Ready for crispy edges, fudgy middles, and a deep rich chocolate flavor? These thick, fudgy brownies are all that and more. Here is your new go-to Dairy Free Brownies recipe.
You'll enjoy this homemade recipe more than the box mixes, and these are as incredibly easy to make.
This will be the only brownie recipe you'll ever need.
For years we've enjoyed a popular box mix recipe. Then they quietly updated their prepackaged brownie mix. After the recipe update we noticed their brownies suddenly weren't as mouthwatering as before.
And we needed a homemade brownie recipe with all the same wonderful deep chocolate flavors, crispy edges, and thick fudgy middles everyone loves.
After trying out several different from scratch recipes we came across a fudgy brownie recipe from Rachel Ray, who, BTW, we absolutely love.
We made the needed substitutions to keep our recipe gluten, dairy, and soy free. Batch after batch we fell even more in love with this recipe.
Seriously-- we will never purchase a brownie box mix again. Our homemade recipe tastes so much more rich, decadent and fudgy than any box mix you can buy.
Why Make Homemade Dairy Free Brownies?
- It's cheaper in the long run to make homemade brownies over the boxed kinds
- This is a one pot brownie recipe, making clean up super easy
- These are still full of deep chocolate flavor and are fudgy --- and won't change after years of loving them
- You already have these pantry staple ingredients on hand
- Brownies are a great way for kids to start learning to make gluten and dairy free desserts
- These are oil free- no vegetable oil, canola oil, olive oil, or coconut oil needed
Ingredients and brand suggestions
Get more info on all of these simple ingredients in the recipe card below at the bottom of the post. This is a list of all the ingredients and the brands we suggest using that are gluten and dairy free.
Many people ask for our brand suggestions, so here they are:
- dairy free butter-- our go-to is Earth Balance Buttery Sticks
- granulated sugar
- vanilla extract-- here is the gluten free brand we use
- kosher salt
- eggs
- gluten and dairy free Dutch processed cocoa-- the original Rachel Ray recipe calls for unsweetened cocoa powder however we only use Dutch processed cocoa in this recipe. Keep scrolling for our recommendation and manufacturing statement. This is the star ingredient for truly the best tasting brownies.
- gluten free all-purpose flour-- use the spoon and level method. We love using Bob's Red Mill Gluten Free 1 to 1 Baking Mix in this recipe. It does contain xanthan gum in the blend. We purchase this baking mix in bulk here to save money. If you want to use a different gluten-free flour blend you can.
- xanthan gum-- omit this if your gluten free all-purpose flour contains this or guar gum
- optional add-ins-- top the batter with Enjoy Life Mega Chocolate Chunks before baking or chocolate chips
- dairy free ice cream-- we love topping our warm, out of the oven fudgy brownies with So Delicious Vanilla Bean Ice Cream or their peanut butter brownie flavor
- frosting option-- these brownies taste amazing frosted with our vanilla buttercream frosting too
Helpful Kitchen Tools
- non stick spray-- we use grapeseed nonstick spray
- 8x8-inch square baking pan-- we use this exact Pyrex baking dish with lid all the time in our kitchen for everything including dinner dishes and desserts
- Measuring cup and spoons
- Parchment paper
- Saucepan
- Whisk
- Wire rack
How to Make Dairy Free Brownies
Here are the easy instructions on how to make the gluten free brownies (dairy free too)
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Spray an 8x8-inch square baking pan with nonstick spray or line with parchment paper; set aside.
- This recipe moves along quite quickly, we suggest have ingredients premeasured and set aside.
- With a large saucepan over medium heat melt the butter. Remove from heat so the mixture does not become excessively hot.
- Then add in the sugar and vanilla and whisk until well blended, about 1 minute.
- Next, add in the eggs one at a time; whisk in between each egg.
- Lastly add in the cocoa powder, flour, and xanthan gum if needed; stir until just blended.
- Transfer the brownie batter to the prepared pan and bake in the preheated oven for 40-45 minutes or a cake tester comes out clean.
- Allow brownies to cool on a wire rack.
- Cut and serve brownies.
Storage
Any leftover brownies can be covered with plastic wrap or placed in an airtight container and kept on the counter at room temperature for up to a week.
Individual brownies can be wrapped in plastic or placed in clear cellophane bags and would be the perfect thing to sell at a bake sale!
Tips
- Keep in mind that the baking dish that you choose may require more baking time or less time. A metal pan may require more time and may not bake as evenly as a glass pan for these gluten free dairy free chocolate brownies.
- This is a very easy recipe. You can jazz it up a bit by adding some dairy free dark chocolate chunks or dairy free white chocolate chips. You could also use dairy-free chocolate chips for the perfect brownie.
- When adding the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients in step 6, don't over stir the batter or you'll end up with stiff dairy-free brownies, not the fudgy, gooey brownies that we enjoy.
- If you want to store these in the refrigerator, cover the brownies with plastic and aluminum foil before storing.
- As tempting as it may be, do not eat the raw gluten-free brownie batter.
FAQ frequently asked questions
We prefer the Dutch process cocoa over natural cocoa for several reasons for this fudgy gluten-free brownie recipe.
First, while the natural cocoa can at times taste bitter in recipes, we find the
Dutch process cocoa flavor actually intensifies the chocolate taste you would expect in a recipe like this.
While treating the cocoa with an alkaline solution, the flavor of the Dutch process cocoa also darkens as the acidity is neutralized.
That's why you notice how dark these brownies look, so rich and decadent-looking with a deep color versus the much lighter natural cocoa coloring.
We use and recommend the Dutch processed Rodelle Gourmet Baking Cocoa. You'll almost always find a bag in our pantry.
And while the bag states it is processed in a facility which processes wheat, soy and milk, we've reached out to the company about this. Here is their reply:
"Rodelle takes great care to prevent cross-contamination by following an allergen control testing program. Upon completion of any allergen containing product, all equipment is cleaned and visibly checked for
cleanliness. The equipment is also swabbed using ATP technologies. All ATP swabs must measure or the equipment is re-cleaned. Periodically, equipment is tested with ELISA technology to validate cleaning as well."
They are also a peanut and tree-nut free facility.
Or use your go-to Dutch processed cocoa.
However, if you need to replace the Dutch-processed cocoa powder in this recipe or another, use an equal amount of unsweetened cocoa powder.
Then, knock back the acidity by adding ⅛ teaspoon of baking soda for every 3 tablespoons of cocoa powder used.
Yes! These fudgy brownies can be baked a day or two ahead of serving. They don't lose any of their delicious flavors.
Absolutely. We serve this recipe doubled in our 9x13-inch pan often. Adjust the bake time.
While we haven't personally tested this, we have a loyal reader who tried this and said that she successfully made egg free brownies with this recipe using her favorite egg substitutes.
We would say that if you plan to make this a vegan brownie recipe and not use eggs to try your favorite egg replacement the first time you make them and see how they turn out.
It may be a bit of an experiment for you to find the egg replacement that you like the most to help you craft the perfect texture for your allergen friendly brownies, but you will get there.
These really are the best gluten-free brownies, way better than anything you can buy at the grocery stores. The next time you need a dessert, make the best gluten-free brownie recipe and enjoy every bite of your dairy free brownies with the perfect fudgy texture.
The best part is you know the ingredients and you know they'll be safe to enjoy for any chocolate lover.
more dessert recipes you will love
- oatmeal chocolate chip cookies-- loaded with oats and semi-sweet chocolate chips, these cookies are absolute perfection
- no bake cookies-- delicious bits of chocolate and peanut butter-covered oats formed into round shaped cookies that melt in your mouth
- classic apple crisp-- sweet apples with a brown sugar cinnamon oat crumble topping with a scoop of dairy free vanilla ice cream. The result is irresistible.
- brownie cookies-- here's another delicious brownie recipe in a cookie form
- frozen hot chocolate-- cool off with this refreshing slushy. It has wee little bits of chopped ice blended together with a mouthwatering cocoa mixture, then loaded with swirls of creamy whipped topping and chocolate shavings for a new favorite.
- s'mores pizza-- this recipe is packed full of melted semi-sweet chocolate and toasted golden brown mini marshmallows over a chewy graham cracker crust. It's so good.
- oreo brownie cookie-- this copycat Crumbl cookie recipe is a legit must-try
- strawberry poke cake-- imagine vanilla cake with poked holes throughout the top, then soaked with strawberry jello. Next a creamy, cold whipped topping is added with loads of fresh, sweet sliced strawberries.
- softest chocolate chip cookies-- these mouthwatering chocolate chip cookies are amazing. We eat them right off the cookie sheet.
lastly
This recipe is loaded with moist, thick, fudgy chocolate brownies. They are an incredible indulgence you won't believe is so easy to make in your own kitchen.
And this is a one-pot recipe-- meaning your kitchen won't be a disaster to clean up after popping this batter into the oven.
Serve these brownies as is or top with a scoop of ice cream, or buttercream frosting and sprinkles.
Speaking of frosting-- did you know we have easy to follow cake tutorials on our website too? Such as this ice cream cone cake, trendy sprinkle cake, and even this moist pineapple cake.
Easy gluten free and dairy free Brownies
Ingredients
- 1½ sticks dairy free butter suggestion in post
- 1¾ cups granulated sugar
- 1½ teaspoons vanilla extract
- 3 eggs
- 1 cup Dutch process cocoa powder see post for details
- ⅓ cups gluten free all-purpose flour spoon and level method, suggestion in post
- ½ teaspoon xanthan gum omit if your gf all-purpose blend contains this or guar gum
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Spray an 8x8-inch square baking pan with nonstick spray or line with parchment paper; set aside.
- This recipe moves along quite quickly, we suggest have ingredients premeasured and set aside.
- With a large saucepan over medium heat melt the butter. Remove from heat so the mixture does not become excessively hot.
- Then add in the sugar and vanilla and whisk until well blended, about 1 minute.
- Next add in the eggs one at a time; whisk in between each egg.
- Lastly add in the cocoa powder, flour, and xanthan gum if needed; stir until just blended.
- Transfer the brownies to the baking pan and bake for 40-45 minutes or a cake tester comes out clean.
- Allow brownies to cool on a wire rack.
- Cut and serve brownies.
- Cover any leftover brownies and keep on the counter up to a week.
- Optional-- serve with a scoop of dairy free ice cream or frost with dairy free buttercream frosting and sprinkles.
Jamie
Wednesday 14th of December 2022
These are amazing! They are so good that my husband, who eats gluten and dairy and doesn’t even like chocolate, kept eating them. Next time I’ll make a double batch! They definitely sank in the middle, but I think maybe I pulled them from the hot oven to the cold kitchen too quickly. I’ll try leaving them for a bit with the oven off and door ajar before taking them out. It definitely didn’t hurt the taste, though!
Liz
Tuesday 21st of September 2021
Can this be made egg free?
Jill
Wednesday 29th of September 2021
Thank you for reaching out. Unfortunately we haven't tried this recipe with egg substitutions or without eggs. Jill
Winni
Tuesday 7th of September 2021
I'm a HUGE fan of brownies so I'll be sure to check out your recipe. It sounds wonderful!
Jill
Wednesday 8th of September 2021
We hope you absolutely love this recipe. Jill