In the world of chocolate lovers brownies are at the top of the list! Brownies are a fudgy, chocolaty, chewy cake that is just plain irresistible, but with most recipes, you will enjoy all that goodness at a cost. I’m about to show how to enjoy a delicious brownie, that’s a lot healthier, it’s this vegan salted caramel brownie, and it’s oh so good!
The traditional Brownie
Yes, traditional brownies are good, but all that goodness comes with A LOT of sugar! Most recipes I checked out had 2 even 3 cups of sugar, a cup or two of chocolate chips and 2-4 sticks of butter! Wow, I don’t know about you but that amount of sugar and butter is excessive!
Even when I checked out a “good brand” of brownie mix it had artificial flavors (which can have lots of ingredients hidden within that name) and soybean oil which can result in inflammation….. but that may not be the worst of it. This box of brownies had 19grams of sugar per serving with 16 servings per box. That added up to an insane amount of sugar per box….. 304 GRAMS!! According to Dr. Axe sugar is the number 1 cause for obesity and can also cause horrible things heart disease, type 2 diabetes, cancers and more!
Ok, I hope you’re ready to give up on the traditional brownie and take a look at my healthier recipe!
Making a simple healthier brownie!
My simple one-bowl recipe for brownies replaces butter or inflammatory vegetable oils for heart-healthy coconut oil and plant-based milk. I add chia seeds in place of an egg and reduce the sugar by a cup or more!
The topping for these brownies is the victory! It’s made with maple syrup and coconut cream that’s been reduced down with an added touch of pink salt and vanilla. You can be creative and add touches of spices like cardamom, cinnamon, or even orange zest! I love this caramel sauce, and it beats eating the traditional caramel sauce that’s also delish, but made by simmering sugar, and heavy cream.
These vegan salted caramel brownies are great perfect for entertaining, and there are so many choices to top these with!
Here are some simple topping ideas!
- Nuts
- Whipped coconut cream
- Ice cream
- Chocolate chips
- Raspberries
- Cherries
For other simple vegan desserts check out these Gluten-Free Pecan Pie Bars!
I like to use raw cacao powder which is full of health benefits v/s processed cocoa powder. Buy raw cacao powder here!
Vegan Salted Caramel Brownies
Ingredients
Brownie Cups
- 1 cup unbleached flour
- ⅓ cup melted coconut oil refined
- ¾ cup cane sugar
- 1 cup plant-based milk I use coconut
- 1 tablespoon chia seeds soak in milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup cacao powder see what I use above in post
- ¼ teaspoon pink salt or sea salt
- ½ cup dark chocolate chips I use dairy-free
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
Vegan Caramel sauce
- ⅓ cup maple syrup
- 3 tablespoon coconut cream from a can of coconut milk
- ⅛ teaspoon pink salt or sea salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
Brownie Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350
- Grease 10 regular-size muffin tins. (I brush with refined coconut oil)
- If coconut oil isn't liquid, melt in a saucepan.
- Pour milk into a cup, stir in chia seeds and set aside.
- In a medium bowl whisk together flour, sugar, salt, cacao powder, and baking powder.
- With a wooden spoon mix in milk/chia mix, melted oil, vanilla, and chocolate chips.
- When all the ingredients are incorporated well, spoon brownie mix into muffin tins to about ¾ way full.
- Bake at 350 for 20-25 minutes or until knife inserted comes in clean.
- After you pull them out of the oven and they are still warm take a cup with a small bottom or the back side of another muffin pan and press down lightly to make little cups (like pictured above)
Vegan Caramel Sauce
- In a small saucepan measure in maple syrup and heat over medium heat.
- Whisk in coconut cream, salt, and vanilla.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer.
- Allow it to simmer 5-7 minutes. It will get very bubbly and start to look thicker.
- Turn off heat and let it set to thicken up a bit.
- Fill cups with caramel sauce and serve! (For topping ideas look above in post)
