Vegan Chocolate Brownie

As a new vegan, I was apprehensive about baked goods. Every success seemed like a miracle, so it was only a matter of time before I was underwhelmed. I was heavily reliant on Colleen Patrick-Goudreau's The Joy of Vegan Baking, as I still am. She is surely the best beginning point for kind treats. However, her brownie recipe is not perfect. I was skeptical when I saw the applesauce and flaxseed in this recipe (I have all the time shuddered at healthifying my desserts), but I was new to this and Colleen was my guide, and I didn't know sufficient to ask questions.

Well, that was 7 months ago. This was not a bad brownie, but it wasn't a great brownie. I also comprehend that I have incredibly high standards for brownies, and am not satisfied with your midpoint offering. So, if you aren't as invested in a excellent brownie, then you may be happy with some of the recipes you'll see along the way. But, my journey is far from over. I have had some promising results, and some very disappointing ones, but it is all a step on the path to my dream brownie. So, result along with me on this decadent, dramatic, occasionally disappointing, but finally triumphant adventure!

Vegetarian Dishes

I've decided to furnish all the recipes, even for brownies that I deem unsuccessful, as it may aid you in adjusting the recipes to your own liking.

Chocolate Brownies

from Colleen Patrick Goudreau's The Joy of Vegan Baking

1 1/2 cups sugar
3/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
2 tablespoons water
2 teaspoons ground flaxseed (grind in a coffee grinder or spice mill; measure after it's ground))
1/2 cup water
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 1/3 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
3/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
Optional:
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
1 cup chopped nuts

Heat the oven to 350º. Grease an 8" x 8" baking pan. Couple applesauce, sugar, and 2 tablespoons water in a medium bowl. In a food processor or blender, blend the ground flaxseed and 1/2 cup water. Add this and the vanilla to the applesauce mixture. In a large bowl, mix the flour, cocoa, baking powder, salt, and chocolate chips and nuts, if desired. Add the applesauce combination to the flour combination and stir. Pour into the pan and bake for 40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Bake longer if a cakier stock is desired. Cool before cutting and serving.

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Vegan Chocolate Brownie

Relate Link all clad copper core 12 inch chefs pan