How long should I let my brownies cool?

Allow the brownies to cool in the baking pan for at least 20 minutes before slicing into squares.

Is it okay for brownies to be gooey?

There is a difference between a "fudgy" brownies and one that is underbaked (aka gooey). Because there are eggs in these brownies, it's important to make sure they are cooked all the way through. When you think they are done baking, insert a toothpick into the center of the brownie pan. If it comes out clean, they're done. If there is a bit of batter on the toothpick (not to be confused with melted chocolate chips), they need a few more minutes in the oven.

What is the best paleo dark chocolate for these brownies?

High quality dark chocolate is best for this recipe. This brand is my favorite - it's also paleo-friendly and vegan! These chips melt effortlessly into a smooth and silky consistency that's perfect for these brownies.

The Best Dark Chocolate Paleo Brownies

Description

These are the absolute best dark chocolate paleo brownies EVER! With a deep fudgy texture, rich chocolaty flavor, and a crackled top, these brownies just can't be beat! Made paleo-friendly, gluten-free, and dairy-free, I consider them better than boxed brownies.

Scale

Ingredients

1 9-oz bag dark chocolate chips (roughly 2 cups), divided
1/3 cup coconut oil
1 cup coconut sugar
1 tsp vanilla
3 eggs, room temperature
3/4 cup almond flour
3 Tbsp cacao powder
1 tsp espresso (sub. 1 Tbsp strong coffee)
1/4 tsp sea salt

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 F. Melt 1 1/3 cups of the chocolate and the coconut oil in a pot on the stove over medium-low heat. Stir continuously until thin and silky smooth in consistency. Remove from element and set aside to cool down slightly.
Beat the eggs and coconut sugar in a bowl using a stand mixer, hand beater, or stiff whisk. Whisk until the mixture has doubled in size and is slightly thick and sticky. This can take about 3 - 5 minutes and is the key to the crackled top layer!
Once you have beat the coconut sugar and eggs well, add the vanilla and melted chocolate to the bowl. Fold with a rubber spatula until the chocolate is fully incorporated.
Next, add the almond flour, cacao powder, espresso powder, and sea salt to the bowl. Slowly fold the batter until no flour clumps remain.
Add in the remaining chocolate chips (about 3/4 cup) and give the batter a couple big mixes to disperse the chips. Pour the batter into an 8x8 baking pan lined with parchment paper. Bake for 24 - 28 minutes until you can insert a toothpick into the middle and it comes out clean.
Let the brownies cool for at least 20 minutes before slicing into squares. See note below on how to get a perfectly clean cut! To store, place in an airtight container. The brownies will stay fresh for up to 5 days on the counter.

Notes

Crinkle top : The secret to the crinkle top layer on these brownies is to really beat the coconut sugar and eggs together. This is best done with a hand or stand mixer but can also be done with a stiff whisk. Mix the two ingredients together until the mixture becomes slightly thick in consistency and has almost doubled in size. This can take anywhere from 2 - 5 minutes of mixing.

Glass pan : If baking with glass, increase the baking time to 30 - 35 minutes. Check the brownies by inserting a toothpick in the middle. With a glass baking pan, they will continue to cook for a little longer once pulled out of the oven.

Slicing : There are two ways to achieve a clean cut when slicing the brownies. The first, use a plastic knife if you have one. This works wonders every time! The second is with a thin metal knife that has been "warmed up". Simply run the blade under some hot water for a few seconds, wipe off the liquid and then cut. Which ever method you use, you'll want to clean off the knife after every cut.

Storing : To store these paleo brownies, place them in an airtight container. They will keep for up to 5 days on the counter. If storing them in the fridge, warm up a square in the microwave for 15 seconds before enjoying to take the chill off.

Category: Brownies
Method: Bake
Cuisine: American

Keywords: paleo brownies, healthy brownies, dark chocolate brownies, gluten-free brownies