[pinit] There are about as many ways to make brownies as there are ways to make, say, chocolate chip cookies. Thick, thin, fudgy, cakey, you name it. These gluten free chocolate frosted brownies are, well, chocolate frosted with a deep, rich and thick chocolate ganache. It's true. But what sort of brownie is fit to be beneath such chocolate ganache-style frosting? A slightly cakey, and not overly chocolatey brownie. That's the kind. “Did she just say “not overly chocolatey”? Indeed I did.
Here's my thinking: You could make a super fudgy brownie and top it with chocolate frosting. But I submit that it would really just be overkill.
If you're planning to skip the chocolate frosting, I'd go with those super fudgy gluten free brownies we just talked about (or this Super Fudgy Paleo brownie recipe, even).
But if you're game for some chocolate ganache-style frosting, the kind that leaves tooth-tracks behind when you take a bite, that is heaven for chocolate lovers, then go with this recipe. The slightly cake-like brownies with the super chocolatey chocolate frosting? A match made in brownie heaven.
Gluten Free Chocolate Frosted Brownies
Ingredients
For the Brownies
3 ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped
8 tablespoons (112 g) unsalted butter, chopped
3/4 cup (105 g) all purpose gluten free flour (I used my mock Better Batter)
1/4 teaspoon xanthan gum (omit if your blend already contains it)
3 tablespoons (27 g) cornstarch
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1 cup (200 g) sugar
2 eggs (120 g, out of shell) at room temperature, beaten
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
For the Frosting
3/4 cup (6 fluid ounces) heavy whipping cream
9 ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped
1/8 teaspoon kosher salt
Instructions
First, make the brownies. Preheat your oven to 350°F. Grease and line an 8-inch square pan with criss-crossed sheets of unbleached parchment paper and set it aside.
In a small, heat-safe bowl, place the chopped chocolate and butter. Place over a small pot of water, making sure the water doesn’t touch the bottom of the bowl. Place the bowl over medium-low heat, bring the water to a simmer, stirring occasionally, until the chocolate and butter are melted and smooth. Remove from the heat and set aside to cool.
In a large bowl, place the flour, xanthan gum, cornstarch, baking powder, salt, and sugar, and whisk to combine well. Create a well in the center of the dry ingredients and add the melted chocolate and butter mixture, and mix to combine. Add the eggs and vanilla, mixing to combine after each addition. The mixture should be thick and smooth. Scrape it into the prepared baking pan and spread into an even layer with a moist spatula. Place in the center of the preheated oven and bake until just firm to the touch and a toothpick comes out mostly clean (22 to 25 minutes). Allow to cool completely in the pan.
When the brownies are nearly cool, prepare the frosting. Place the chopped chocolate in a medium size, heatproof bowl, and set it aside. Place the cream in a small, heavy-bottom saucepan and bring to a simmer. Add the salt and stir to combine. Pour the warm cream over the chopped chocolate and allow to sit until the chocolate begins to melt. Stir until the chocolate is melted and smooth. Set the mixture aside to cool for about 2 minutes before pouring over the cooled brownies, still in the pan, in an even layer. Allow to set at room temperature for about 30 minutes before transferring to the refrigerator. Allow to chill in the refrigerator until firm (about another 30 minutes). Remove from the refrigerator and lift the brownies out of the pan using the parchment paper. Place on a cutting board and slice the brownies into 16 equal squares.
Emma Enthused says
I just made these, and they are divine. So rich, chocolately, and ultimately really simple. I made just a couple of little tweaks to please my palate and to avoid going to the store ;). I used your Better Than Cup4Cup flour blend and cut the sugar in half for the brownie base. I used dark chocolate chips for the chocolate. Thank you so much for such an easy, delicious and beautifully-presented recipe. This is going to be a classic in the Enthused household!
Deedra Mayer says
Hi Nicole, I love all of your recipes! Thank you so much for making Celiacs less miserable.
I am sorry to post this here but didn’t know where else to ask – I was looking for the Against the Grain Country Vermont Roll copy-cat recipe and it keeps taking me to an error page. Is this recipe no longer available or is it just a glitch? Thank you so much again!
Jennifer S. says
Super yummy! I wish I had someone to make brownies for me like Anneke!!!
Donia Robinson says
I know, right?!?
Anneke says
Come on over, girls! They’ll make you some brownies, too!
Lucy says
Since my girls are not into a lot of chocolate, these would be excellent! I still bake the odd chocolate goody, like zucchini brownies which are not overly chocolatey as well. Nice to have another recipe when zucchini’s are not in season.
I baked two apricot pies yesterday and the family gobbled them both up!
looking for something else to use up all the apricots before making jam.
Nicole Hunn says
Oh, Lucy, I’ve got the perfect apricot treat coming later this week!
Lucy says
That’s great! I can’t wait!
Anneke says
We (actually they, not me) make a lot of brownies in my house, and none of them think there is such a thing as too much chocolate! The current favorite recipe is the make your own mix one in the quick and easy book. Andrew whipped those up for my birthday breakfast on Saturday, the double batch was gone by 10! I’ll pass this recipe along to the brownie makers, looks delicious.
Nicole Hunn says
Happy belated birthday, Anneke! Putting away a double batch of brownies by 10:00 is definitely the work of a bunch of hungry teenagers!
Peggy says
oh Nicole…I love your recipes and thank you! These are in the first 30 minute cooling phase on my counter right now so I haven’t tasted the finished product, but I did sneek a tiny sliver of the brownie and from what I can tell it tasted awesome! My hubby is gluten sensitive and just totally missed his sweet treats and he is a total chocolate freak…I just know he will love these and I can’t wait to give them to him tonight! I’ve made several of your recipes and they’ve all been great. Some of the bread recipes seem over my pay grade but maybe someday I’ll try one. But for now, I am just tickled that I can make things for my sweet to try to make up for what he misses so much. Thank you!