Chocolate Crunch Brownies are rich with chips of chocolate in every bite. 24 huge squares and they couldn’t be easier. Dust a sugar heart for some love.
Chocolate seems to be such a comforting treat. If I am ever wondering what to make as a dessert it is almost always chocolate. It just seems a safe bet for everyone.
Chocolate Crunch Brownies is made a bit healthier which makes my family happy but it also delivers all the bells and whistles to your taste buds.
Company was over a couple of days ago and I had these brownies on hand. They didn’t hesitate when I offered a plate full. I hadn’t put hearts on every piece and the four year old wanted to make sure he got one with a heart. Smart boy!
Pull out a big mixing bowl and stir up a huge stack of delicious Chocolate Crunch Brownies.
Chocolate Crunch Brownies
Chocolate Crunch Brownies are rich with chips of chocolate in every bite.
Ingredients
- 1 cup nondairy milk
- 1/2 cup coconut oil
- 2 egg substitutes - I used chia eggs - *see below on how to prepare chia eggs)
- 1 1/2 cup coconut sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup whole wheat flour
- 1 cup unbleached flour
- 1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons Fair Trade cocoa powder
- 2 teaspoons instant coffee - finely ground
- 2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- pinch sea salt
- 1 cup chocolate chips - Fair Trade
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar for dusting the hearts. - organic
Instructions
- Lightly oil a 9x13" baking pan
- Mix the egg substitute and set aside. Follow package directions or use chia eggs. Here is how you use chia seeds. 1 Tablespoon chia flour and 3 Tablespoons water. To make the flour you need to grind chia seeds to a fine meal. The flour keeps perfectly in the freezer for future use.
- In a large bowl add the nondairy milk, coconut oil, prepared egg substitute, sugar and vanilla extract.
- Beat at medium speed with an electric mixer for about a minute or two until well mixed. Scraping down a couple of times.
- To the same bowl add flour, cocoa powder, instant coffee, baking soda, cinnamon and salt.
- Mix until well blended, scrapping down the sides.
- Fold in the chocolate chips.
- Spoon into the prepared baking pan and smooth evenly.
- Bake at 350° for 40 to 45 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Let cool on a wire rack for about 15 minutes.
- Turn out onto a cutting board and cut into 24 squares. 4 across and 6 down with squares being a little bit bigger than 2" square.
- Fold a heavier piece of stock paper in half and cut out a half heart shape that is smaller that 2" high.
- Open up the paper and you will see your pretty heart shape.
- Put about 1 tablespoon of powdered sugar in the dusting wand and set aside.
- Lay the heart shape in the center of a cut brownie square.
- Dust the powdered sugar over your cutout and carefully lift straight up.
- Continue until you are done with your hearts.
- Keep in an airtight container in or out of the fridge.
Recipe Notes
IF FREEZING: You may freeze the brownies in any of the methods shown in my article http://veganinthefreezer.com/preparing-food-for-the-freezer/. They defrost quickly so it really doesn’t take any planning. Just put them in the refrigerator to defrost overnight or set out on a plate and it will take an hour or so to defrost.
Juli Meyers says
These looks go pretty and delicious.
Marie | Yay! For Food says
The powdered sugar hearts are such a nice touch for these delicious looking brownies! I would love a slice!
Jillian says
I love chocolate chunks or chips in my brownies!
Calleigh - TheForkBite says
These brownies look so cute with the addition of heart-shaped sugar. And that 4 year old boy is so smart 🙂
Ginny McMeans says
Thanks for the information! Coconut oil is the best – for so many reasons 🙂
Nutmeg Nanny says
What delicious looking brownies! I love using coconut oil in my baking because it insures everything will come out super moist.
Ginny McMeans says
Hahaha Kirsten! Smart husband too 🙂
Kirsten/ComfortablyDomestic says
The four year old is smart! I would’ve gravitated to the hearts as well. My husband prefers his brownies with an added crunch of chocolate chips. He’d love these!
Ginny McMeans says
Thanks so much Renee! Being the artist that you are I really appreciate it 🙂
Renee - Kudos Kitchen says
These look incredibly rich and flavorful. I especially love the dusted hearts on top for contrast. Very pretty!
Ginny McMeans says
Thanks Erin. I always try to make sweets healthier with a few changes – it works most of the time 🙂
Ginny McMeans says
Ha Anna! They are all gone here too. 🙂
Erin @ Texanerin Baking says
I love that you made them healthier! And whole wheat. 🙂 Those little hearts are so cute and Cookies for Kids’ Cancer sounds like such a great cause.
Anna @ Crunchy Creamy Sweet says
I will be craving these all day!
Ginny McMeans says
Me too Angie – the flavor is so good. Thanks so much too!
Ginny McMeans says
I did want to make them special Theresa! Thanks so much.
Ginny McMeans says
Thank you Erren!
Ginny McMeans says
Great Beth! That is saying a lot. You have got to get the dusting wand.
Ginny McMeans says
🙂 Thank you Paula!
Ginny McMeans says
Thanks Joanie! It really is helpful – I love it too! Quality, of course. 🙂
Ginny McMeans says
Thanks Lauren! That dusting wand really helps make things confined. Yes, love the charity!
Ginny McMeans says
Thanks so much Ashley!
Angie | Big Bear's Wife says
Those hearts on the brownies are too cute! Love chocolate treats that are made with coconut sugar!
The Food Hunter says
the sugar hearts make these extra special
Erren @Erren's Kitchen says
Wow, these look fantastic! 🙂
Beth says
The powdered hearts are so ridiculously cute, I can see myself making these!!
Paula - bell'alimento says
What a great idea to add the heart! I’d love two please ; )
Joanie @ Zagleft says
Ginny, these are the cutest brownies I’ve ever seen! I’ve got to get my hands on the powdered sugar duster – I love that!
lauren Kelly Nutrition says
Oh I just love these so much! How adorable are those hearts! And what a great charity too!
Ashley @ Wishes and Dishes says
Chocolate is SO comforting – you’re right! Everyone is always happy when I bring chocolate 🙂 Love this version of brownies!
Ginny McMeans says
That is so true Kacey! Vegan baking is fantastic and I do it often too. 🙂
Ginny McMeans says
Thanks Kimberly! There are so rich – 🙂
Kacey @ The Cookie Writer says
Ohhh, I love the crunch factor! Vegan brownies always turn out so well (I honestly don’t see a difference between them and regular brownies so I am okay making the vegan brownie variant often!) I may have to use that heart idea for Valentine’s Day!
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Wow, these look gorgeous! Love the combination of chocolate, cinnamon and coconut oil!