The Easiest, Fudgiest Vegan Avocado Brownies

Patty Catalano
Patty CatalanoFood Editor at The Kitchn
The only subject that has ever held my attention has been food, because there’s no end to what you can taste, smell, learn, and cook. I patchworked my way to recipe development and food writing by earning degrees in Family & Consumer Sciences (you may have known it as Home Ec) and Food, Nutrition, and Culinary Science, and working anywhere that would take me: university food services, local bakeries, and the set of Good Eats on Food Network. Early on, I asked my mom how she knew what a cookbook recipe (with no pictures) would look and taste like. While my mom was there to teach me, I realized that not everyone has someone to turn to for trusted cooking guidance. I try every day to be that person for The Kitchn’s readers by sharing smart recipes they can feel proud to serve. Recipe development is the most fun job I can imagine, but it also comes with a lot of dirty dishes and hours spent in the grocery store. I’ve found that I actually really love grocery shopping — especially at Costco and Aldi — and it brings me such joy to share my finds with The Kitchn readers.
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updated Feb 5, 2020
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These chewy, chocolate-y brownies are made with just 5 ingredients, and also happen to be vegan.

Makes16 brownies

Prep10 minutes

Cook45 minutes

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Credit: Joe Lingeman

If you’re searching for a recipe that will satisfy all brownie-lovers, look no further. These vegan brownies strike the perfect balance between fudgy, cakey, and chewy, and the ingredient that makes this possible is probably sitting on your counter right now: avocados! The cocoa powder camouflages the avocado’s green color, but the fruit’s creamy texture gives the brownies their crave-able chew and deliciously fudgy center.

They’re so easy you’ll have the recipe memorized after a single batch — even if you aren’t dairy-free or vegan.

Credit: Joe Lingeman

Avocado Is the Secret to the Easiest Vegan Brownies

Traditional brownie recipes are a mix of melted chocolate or cocoa powder, butter, eggs, sugar, flour, and leavening. This vegan brownie recipe relies on the smooth and creamy texture of avocado — and its monounsaturated fats — to take the place of both the butter and eggs. That means you’re left with a short and simple ingredient list: two ripe avocados, brown sugar for sweetness and chew, cocoa powder for chocolate flavor, baking powder to give the brownies a lift, and all-purpose flour to pull the batter together.

After a quick spin in the food processor, these brownies go from pantry to plate in less than an hour. You can even mix the batter by hand — just be sure to mash the avocado until completely smooth.

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Avocado Brownies

These chewy, chocolate-y brownies are made with just 5 ingredients, and also happen to be vegan.

Prep time 10 minutes

Cook time 45 minutes

Makes 16 brownies

Nutritional Info

Ingredients

  • Cooking spray

  • 2

    ripe medium avocados, diced

  • 3/4 cup

    packed brown sugar

  • 1/2 cup

    unsweetened natural cocoa powder

  • 1 teaspoon

    baking powder

  • 1/4 teaspoon

    kosher salt

  • 1/2 cup

    all-purpose flour

Instructions

  1. Arrange a rack in the middle of the oven and heat to 350°F. Coat an 8x8-inch baking pan with cooking spray.

  2. Place the avocados, brown sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt in the bowl of a food processor fitted with the blade attachment. Pulse until smooth, 12 to 15 pulses. Add the flour, then pulse until the flour is completely incorporated, 8 to 10 pulses.

  3. Transfer the batter to the pan and spread into an even layer. Bake until the edges pull away from the sides of the pan and a thin knife inserted into the center comes out clean, about 45 minutes. Cool completely on a rack before slicing and serving.

Recipe Notes

Storage: Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days.

Filed in:
baked goods
Baking
Brownie
children
Dessert
easy