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Fudgy Gluten Free Brownies

Fudgy gluten free brownies are easy to make from scratch.  They are thick, chewy and have the perfect chocolate flavor!  They are a simple gluten free dessert, made with ingredients you probably already have in your pantry. As a bonus, they can also be made dairy-free!

overhead shot of sliced fudgy gluten free brownies on a white plate

Fudgy Gluten Free Brownies

YOU GUYS. THESE BROWNIES. I seriously can’t help the all caps right there because these rich, fudgy gluten free brownies are THAT amazing. I’ve been working for a very, very, very long time to perfect a gluten free Ghirardelli boxed brownie mix copycat recipe that everyone would love for dessert. It has the perfect amount of chocolate flavor (I mean, who doesn’t love chocolate?!), just the right chewy texture to them, and they are so moist and fudgy you won’t believe it!

The Samoas Brownies version was one of our absolute favorite brownies before Adam had to start eating gluten free. But this! This gluten free brownie recipe from scratch is a true winner! I’m willing to bet if you had someone try this rich, decadent brownie, they would have no clue it’s gluten-free. That is the magic of this recipe!

 gluten free brownies from scratch on a wood cutting board

Key Ingredients for these Gluten Free Brownies

  • 1/2 Cup all-purpose gluten free flour
  • 1/4 tsp xanthan gum- omit xanthan gum if using a gluten free flour blend that contains it
  • 3/4 Cup Cocoa Powder – I use Dutch Processed Cocoa Powder. Be sure to use a high quality cocoa powder for the best possible flavor!
  • 2 large COLD Eggs – for vegan brownies, use an egg replacer and the dairy free butter sub listed below.
  • 1 Tbsp cornstarch
  • 1 1/4 Cup granulated sugar
  • 4 Tbsp butter melted- use vegan butter for gluten free dairy free brownies
  • 1/3 Cup Avocado Oil or Canola Oil. Whatever you have on hand is fine!
  • 1 1/2 tsp Vanilla extract
  • 1/8 tsp baking soda- do not use baking powder!!
  • 1/4 tsp sea salt
  • 2 Tbsp water- cold water helps to maintain that chewy flavor with a crackly top, depending on your preference!
Thick and chewy gluten free brownies stacked on a wood cutting board lined with white parchment paper

Equipment Needed to Make Homemade GF Brownies


Important ingredients for fudgy gluten free brownies including eggs, butter, cocoa powder, sugar, milk, gf flour and sugar

Which type of baking pan is best for GF brownies?

I prefer to use a 9×9 Square Baking Pan.  You can still use a glass baking pan, but I have found the brownies come out slightly crispier using a metal one.

Another good option to use is stoneware.  There is no right or wrong answer here.  Just your own personal preference!


sliced gluten free brownies on a parchment paper lined wood cutting board

How to make this Easy Homemade Gluten Brownie Recipe in 6 Simple Steps!

Important! Preheat the oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit


Full Video Tutorial on to make these GF brownies from scratch


Sharon’s Pro Tips for Making The Best Gluten Free Brownies

  • I used my nightshade-free flour blend but my white-rice all purpose flour blend would work well too. A 1:1 gluten free flour blend can also be used. Just be sure to omit the xanthan gum called for in this recipe if your blend contains it.
  • For cleaner cut brownies, chill the brownies for at least 30 minutes before slicing. Cutting with a plastic knife works great too!
  • Use a toothpick inserted to see if it comes out clean.  It’s OK to under-bake these a little bit if you prefer to have them chewier!
  • Try different mix ins such as chocolate chips or nuts at the end if you like!

What types of gluten free flour are best for this recipe?

I recommend using either my nightshade-free flour blend or my all-purpose gluten free flour blend.  They both make for a wonderful and consistent brownie batter.  The blends I suggest are very easy to make and to store!

You can also try using Bob’s Red Mill 1:1 Gluten Free Baking Flour as well as King Arthur Gluten-Free Measure for Measure Flour.

Remember to omit xanthan gum if using a gluten free flour blend that already contains it, such as Bob’s Red Mill or King Arthur!

Is this GF brownie recipe easy to double?

Absolutely!  Here’s what to do:  Use a metal 9×13 pan instead and just double the recipe.  Now it’s double the deliciousness!  Now that you have some extra brownies, you can freeze them for later on. Read on below on how to best do that!

Suggestions for storing and freezing your GF Brownies

Storing: After making these brownies, you can store them in an air tight container for 2-3 days at room temperature.

Freezing: For best results, freeze the brownies on a baking pan in your freezer on wax paper for 2-3 hours. Then, I recommend wrapping each brownie in plastic wrap and then storing in a gallon sized freezer bag. When you’re ready to enjoy these little bites of deliciousness, take them out to defrost for a couple of hours ahead of time.  Easy-peasy!

Measuring your GF Flour Blend the correct way

I HIGHLY recommend you follow and sign up for this free guide on how to properly measure your GF flour blends. This is a step that is often overlooked but is extremely important!  By following this guide I provide you, it will increase the quality of the recipes that you bake.  You won’t be disappointed!

overhead shot of fudgy gluten free brownies on 3 different small plates

Dairy-Free GF Brownies

It is super simple to make these brownies dairy-free! Instead of regular butter, use melted vegan butter instead.  A good brand that would work well is Miyoko’s European Style Cultured Vegan Butter. Or if you find another brand that works for you, go for it!

Easy Gluten Free Brownie Recipe from scratch

Not only have I been working on perfecting a gluten free copycat version of Ghirardelli boxed brownies, but I have also been making my own gluten free flour blend for years now. When I first started baking gluten free, I used a store-bought all-purpose mix. But as I got more experience baking gluten free, I found that I could get better results on my own.

They’re so fudgy and so soft in the center and they basically just melt in your mouth. And for some reason, they were incredibly hard to replicate. I’ve had other brownies on my blog, like my Chocolate Hazelnut Brownies, Flourless Chocolate Mint Brownies, and Snickers Brownies. I even use the chocolate hazelnut brownies as the base in my Cherry Vanilla Baked Alaska.

ALL of those recipes were great but this one, this one has been my unicorn brownie recipe. The elusive recipe that I just needed to tackle.

And I’ve finally done that. My freezer may be packed full of brownies right now but it was well worth it. JUST like the ones from the box I set out to re-create.  Gluten-free baking at its finest!

 #nailedit


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overhead shot of sliced fudgy gluten free brownies on a white plate

Fudgy Gluten Free Brownies {Dairy-Free Option}

4.62 from 81 ratings
Super fudgy gluten free brownies are easy to make.  They are thick, chewy and have the perfect chocolate flavor!  They are a decadent gluten free dessert and can also be made dairy-free!
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 22 minutes
Total Time: 32 minutes
Servings: 16 Brownies
Print Rate Pin

Ingredients

  • 1 1/4 C sugar
  • 3/4 C cocoa powder
  • 1/2 C all-purpose gluten free flour
  • 1/4 tsp xanthan gum
  • 1/8 tsp baking soda
  • 1/4 tsp sea salt
  • 1 Tbsp cornstarch
  • 2 large eggs cold
  • 4 Tbsp butter melted
  • 1/3 C avocado oil or canola oil
  • 1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 2 Tbsp water cold

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 325 degrees and line a 9x9 inch metal baking pan with parchment paper.
  • In a large bowl, whisk together the sugar, cocoa powder, flour, xanthan gum, baking soda, salt, and cornstarch.
  • Make a well in the center and add the eggs. Beat the eggs and mix in the butter, oil, vanilla extract, and water. Mix until the dry ingredients are incorporated.
  • Transfer the batter to the prepared pan and bake at 325 degrees for 22-25 minutes. Cool completely in the pan before cutting.

Video

Notes

  1. For dairy free brownies, use melted vegan butter in place of the regular butter.
  2. I prefer my brownies very soft and on the slightly under-baked side. Cook a little bit longer if you want the center to be a little more done.
  3. Chill the brownies for 30 minutes for cleaner cut slices.
  4. This recipe can be doubled and baked in a 9x13 pan.
  5. These brownies freeze well. Defrost at room temperature before serving.

Nutrition Information

Serving: 1g | Calories: 132kcal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Fat: 13g

Disclaimers

As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Nutrition Facts are estimated and aren't always accurate. Please consult a doctor or nutritionist if you have special dietary needs.

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Updated Photos from @themindfulhapa Added in 2021

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Super Fudgy Gluten Free Brownies (a Ghirardelli copycat recipe) from @whattheforkblog | whattheforkfoodblog.com

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Shay

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Recipe Rating




  1. Mary G says:

    These brownies were great! Loved the fudginess! But I would like to know if the cocoa can be subbed with a baking chocolate bar? I usually have that handy and I would like to be able to use when needed. Do you think it would work with some modifications?

  2. Jackie says:

    These are five-star brownies, hands down.

  3. Jenelle H says:

    Made these last night, and they came out great! I used a cheap cocoa powder, which next time I will get a good dutch cocoa because I think that is the only thing that would have made these even better! They are super rich, which is perfect for when I’m craving something chocolaty! Another winner recipe – thanks Shay!

  4. Ruth Mclaughlin says:

    These are absolutely the best Brownies, EVER!

  5. Ruth Mclaughlin says:

    I haven’t made brownies from scratch in probably 50 years, because I like them sort of soft and gooey in the center, too. I may have tried a couple of times, but never was satisfied. So, I’m really happy to have this recipe, Shay. The brownies are in the oven now, but I can tell already by the texture and appearance that there will be no more mixes for me!

  6. Jenna M. says:

    Delicious!!!! Needed last minute brownie recipe for my brothers birthday and these turned out to be the best brownies we have ever had!!! We used Namaste Perfect Flour Blend for the flour, omitted the zanthan gum since the flour blend has it, doubled the salt, and only ended up using 1 egg because that’s what we had left in the fridge (oops!). It still worked perfectly and other than being a little messy to pick up (assuming that second egg would have helped that lol!), they were perfectly fudgy with just the right texture and richness and sweetness and chocolately goodness! Will absolutely make these again and again!

  7. Alana says:

    Do you have any idea how I could substitute ghee for butter in this recipe? Or, how would you suggest to make this dairy free?

  8. Jill says:

    Can I make these in a glass pan? I only have a 9×13 metal pan and an 8×8 Pyrex.

    • Shay says:

      Yes, you can make them in a glass pan. If you want to bake them in a 9×13 pan, just double the recipe and increase the baking time a bit 🙂

  9. Cindy Lamoureux says:

    Made these today with cup for cup flour and added the xanthan gum even though it is in the flour. I have found over the last 13 years that the texture and foundation of baked goods comes out better. I also doubled the recipe as I have company coming. These are fantastic! Best recipe for brownies I have found. Thank you, thank you!

  10. Amy Holland says:

    Amazing brownies! I made them with my granddaughter, so I cut a corner and used Pamela’s pancake and baking mix, but otherwise followed the recipe. My chocolate loving family could not stop eating them! These will be a mainstay recipe for us.

    Thank you for sharing!

    Amy

  11. Mara DeLucia says:

    Just made these this afternoon using apple flour. Honestly, hands down the BEST gluten free brownies… ever. That is saying something because we have tried many!

  12. Desiree says:

    These are so GOOD! It is the one gluten free recipe my hubby loves! He hates everything GF, so this says a lot! I on the other hand have no choice and must eat GF, so I’m happy to find a brownie recipe that tastes better than the gluten kind. Thanks for sharing!

  13. April says:

    Can the sugar be substituted with something else like coconut sugar?

    • Sharon says:

      Hi April, I haven’t tried this with coconut sugar. Let me know how it turns out if you do end up trying it. I have a feeling that the coconut sugar will make these a bit more cakey vs. fudgy.

  14. Patty says:

    5 stars
    These look awesome! How do you freeze your brownies? Thanks!

    • Sharon says:

      Thanks Patty! I cut them into pieces and then freeze them in a freezer bag. I pull out what I need and defrost them at room temperature as needed 🙂
      If I have more than one layer of brownies, I place a piece of wax paper in between the layers so they don’t stick.

  15. Rachael says:

    Oh my… I may be in trouble if I try these, but definitely pinning! I developed gluten intolerance when my first daughter was born two years ago, and haven’t had a great brownie since! I haven’t tried making my own from scratch yet. I’ll have to try this!

  16. I am definitely going to have to try these!

  17. Sarah says:

    Do you need the xantham gum and cornstarch when using Bob’s Red Mill 1 to 1?? Also do you think if I replace the water with espresso they will come out the same but with a coffee flavor?

  18. Darla says:

    Do you add the xanthan gum even if the gf flour mix has it also?

  19. Susann says:

    Can coconut oil be substituted for the avocado/canola oil? These look amazing!

  20. Natalia says:

    Sharon, I just made these because you had me mouth watering with those pictures and OH- MY- GOD!!!! I just ate half the batch on my own!!!! Top top top recipe! Super easy and super fast… Thank you for sharing it! <3

  21. Jennifer Baxter says:

    Hi, I tried these last night and loved them. I had been craving cake or something sweet since discovering my gluten allergy and these were just what I needed.

  22. Karli says:

    Ok you guys if you haven’t tried this recipe yet, you better get on it. Seriously just replaced my all time favorite brownie recipe with this one – it’s amazing! So chewy and chocolaty, just perfect! Also Sharon thank you for your help on my gluten free baking conundrum I was having with my sugar 🙂 Your help gave me the best baked goods again! Yay!!

  23. Larry says:

    Can I use more xanthan gum or arrorwroot as a substitute for the cornstarch?

    • Sharon says:

      Hi Larry,
      You could sub tapioca flour or potato starch for the cornstarch. If your flour blend has arrowroot in it (mine does) I wouldn’t use extra arrowroot as it might make the brownies too gummy.

  24. SocialTech360 says:

    How thick do these brownies turn out in the 9 inch pan?

  25. These brownies look amazing! There are few things in this world as good as a fudgy brownie!

  26. Wow, these look so incredibly moist Sharon! One of these days, I have to get a KitchenAid. I’ve heard so many raves about their new blender, too.

  27. Alexa says:

    Loving this MockMill!! So cool. I will have to check it out. Oh and the brownies might have to whipped up, too!

  28. Georgianna says:

    Oh man these look and sound phenomenal!

  29. Megan says:

    Those do look perfectly fudgy! I don’t know why, but brownies are so difficult to replicate when it comes to G-free cooking. Well done!

  30. Amanda says:

    These look incredibly moist. Your photos are great.

  31. These are so fudgy!! I love brownies and can’t wait to try these out!!

  32. Nutrimom says:

    Have you tried these with egg substitutes? NutriSon is egg allergic, would love to make them for him 🙂

  33. Jen @ The Weary Chef says:

    This is ahh-mazing! It looks so moist and fudgy!

  34. Cricket says:

    Those look like the definitely of a perfect brownie!

  35. It looks like all of your recipe testing paid off. These brownies look absolutely amazing!

  36. Oh man these look absolutely wonderful, can’t do them with the eggs and butter…but I could make them for D’s birthday coming up and he would be over the moon.

  37. Wow!! These look better than any box brownies I’ve ever had!

  38. Cindy Gordon (Vegetarian Mamma) says:

    WHY WHY WHY are we not neighbors! I’d always be hanging out in your kitchen! Ha! These look great! Super yummy!

  39. Ooo, love the gooey fudgy-ness of these. Looks wonderful!

  40. I love a fudgy brownie and these look like some of the fudgiest I’ve ever seen!

  41. WOW!!! I love everything about these brownies!!!

  42. Krista says:

    You had me at fudgy! Then I saw the picture and you have me for sure now!

  43. Yum! I always need more brownies in my life.