Indulgent Vegan Chocolate Orange Brownies: Fudgy, Zesty & Easy to Bake

Prepare to fall in love with these utterly irresistible vegan chocolate orange brownies. Crafted to be rich, deeply fudgy, and wonderfully chewy, they deliver a perfect harmony of intense dark chocolate and bright, zesty orange flavor. These plant-based delights are surprisingly easy to make, using readily available ingredients, and promise an indulgent treat that everyone will adore, no matter the occasion or time of year.

The timeless combination of chocolate and orange reaches new heights in this dairy-free recipe. Each bite offers a luxurious, dense texture contrasted by a vibrant citrus kick that perfectly cuts through the sweetness and the profound notes of high-quality dark chocolate. This isn’t just a dessert; it’s an experience for your taste buds.

Whether you’re a seasoned vegan baker or simply looking for an amazing dairy-free dessert, these brownies are designed for simplicity and maximum flavor. Using basic kitchen staples, you can whip up a batch of these extraordinary treats that will impress vegans and non-vegans alike. They’re perfect for sharing at gatherings, as a comforting dessert after dinner, or simply as a special snack to brighten your day.

Essential Ingredient Details for Perfect Vegan Brownies

Creating truly exceptional vegan brownies requires careful attention to ingredients, especially when replacing traditional dairy and eggs. Here’s a deeper dive into what you’ll need and why each component is crucial for achieving that signature fudgy, chewy perfection with a bright orange twist.

Vegan Block Butter: For optimal brownie texture, the choice of vegan butter is paramount. You absolutely must use a firm vegan block butter or margarine, rather than the spreadable varieties sold in tubs. Spreadable margarines contain a significantly higher water content, which can lead to cakey or dry brownies that lack the desired fudgy density. Brands like Naturli Vegan Block or Flora Plant Butter are excellent choices as they mimic the fat content and consistency of dairy butter, essential for rich, moist results.

Non-Dairy Milk: In vegan baking, non-dairy milk serves to replace the moisture typically provided by eggs, contributing to the batter’s hydration and overall structure. While many varieties work, soy milk is often considered superior for baking due to its higher protein content, which can aid in structure and browning. However, feel free to use your preferred unsweetened non-dairy milk, such as almond, oat, or cashew, as long as it’s not overly thin or watery.

Non-Dairy Yogurt: This ingredient plays a dual role as another effective egg replacer, adding moisture and richness to the brownies. It also contributes to the tender crumb and slight tang that balances the sweetness. A plain, unsweetened soya-based Greek style yogurt is ideal for its thicker consistency, but a regular plain soya or even a plain coconut yogurt can be used successfully. Ensure it is unflavored to prevent any unwanted taste interference.

Sugar: Beyond merely providing sweetness, sugar is a fundamental component for the texture of these brownies. It’s especially crucial for creating that coveted crisp, shiny, crackly crust on top. To achieve this, it’s vital that the sugar is fully dissolved into the liquid ingredients before baking. We accomplish this by gently heating the sugar with the non-dairy milk and yogurt. Caster sugar is recommended for its fine granules, which dissolve easily, but granulated sugar can also be used effectively. Do not be tempted to reduce the sugar content, as this will compromise both the flavor balance and the essential textural elements.

Chocolate: A blend of cocoa powder and melted dark chocolate is key to achieving a truly deep, complex chocolate flavor and a dense, fudgy texture. I highly recommend using a high-quality dark chocolate with at least 70% cocoa solids. Opting for milk chocolate is not advisable, as it can make the brownies excessively sweet and less intense. To amplify the orange flavor even further, I like to fold in some chopped orange-flavored vegan chocolate. If this isn’t available or preferred, you can simply use extra plain dark chocolate.

Flour: Vegan brownie recipes typically require slightly more flour than their non-vegan counterparts to compensate for the absence of eggs and maintain proper structure without becoming crumbly. Rest assured, despite the higher flour content, these brownies remain wonderfully fudgy and dense, not cakey in the slightest. Plain (all-purpose) flour works perfectly, and for those with dietary restrictions, a good quality plain gluten-free flour blend should also yield satisfactory results.

Cocoa Powder: Using both melted dark chocolate and cocoa powder layers the chocolate flavor, providing a richer, more profound taste. A Dutch-process cocoa powder is preferred here, as it has a smoother, less acidic flavor and contributes to a darker, more appealing color in the final product.

Baking Powder: A small amount of baking powder is included to provide just a touch of lift, replacing the leavening effect usually provided by eggs. This ensures the brownies aren’t overly dense and have a pleasant bite.

Vanilla Extract: While optional, a good quality vanilla extract significantly enhances the overall flavor profile of the brownies, adding a warm, aromatic depth that complements both the chocolate and orange notes beautifully.

Oranges: The vibrant, aromatic orange flavor is delivered through a combination of finely grated orange zest and orange extract. The zest provides natural citrus oils and a fresh aroma, while the extract intensifies the fruity punch, ensuring the orange shines through against the rich chocolate.

Salt: A pinch of salt is a secret weapon in almost all sweet baking, and especially in chocolate recipes. It doesn’t make the brownies taste salty; instead, it subtly balances the sweetness, deepens the chocolate flavor, and brightens the orange notes, making every ingredient taste more pronounced and delicious.

How To Make Chocolate Orange Brownies: A Simple Step-by-Step Guide

(Full measurements and instructions can be found in the comprehensive recipe card at the bottom of this page)

Creating these delightful vegan chocolate orange brownies is a straightforward process that yields incredible results. Follow these clear steps to achieve perfect fudgy, zesty squares every time:

Step 1: Preparing the Liquid Base. Begin by placing the granulated or caster sugar, non-dairy yogurt, and non-dairy milk into a saucepan. Heat this mixture over a low setting, stirring continuously. Your goal is to fully dissolve the sugar and warm the mixture until it becomes hot and has a glossy appearance, but it should not reach a full boil. This step is crucial for achieving that desirable shiny, crackly crust on your brownies.

Step 2: Melting the Chocolate and Butter. Once your sugar-milk mixture is hot and glossy, remove the pan from the heat immediately. Add the finely chopped dark chocolate and the vegan block butter to the hot liquid. Stir diligently until both the chocolate and butter have completely melted and the mixture is silky smooth and homogenous. This creates the rich, fudgy foundation for your brownies.

Step 3: Incorporating Dry and Flavoring Ingredients. Into the smooth chocolate mixture, whisk in the grated orange zest, orange extract, and vanilla extract. Follow this by adding the cocoa powder, baking powder, salt, and plain (all-purpose) flour. Whisk until just combined, being careful not to overmix, which can lead to tough brownies.

Step 4: Adding Orange Chocolate and Preparing for Baking. Gently fold in most of the chopped orange-flavored chocolate into the batter, ensuring to reserve a small amount to sprinkle on top before baking. Scrape the entire luscious batter into your prepared 20cm square baking tin, spreading it evenly with a spatula. Finally, scatter the reserved orange chocolate pieces over the top for an extra burst of flavor and visual appeal.

Step 5: Baking to Perfection. Transfer the tin to your preheated oven and bake for approximately 20-25 minutes. The key to perfectly fudgy brownies is knowing when to pull them out. A skewer inserted into the center should come out “gunky” with moist crumbs attached, but crucially, no wet batter. If the skewer comes out clean, they are likely overbaked and might be dry. Keep a close eye on them during the last few minutes of baking.

After baking, allow the brownies to cool completely in the pan. This is crucial for them to firm up and achieve that ideal fudgy texture, making them much easier to slice neatly. Many find that refrigerating the slab overnight once cooled further enhances their density and makes for the cleanest cuts. Once thoroughly chilled or cooled, lift them out of the pan using the parchment paper overhang and slice into delicious squares.

Top Tips for Unforgettable Vegan Chocolate Orange Brownies

Achieving brownie perfection, especially in vegan baking, often comes down to a few key techniques. Here are my top tips to ensure your chocolate orange brownies are nothing short of spectacular:

• Embrace Digital Scales for Precision: As with all my baking recipes, I cannot stress enough the importance of using metric measurements with a digital kitchen scale instead of cup conversions. Cups are notoriously inaccurate and inconsistent, leading to varying results. Using a scale guarantees precise measurements, yielding consistently perfect brownies every time, and often makes for a cleaner baking process too!
• Use Proper Measuring Spoons: Similarly, for teaspoon and tablespoon measurements, always use dedicated measuring spoons, not everyday cutlery. A standard teaspoon is 5ml, and a tablespoon is 15ml, and these precise volumes are critical for the balance of ingredients.
• Avoid Overbaking at All Costs: The biggest enemy of a fudgy brownie is an overzealous oven. Brownies continue to cook slightly even after being removed from the heat. They are perfectly done when a skewer inserted into the center comes out with moist, gooey crumbs attached, but no wet batter. If the skewer comes out completely clean, your brownies are likely overbaked and will result in a dry, cakey texture rather than a rich, fudgy one. Watch them closely!
• Choose the Right Baking Pan: For the best results, opt for a metal baking pan over glass or ceramic. Metal conducts heat more efficiently and consistently, allowing for more even baking. Glass and ceramic dishes retain heat for longer, meaning your brownies will continue to cook more aggressively after being removed from the oven, increasing the risk of overbaking.
• Sugar is Key for that Shiny Crust: The beautiful, crisp, and shiny crust on top of these brownies is primarily due to the sugar content and its proper dissolution. Do not reduce the amount of sugar in the recipe, as it’s vital for this desirable aesthetic and textural element. Ensuring the sugar is fully dissolved in the warm liquid mixture is the critical step here.
• Cool Completely Before Slicing: Patience is a virtue when it comes to brownies! Allow the baked brownie slab to cool completely, preferably for several hours or even overnight, before attempting to slice them. This cooling time allows the brownies to set and firm up, resulting in clean, neat squares that hold their shape beautifully.
• Customize Your Serving Experience: For a softer, “just-baked” warmth, pop a brownie square into the microwave for about 10 seconds. This re-softens them wonderfully and makes them perfect for serving warm with a scoop of vegan vanilla ice cream. Alternatively, if you prefer an even denser, chewier texture, store your brownies in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s) about Vegan Chocolate Orange Brownies

More Delicious Vegan Brownie Recipes to Explore:

• Nutty rum brownies
• Fudgy vegan brownies
• Small batch vegan brownies
• Vegan peanut butter brownies
• Mulled wine brownies
• Mince pie brownies
• Chewy vegan brownies

If you tried this incredible recipe for vegan chocolate orange brownies, I’d love to hear how it went! Please take a moment to rate it, leave a comment with your thoughts, or tag @domestic_gothess on Instagram and use the hashtag #domesticgothess to share your beautiful creations!

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