Several months ago, my publishing team let me know about an exciting idea that Indigo had proposed for my two cookbooks. They’ve been so thrilled with your response to the books (as have I!) that they’ve created a special-edition OSG boxed set, available just before the holiday season kicks off. When they asked me I was like, hmm…let me think about it….YES!! Lol.
Shortly after, the mock-up arrived on my doorstep. It was like Christmas morning!
This one above is just the mock-up version…the pages are literally glued to the box by hand. The real thing will look even better, but I wanted to give you an idea. It makes such a gorgeous gift!
To celebrate, Indigo is having a pre-order SALE on the boxed set this week! It’s 40% off (until Oct. 22nd), and also qualifies for free shipping within Canada.
To keep this celebration going with FOOD (cuz you know that’s what we do), I’m happy to share today’s recipe— a rendition of my Ultimate Flourless Brownies with Magic No-Cook Caramel from Oh She Glows Every Day. I’ve had a lot of requests for one- or two-serving desserts, and many of you have told me that you love these brownies. Soooooo…it seemed like a no-brainer to start with this dessert. The brownies are vegan, grain-free, and oil-free, and they turn out wonderfully chewy, dense, and chocolaty. You can also make them soy-free simply by using a soy-free chocolate, such as Enjoy Life brand.
If you’re planning a quiet Halloween in with a pal, it would be a wonderful option. Heck, if you’re planning a wild night out, just make this earlier in the day. Actually, make them now….yes, make them right this second.
You can make one big brownie as I’ve done here using a 4-inch ramekin, or you can use two smaller 3-inch ramekins. A cupcake tin (with liners) also works! If you’re going to make smaller portions, I recommend baking them for less time as they’ll bake much faster.
Featuring all new, protein-packed salads, hearty toppers, flavour boosters, and dressings you'll want to drink, my new cookbook will transform the way you think about salads. Oh, and be sure to flip to the back for a surprise dessert chapter!
Ultimate Flourless Brownies for Two
Yield
2 servings
Prep time
Cook time
Total time
This two-serving brownie is fudgy and dense with a firm edge, and thanks to the almond butter base, there isn’t a stitch of flour! The nuttiness of the almonds and chopped dark chocolate enhance its rich chocolate flavour. This is a fantastic dessert when you want a decadent treat without being taunted by a pan of leftover brownies in the kitchen. (But if you do, see the full-sized brownie and caramel recipes in my second cookbook, Oh She Glows Every Day.)
Ingredients
For the brownies:
- 1 1/2 teaspoons (4 g) ground flax
- 1 tablespoon (15 mL) water
- 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
- Scant 1/8 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon (20 mL) pure maple syrup
- 1/2 teaspoon (2.5 mL) pure vanilla extract
- 2 teaspoons (5 g) arrowroot starch
- 2 tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons (17 g) unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 tablespoons (28 g) natural cane sugar
- 1/4 cup (60 mL) natural smooth almond butter
- 2 tablespoons (20 g) chopped dark chocolate or choc. chips
For the Magic No-Cook Caramel:
- 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon (20 mL) coconut oil, melted
- 2 tablespoons (30 mL) pure maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon (15 mL) raw cashew butter
- 1 teaspoon (5 mL) coconut nectar or pure maple syrup*
- A good pinch of fine sea salt
Directions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C) and place the oven rack in the middle position. Lightly grease a 4-inch ramekin (or two small, 3-inch ramekins) with oil.
- In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the ground flax and water. Let it sit for a couple of minutes.
- To the flax mixture, add the salt, baking soda, maple syrup, vanilla, and arrowroot starch; whisk vigorously until smooth.
- Add the cocoa powder and sugar; stir with a spoon until combined. The batter will be very thick.
- Stir in the almond butter and chopped chocolate until thoroughly combined. Mix the dough for 30 to 60 seconds, until you can’t see any “ribbons” of almond butter in the dough.
- Scoop the dough into the prepared ramekin(s). Press down on the dough with your fingers until even and smooth.
- Place the ramekin(s) directly onto the rack, and bake for about 22 to 25 minutes, until the brownie has risen nicely, but is still soft to the touch. When it’s ready, the middle will still look a bit underdone. A toothpick inserted into the middle won’t come out clean. Shortly after removing from the oven, the middle will sink, but this is all normal. Pinky swear!
- Place the ramekin(s) on a cooling rack for about 25 to 30 minutes.
- Meanwhile, prepare the Magic No-Cook Caramel Sauce. Add all of the caramel sauce ingredients into a mini food processor, and process until smooth. Or you can simply add it to a small bowl and beat it with an electric mixer. Transfer to a small jar.
- You can serve the brownie in the ramekin, or you can slide a knife around the edge and carefully pop it onto a plate. Serve it with a scoop of ice cream (totally optional), a drizzle of caramel sauce, and a small pinch of coarse sea salt. I like to scatter on some toasted walnuts for a little crunch, too.
- Any leftover brownie (I doubt you’ll have any, though!) can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for a few days. You can also wrap the cooled brownie individually in tin foil and place it into an airtight container or bag in the freezer for 3 to 4 weeks. If you have leftover caramel sauce, it’ll keep in an airtight container in the fridge for a week or so.
Tip:
* The coconut nectar has a slightly tangy flavour which is why it works well in this caramel sauce, but if you don’t have any on hand feel free to use maple syrup in its place. It’ll work just fine!
The caramel sauce makes 1/4 cup (60 mL). If you don't want that much, you can cut the recipe in half and whisk everything by hand in a small bowl.
Nutrition Information
(click to expand)
As always, you can find this recipe in The Oh She Glows Recipe App (on iOS and Android). Happy baking!
Is it okay to triple the recipe and make them in a pan?
Hi Gwenyth, I haven’t tried doubling or tripling this recipe yet, but if you do I’d love to hear how it goes!
I seriously cannot get enough of these. I’ve been slowly cutting dairy and eggs out of my diet for a while now but have not found a decent brownie recipe. Until now. I have made these three times now- they are awesome. I don’t have the arrowroot on hand so I sub cornstarch and they turn out fantastically. These are everything a brownie should be! Thank you!
Hey Carla, I’m so glad you love these so much (and that cornstarch works well too). Thanks for sharing!
Totally delicious. Thank you for the mentioning the middle sinks in. I knew I didn’t do it wrong =) I will definitely make again, and the caramel sauce YUM
Hey Kate, thank you! Aren’t these brownies just to die for? I’m totally craving one now…. Thank you again!
can i make the whole thing ahead and then pop it in the oven just before serving?
Hey Patty, I can’t see why not as long as it’s not made-ahead so far in advance that it dries out. I would let it come to room temperature before baking so it doesn’t throw off the bake time too much. I’d love to hear how it goes!
Can I bake these ahead of time (morning) and serve in the evening? Would love to make these for Christmas dinner!
Hi Kylie, you sure can! You can store the brownies in an airtight container in the fridge for a few days. The caramel sauce will also keep just fine in the fridge…I’d just recommend storing it separately so you can drizzle on top when serving. You could also try baking it for a few minutes less and then, just before serving, pop it in the oven for 5-6 minutes or so and warm it back up! I’d love to hear how it goes :)
Hi there – I’m making this for a friend of mine who can’t digest flax. I was planning to substitute with eggs (neither of us are vegan but we love your recipes!).
The recipe I’m following is actually from your book where the batch is bigger. You call for 1 TB + 1.5 tsp ground flax and 3 TBS water. Any guess as to how many eggs I might use?
Possible to add instant coffee to recipe? What’s your thoughts on that addition with flavor/texture? Thank you!
Fantastic, like so many of your recipes. You have a true gift, Angela Gliddon. Our family is indebted.
Very yummy, quick and simple to make.