Best Brownie Recipe- Traditional, Gluten Free, Dairy Free Options

Ever get a crazy craving for hot and fresh brownies, but you don’t have a box of prepared brownies? Getting dressed to go the store sounds miserable. Waiting for a grocery delivery would take too long. This is the solution to ensure you’re never in that predicament again. We even included gluten free brownie and dairy free options.

When I say these are the easiest brownies, it’s no joke. You will have all of the ingredients mixed and in your baking dish before your oven is done preheating (to 350 degrees.) The total of all the ingredients required will total less than $2 for the entire recipe.

In this article, you will find free brownie recipes for traditional brownies, dairy free alternatives, options if you prefer gluten-free baking.

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Never Make Box Brownies Again

Brownies are easily one of most people’s favorite desserts. What’s not to love about the chewy and fudgy chocolate treat? We can save the debate on whether edges or middle pieces are the best (I’m a middle piece girl,) for another day. Let’s all agree that “yes” is always the answer when someone asks if you want a brownie.

If you think of a box mix whenever you make brownies, your life will be forever changed after reading this! And you will never buy another box of brownie mix again.

Gluten Free Brownies Recipe

How do you know if brownies are gluten free? Make them!

Is boxed brownie mix gluten free? One thing that this Easy Brownie Recipe offers that you can’t get from traditional boxed mix is Gluten Free.

What do gluten free brownies taste like? Brownies! Their flavor and consistency depends on if you like them fudgy, chewy, or with a crackly top. In other words, they taste the same as regular brownies. Using a gluten free flour will not cost you on the flavor of these brownies. Substituting non-gluten flour will still produce chocolatey delicious brownies.

Often times you have to experiment with the ratio of almond flour versus traditional flour. I have done that for you. This recipe is 1 to 1, and you will not lose the integrity of the final product. I like to use Bob’s Red Mill Almond Flour but any brand will work. These easy gf brownies will be the answer to any dessert woes you may have.

If you prefer the texture and taste of Coconut Flour that’s also a great substitute for this recipe. As you already know if you have experience with coconut flour that ratio isn’t 1:1. If you are a regular gluten-free baker, you know coconut flour has a higher absorbency rate. So you don’t need quite as much in your gluten-free flour blend. For this recipe using 1/4 Cup Coconut Flour should give you a delicious brownie.

Similar to coconut flour, using rice flour isn’t a 1:1 ratio as compared to all purpose flour. For this recipe, you will want to use 1/4 Cup Rice Flour.

You can also buy King Arthur gluten free flour.

Dairy Free Brownies

Not only can you make these gluten free, these are also dairy free, if you don’t add any additional mix ins. Unsweetened Cocoa Powder is naturally dairy free. You can also choose Dutch Cocoa Powder for this recipe. The main difference between traditional cocoa powder and Dutch isn’t where it’s made, but the process by why the cocoa beans are washed. Dutch Cocoa is neutral cause by the alkaline wash process they go through. That’s a science lesson for a different post. Because this recipe doesn’t use Baking Soda, we don’t need to get into the details. You are safe to choose either Dutch or unsweetened cocoa powder. Either choice will leave you with the perfect chocolate flavor brownies.

These easy gluten free brownies will be the answer to any dessert woes you may have due to your dietary restrictions.

Just The Basics

Brownies are simple. I bet you already have all the ingredients in your pantry to make these delicious, chewy easy brownies. Flour, sugar, vanilla, eggs, salt, baking powder, cocoa powder, and oil. When mixed together in the right amounts these items make the most delicious brownies.

If you’re not making this a gluten-free brownie mix, traditional all-purpose flour is the best flour to use over cake or baking flour. If you only have cake or baking flour on hand it will work in a pinch, but expect your brownies to be a bit more chewy.

I like to add chocolate chips or chunks to make these easy brownies just a little bit more chocolatey, and chunky! I mean, who doesn’t love a little more chocolate.

Stir It Up A Bit

The opportunity for mixing up these brownies is endless. You can try different variations each time you make another batch, because they’re so simple.

Adding peanut butter, or peanut chips would add nice burst of flavors. If you happen to have some Andes Mints laying around chop them up and fold them into your batter before baking. The extra hint of flavor makes for the perfect surprise when you bite into these homemade brownies.

My absolute FAVORITE variation of these brownies is sea salt and caramel. You can either use caramel sauce or melt caramel squares in a microwave-safe bowl. You will need 15-20 caramel squares unwrapped melt on high in 30 second increments until melted. Once you’ve added your brownie batter to a greased pan, drizzle your melted caramel on top, sprinkle 1 1/2 tablespoons of sea salt and swirl using a toothpick.

While brownies typically aren’t considered a healthy treat, adding 1/4 Cup Hemp or Chia Seeds adds a unique flavor and might make you feel less guilty for having a second, or third.

This recipe is so versatile that whatever you have in your house for oil will always work. Canola oil, coconut oil, or even avocado oil all work well.

Avoid Over Mixing

If making traditional brownies, skip the mixer and use a whisk instead. You don’t want to activate the gluten and make the brownies too tough.

Be Prepared For The Future

To save yourself a little time in the future, mix up several batches of dry ingredients at once, and store in glass jars or Ziplock bags. This is essentially the same as having a box of brownie mix on hand at all times, without all the added ingredients and preservatives.

Use a permanent marker to note the measurements of wet ingredients on the bag or jar. You can also add the cooking time and temp to have all of the details at your fingertips.

Store the mix in a cool dry place (but always within arms reach) for up to 4 months.

Get Crafty With Your Gift Giving

I love to share my favorite homemade creations with friends, family, and even teachers. Gifting this simple brownie mix of dry ingredients is sure to warm the heart of whomever you’re gifting this to.

There are a few ways to creatively gift the dry ingredients adding them in a Mason Jar. I like to layer the dry ingredients inside the mason jar starting with the sugar, then the cocoa powder. followed by the flour, baking powder and salt. I top the jar mix off with chocolate chunks, flavored chips, or chopped up mints.

You can dress the jar up a bit by adding a seasonable cloth swatch between the seal and jar lid. When I gift these, I like to add layered colored ribbon to coordinate with the fabric swatch.

Finish off the gift with a hand written recipe card. List the measurements of the dry ingredients in the jar, along with the wet ingredients they need to add and baking instructions. Adding a small note, “From our hearts to your kitchen,” before the instructions let the receiver know you prepared their gift with love.

If you gift bakeware or baking utensils as a wedding shower, wedding or housewarming gift, prepare a jar of easy homemade Brownie Mix along with the recipe to make your gift extra special.

Your New Go To Dessert

This simple homemade brownie mix will be a hit wherever you take them

One of my favorite things (and probably my husbands least favorite,) is that the pan always comes home empty. These brownies are perfect for backyard cook outs, birthday parties, mouse races, trivia nights, or just a weekend dessert. When last minute dinner plans, pop up, or you get an invite to a friends place but don’t want to show up empty handed. You’ll be ready to walk out the door with hot, chewy brownies in under 30 minutes.

Make them extra special by serving them hot out of the oven, and topping with vanilla ice cream. The possibilities are endless.

Enjoy being the star of any party you show up to with these simple homemade brownies.

For more simple and delicious ideas see all of our Allergy Sensitive Recipes and Dessert Recipes.