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gluten free brownies

Peppermint Hot Cocoa Brownies (DF + GF)

November 18, 2019 by Rachael Ng Leave a Comment

Peppermint Hot Cocoa Brownies

Peppermint Hot Cocoa Brownies

The weather is cooling down, the holidays are quickly approaching, and what’s better than a cozy mug of hot cocoa topped with marshmallows? Peppermint Hot Cocoa Brownies! These super rich chocolate brownies are flavored with peppermint extract and topped with a simple homemade peppermint marshmallow. In other words, forget about the hot cocoa (for tonight) and indulge in one of these festive brownies instead!

For this recipe I used my favorite base brownie recipe from Running with Spoons and paired it with a slightly altered version of Alton Brown’s Homemade Marshmallow Recipe. I’ve made marshmallows using a different recipe in the past and found myself disappointed with the taste. But this marshmallow topping has no funky gelatin flavor, isn’t too sweet, and has the perfect marshmallow texture! You can eat the brownies as-is or pop one in the microwave for a warm, gooey marshmallow brownie experience – this was my favorite way to eat these. And if you’re not a fan of peppermint, feel free to leave it out completely, replacing it with extra vanilla extract (or your extract of choice!).

Some of the ingredients I like for this recipe:

Coconut sugar is my go-to baking sweetener. It’s low GI, unrefined, and makes for a perfect substitute for white granulated sugar. And it tastes nothing like coconut! For a sweeter (less rich) brownie, feel free to use regular, white granulated sugar instead.

Chocolate chips (or chopped chocolate) lend moisture and lots of chocolate goodness to these brownies.

Eggs make for the perfect brownie texture. Trust me, I’ve tried multiple egg replacements in this recipe, and they do not work. So don’t even try.

Instant coffee granules are totally optional but will deepen the chocolate flavor and richness in the brownies. I highly recommend adding it if you’re looking for a rich brownie!

Arrowroot starch thickens the brownie batter while also keeping it free of grains and gluten – perfect for GF and non-GF eaters alike since the taste is undetectable!

White granulated sugar is necessary for the marshmallow topping! I don’t recommend any substitutes since this topping has been tested as-is and works as-is.

Agave makes for a better alternative to corn syrup, which is what most marshmallow recipes call for. It also has a very low GI, which is great considering the higher GI of the white sugar you’ll also be using.

More Chocolate Marshmallow Recipes

Marshmallow Hot Cocoa Cookies

Spicy Hot Cocoa Muffins

Rocky Road Brownie Cookies

Double Chocolate S’mores Cookies

Yield: 16 Brownies

Peppermint Hot Cocoa Brownies

Peppermint Hot Cocoa Brownies

Ultra rich and fudgy peppermint brownies topped with a layer of homemade peppermint marshmallow! The perfect treat for a cool, winter night!

Prep Time 1 hour
Cook Time 30 minutes
Additional Time 4 hours
Total Time 5 hours 30 minutes

Ingredients

Brownies

  • 1/3 cup coconut oil, measured as a solid (or 6 Tbsp olive oil)
  • 1 cup (175g) chocolate chips
  • 1 tsp instant coffee granules (optional)
  • 1/4 cup (20g) natural cocoa powder
  • 2 large eggs, room temp
  • 2/3 cup (110g) coconut sugar (or 150g white granulated sugar)
  • 1/2 tsp peppermint extract
  • 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 3 Tbsp (24g) corn starch (or arrowroot or tapioca starch)

Marshmallow

  • 6 Tbsp water, divided
  • 1 packet of gelatin powder
  • 2/3 cup (150g) white cane sugar
  • 3 Tbsp agave syrup
  • Pinch of salt
  • 1/8 tsp peppermint extract
  • 1/4 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions

Make the Brownie Base

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F and prepare an 8x8" baking pan with non-stick spray. Line your pan with parchment paper by cutting one long strip for the bottom and two sides - fold over and trim the excess paper to edge of pan. Bring your eggs to room temperature by placing them in a glass of warm water for around 10 minutes.
  2. Meanwhile, in a microwave-safe bowl, melt together the oil and chocolate chips, stirring the mixture every 15 seconds until chips are melted. Stir in the instant coffee and cocoa powder; set aside.
  3. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, add the eggs and sugar. Whisk on medium-high speed until thick and light in color. Whisk in the peppermint and vanilla extracts. Gently fold the chocolate mixture into the sugar and eggs. Add the salt and cornstarch and gently mix until just combined.
  4. Pour batter into prepared baking dish and bake at 350°F for 17-23 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the brownies comes out slightly gooey - you don't want to over bake! Allow the brownies to totally cool before making the marshmallow.

Make the Marshmallow

  1. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, add the gelatin and 3 Tbsp of the water. Give it a little stir and then allow it to thicken while you heat up your sugar.
  2. In a small saucepan, add the sugar, agave, salt, and the remaining 3 Tbsp of water. Gently swirl the pan to ensure sugar is totally saturated. Set heat to medium-high (or medium for a gas range) and bring the mixture to a boil. Use a candy thermometer to monitor the sugar's temperature. If your mixture begins to boil too high up the pan, you can use your thermometer to gently swirl the mixture back down or hold the pot up and over the heat. When the mixture reaches 240°F immediately remove from the heat.
  3. With your stand mixer running at low speed, slowly pour the hot sugar mixture into the gelatin. Turn the speed to high and whisk until mixture becomes white, thick, and fluffy. I like to wait until I see soft peaks. Immediately whisk in the peppermint and vanilla extracts.
  4. Pull the cooled brownies out the pan. Immediately spread the marshmallow over the brownies, using an offset icing spatula to spread and swirl it over the surface. Top with sprinkles, chocolate chips, or crushed peppermint candies.
  5. Allow marshmallow to set for at least 4 hours before slicing. For an easy, clean slice, I recommend running a sharp knife under HOT water, wiping clean with a towel, and then carefully slicing - you'll need to heat and carefully* wipe the knife between every slice (I used a thermos to hold the hot water, which allowed me to dip my knife each time). Slice into 9 or 16 brownies.
  6. Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature. I highly recommend popping a brownie into the microwave for a few seconds before enjoying!

*Be careful when wiping your knife - it's easy to accidentally slice your hand/fingers if you're holding the towel. I recommend setting the towel down and wiping.

Notes

Brownie recipe slightly adapted from Running with Spoons & Marshmallow recipe slightly adapted from Alton Brown

Recommended Products

As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.

  • KitchenAid Stand Mixer
    KitchenAid Stand Mixer
  • Icing Spatula
    Icing Spatula
  • 8-Inch Square Glass Baking Dish
    8-Inch Square Glass Baking Dish

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

16

Serving Size:

1

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 266Total Fat: 8gSaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 23mgSodium: 103mgCarbohydrates: 47gFiber: 1gSugar: 29gProtein: 2g

calculated nutrition information may not always be accurate

© Rachael | Sugared & Stirred
Cuisine: American / Category: Brownies

Did you make this recipe? I would love to see!

Tag @sugaredandstirred on Instagram and hashtag #sugaredandstirred

Filed Under: Bars, Brownies, Dairy-free, Gluten-free, Grain-free Tagged With: brownies with marshmallow topping, christmas brownies, dairy free brownies, gluten free brownies, holiday brownies, hot cocoa brownies, marshmallow brownies, mint brownies, peppermint brownies, peppermint hot cocoa brownies

Dark Chocolate Zucchini Brownies

August 19, 2019 by Rachael Ng 2 Comments

Fudgy and rich Dark Chocolate Zucchini Brownies topped with a sweet dark chocolate icing! These decadent squares are loaded with chocolate and the zucchini is undetectable!

Dark Chocolate Zucchini Brownies

Zucchini has to be one of my favorite add-ins to baked goods. Muffins, bread, and even cake can all be deliciously made with heaps of good-for-you zucchini! A green veggie in my desserts? Yep! Because who doesn’t want to feel a little bit better when indulging in something ooey gooey and ultra chocolatey?

These brownies are so decadent and fudgy, and with a thin layer of sweet dark chocolate frosting, you won’t be able to pass them up. And once you get the brownie-making method down, this recipe is really quite easy. The chocolate can be melted in the microwave, and if you have a stand mixer, the eggs and sugar can be left for a few minutes to whip while you shred your zucchini. Throw some extra chocolate chips into the batter for an irresistible triple chocolate brownie! 

Some of the Ingredients You’ll Need + Substitutions:

  • Chocolate chips are melted and added to the batter for a seriously fudgy brownie. I recommend semi-sweet chocolate chips.
  • Dutch process cocoa powder is darker in color and richer in flavor. Since there are no leavening agents in this recipe (baking soda, etc) you can also use regular cocoa powder in its place – your brownies just won’t be dark chocolate.
  • Eggs whip up with the sugar to create a fluffy batter which gives the brownies lift, negating the need for baking soda or powder. I haven’t tested this recipe with any egg alternatives.
  • Coconut sugar is an unrefined, low GI sugar. It tastes less sweet than white sugar, and makes for a great, better-for-you alternative. Feel free to use your favorite cane sugar instead – unrefined, white, or brown (lightly packed).
  • Arrowroot starch thickens the brownie batter and helps bind the brownies together. You can use cornstarch in its place.

More Zucchini Recipes:

Spiced Zucchini Cake

Healthier Zucchini Chocolate Chip Muffins

Gluten-Free Zucchini Chocolate Chip Muffins

Double Chocolate Zucchini Bread

Yield: 9-16 Brownies

Dark Chocolate Zucchini Brownies

Dark Chocolate Zucchini Brownies

Ultra fudgy brownies made with shredded zucchini and dark, Dutch-process cocoa powder. These chocolate-frosted squares are grain-free + dairy-free and totally irresistible!

Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Additional Time 1 hour
Total Time 2 hours 5 minutes

Ingredients

Brownies

  • 1 cup + 1/4 cup dairy-free chocolate chips, divided
  • 1/3 cup vegetable oil (I used olive oil)
  • 2 large eggs, room temp
  • 3/4 cup coconut sugar or cane sugar
  • 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 2 Tbsp Dutch-process cocoa powder
  • 1/4 cup arrowroot starch (or cornstarch)
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1 cup finely shredded zucchini, excess juice squeezed out (see Note 1)

Frosting

  • 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
  • 2 Tbsp Dutch-process cocoa powder
  • 1 Tbsp plant-based butter (or refined coconut oil), melted
  • 2 Tbsp plant-based milk

Instructions

  1. Bring your eggs to room temperature by placing them in a glass of warm water for around 10 minutes. Preheat your oven to 350°F. Line an 8x8" pan or baking dish with non-stick spray and parchment paper - I like to cut my parchment paper into two long pieces, criss-crossing them in the middle.
  2. Melt together 1 cup of the chocolate chips with the plant-based butter/oil in the microwave or using the double boiler method; stir and set aside.
  3. In a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, add the eggs and coconut sugar. Whisk on medium-high speed until the mixture becomes fluffy and light brown in color, adding the vanilla extract along the way.
  4. Gently fold the melted chocolate into the whisked egg mixture. Fold in the cocoa powder, arrowroot starch, and salt. Stir in the shredded zucchini and 1/4 cup of chocolate chips (optional) until combined.
  5. Bake brownies at 350°F for 30-35 minutes or until the center looks set. Allow brownies to cool for 10 minutes before making your frosting. In a small, microwave-safe bowl, combine the powdered sugar, cocoa powder, coconut oil or butter, and plant-based milk. Microwave the frosting until warm to the touch. Pour over warm brownies, tilting the pan until frosting is evenly distributed.
  6. Allow brownies to totally cool before slicing and serving. For clean cuts, use the excess parchment paper to remove the entire brownie square. Slice into 16 brownies, wiping your knife clean between each slice. Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature.

Notes

  1. Measure the shredded zucchini before squeezing out the excess juice. Finely shred your zucchini with the skin on. Place on a cheesecloth or paper towel and squeeze out and discard the juice.
  2. Dutch-process cocoa powder gives these brownies a richer, dark chocolate flavor. You can use regular cocoa powder, but the brownies won't be considered dark chocolate.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

16

Serving Size:

1

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 169Total Fat: 8gSaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 25mgSodium: 99mgCarbohydrates: 25gFiber: 1gSugar: 23gProtein: 2g

calculated nutrition information may not always be accurate

© Rachael | Sugared & Stirred
Cuisine: American / Category: Brownies

Did you make this recipe?

Tag @sugaredandstirred on Instagram and hashtag #sugaredandstirred

Filed Under: Bars, Brownies, Dairy-free, Gluten-free, Grain-free Tagged With: dairy free brownies, fudgy brownies, gluten free brownies, grain free brownies, veggie brownies, zucchini brownies

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Meet Rachael

Hi! I’m Rachael, a home baker who creates dairy-free, indulgent treats. As a sweets lover and former candy addict, I believe we shouldn’t have to give up everything we love in pursuit of wellness. That’s why I create delicious and approachable desserts that you can enjoy, in moderation, no matter your goals! Because, let’s face it, sometimes you just need a giant slice of frosted cake, sans guilt! Read More…

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