created equal:
So fruit is great and all. I love a good crumble, or a tart key lime pie but my heart belongs to chocolate - dark, rich and fudgey chocolate. You would think such a humble treat would be a cinch to find a recipe for. It's mostly pantry staples after all. Not so, my friend, not so. I have tried quite a few duds before giving up the search and picking up my spatula.
Let's breakdown the must haves:
- A crackled, crisp top
- A fudge like, gooey interior
- Packed with chocolate chips to get that oozing chocolate madness we all live for (just me?)
And not only are these gluten free brownies all of the above but they're a snap to make. One bowl recipes are number one in my kitchen. I'm one of those unlucky people who feel its necessary to wash all the dishes before they go in the dishwasher. So in this kitchen equation less dishes equals lots of good vibes.
If you are in a pinch and just can't be bothered with a brownie recipe my favorite gluten free brownie mix right now is Betty Crocker.
Tips for perfect gluten free fudge brownies:
- Only microwave the butter, chocolate and cocoa powder until it's starting to melt then stir until it melts all the way. This way your chocolate isn't piping hot and you don't have to sit around waiting to add your eggs. Why can't you add eggs to piping hot chocolate you say? Because instead of brownie batter you will have chocolate scrambled eggs. Even Sam I am wouldn't eat those suckers. Yuck. Plus we don't want to burn our chocolate.
- Only add each ingredient until it is incorporated and no more. The more you beat it the more its going to take on a cake like texture and we want oozing, fudgey chocolate insanity.
- Don't over bake it. My brownies took exactly 30 minutes to bake. The top will look crackled and the edges will look brown and crisp.
- Use leavening. Baking powder isn't a common brownie ingredient. I like to add it because it causes the brownies to rise a smidge while baking and then sink when you take them out of the oven ultimately causing more crackage on the top and fudge in the center.
A gluten free brownie recipe must actually be gluten free ...
If you are making this recipe for a gluten free friend or new to the gluten free life make sure to check your cooking spray does not contain flour (some do!). Just recently they had them on display at the end of the aisle and I couldn't help but think "Aw man, one more thing I have to worry about".
Sometimes it feels like gluten is in everything. It's in sour candy belts and french fries for crying out loud.
I also use Ghiradelli chocolate for all my recipes because not only do they taste better than the other brands but they don't contain any gluten ingredients. They are not certified gluten free but I have Celiac Disease and have not had a reaction to them thus far.
Fortunately brownies don't call for much flour anyhow. It's super important in flour laden goodies like cakes to have a solid gluten free flour. My favorite brand is Bob's Red Mill 1:1 All Purpose Flour in the blue bag. It already contains xanthan gum for binding and it has no aftertaste.
Walmart was out so in this recipe I used King Arthur Gluten Free All Purpose Flour - still incredibly delicious. Next time I bake them I will go ahead and use almond flour to see how it does as well.
Can these be made into dairy free, gluten free brownies?
Yes, it's actually quite simple. Just a few easy substitutions for this to be a gluten free, dairy free brownies recipe.
Sub out plant, vegan or dairy free butter for regular butter and use dairy free chocolate chips. Fortunately nowadays there are a lot of options for this, especially at health food stores.
I won't lie to you. These are not healthy gluten free brownies. These are what I like to call healthy for the soul.
If you are a chocolate lover like myself be sure to check out these gluten free double chocolate cookies!
If you are looking for a vegan gluten free brownie recipe I would recommend this one by Minimalist Baker.
Gluten Free Brownie Recipe
Equipment
- Large microwave safe bowl
Ingredients
- 6 oz Butter or 12 Tablespoons cut into chunks
- ¼ cup Dark Chocolate Chips I used ghiradelli
- ½ cup Dark Cocoa Powder I used Hershey's
- 1 cup Granulated Sugar
- 2 eggs, large
- ½ cup All Purpose Gluten Free Flour
- 1 ½ t. baking powder
- ¼ t. kosher salt
- 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips I used ghiradelli
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and spray an 8 by 8 pan with nonstick cooking spray. Make sure there is no flour in your cooking spray.
- Put the butter and dark chocolate chips in a large microwave safe bowl and cook for 1 minute. Stir mixture up a bit then microwave again for 30 seconds. Add cocoa powder and stir.
- At this point everything should be melty and you can stir it up until the mixture is completely melted and smooth.
- Add all of the sugar and stir until well combined.
- Next add each egg one at a time and stir only until incorporated. Do not overstir!
- Add gluten free all purpose flour, baking powder and salt to mixture and stir until completely mixed together. Stir in semisweet chocolate chips.
- Scrape batter with a spatula into the greased 8 by 8 pan and spread evenly with spatula. Bake for 30 minutes until the top is cracked and a toothpick comes out clean. Mine took exactly 30 minutes.
Jessica
These taste amazing, but for some reason, my brownies had like a crackly sugary type of top? They completely crumbled. What did I do wrong? Thank you!
Carolyn
I am so glad you liked them! I haven't had this happen before. Did you make any substitutions to the recipe? If not I will plan to make them again this week and see what I can figure out.
Talia
Does the GF flour you used have xantham gum in it? The GF flour that I have does not have xantham gum in it. I’m trying to decide it I should add some. Thanks!
Carolyn
Yes it does. I think for this recipe you would only need 1/4 t. of xanthan gum if yours doesn't have any in it.