Brownies are an extravagance that the gluten-intolerant certainly do not have to live without! I am not talking about an ‘it’s OK, it’s a little grainy, it’s good the day you make it gluten-free brownie, I’m talking about the best brownies that you, your family, your friends have ever tasted and they are gluten-free! 

Chocolate Chip Brownies

There are several gluten-free brownie mixes on the market, but we find these to be typically ‘gluten-free’ in taste. Our home made brownies are simple to make and so much better than any mix, once you and your family try them, we’re sure you’ll never go back to a mix. 

As easy as brownies are to make, there are a few tips that will help to make them even better. 

The main ingredient in great brownies is chocolate. For the best results, use the best possible chocolate you can get. We like Scharffen Berger’s chocolate, although any good quality semi or bittersweet chocolate will do. (See our article, "Let’s Talk Chocolate’) 

Melt the chocolate in a double boiler over simmering water, slowly. Stir with a rubber spatula while the chocolate melts and remove it from the heat when the chocolate is almost melted, stirring off the heat until completely melted. 

Don’t over mix the batter. Over mixing will result in a dryer brownie. 

Let the brownies cool completely before cutting into squares. 

The star of our brownie repertoire is our ‘Decadent Brownies’. This recipe is sinfully delicious and impossible to keep in the house for any length of time. We think this is the best brownie recipe including all gluten brownie recipes! 

Decadent Brownies

Decadent Brownies 

*We used The Gluten-Free Pantry’s Country French Bread Mix as a straight substitution for flour in this recipe. 

Ingredients: 

• 3 sticks butter, sliced 
• 24 oz. semisweet gf chocolate 
• 6 eggs 
• 2-1/4 cups sugar 
• 1 Tablespoon gf vanilla 
• 3/4 cup gf flour 
• 3 cups roasted chopped walnuts 
• Powdered sugar as needed 

Directions: 

Preheat the oven to 400ºF. 

Pecan Caramel Brownies

Bring a large pan of water to the boil and reduce the heat to low. Place the butter in a large bowl. Put the bowl over the hot water but do not allow it to touch the water. Add the chocolate chips to the butter. Heat the chocolate until it begins to look glossy. Work the mixture with a rubber spatula. Remove the bowl from the hot water when the mixture is about half-way melted. Continue to work the chocolate while off the heat until smooth and glossy. 

In a large bowl, beat the eggs at high speed until slightly thickened. Gradually add the sugar to the eggs and beat until the mixture is pale and thick, about 5 minutes. On medium speed, add the cooled chocolate and vanilla to the eggs. 

Reduce the speed to low and gradually add the flour by spoonfuls. Blend briefly and stir in the nuts. 

Pour the batter into a buttered jelly roll pan and distribute it evenly with a rubber spatula. Place the pan on the middle rack of the oven. Reduce the heat to 375ºF. Bake for 30 to 40 minutes (for a soft to firm texture) or until a toothpick comes out clean when inserted in the center. Watch the brownies carefully towards the end of baking time to avoid burning the edges. 

Place the baking sheet over a wire rack to cool the brownies. Sprinkle them generously with powdered sugar. Cut and serve. Or you may cover the brownies with plastic wrap and store them overnight. Storing them over night will result in a more chewy texture. 

If you want a brownie that offers more than just chocolate try ‘Pecan Caramel Brownies’. These melt-in-your-mouth brownies fall somewhere between a divine candy and a devilish brownie, definitely a must try! 

‘Chocolate Chip Brownies’ are our answer to the perfect gluten-free chocolate chip cookie! Close your eyes, take a bite and you will think you are eating a classic chocolate chip cookie. ‘Low-Fat Brownies with Applesauce’ is not as rich as our other brownies but still very good and wonderful for those watching calories as well as gluten. 

These recipes are your answer to the gluten-free-phobic. Give them a taste, and then make them beg for more!

- Chef Jessica

ADVERTISEMENT