• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Pure and Simple Nourishment
  • About
    • Meet Dr. Erin Carter
    • My Food Philosophy
    • Press and Publications
    • Contact
  • Free Resources
  • Recipes
    • Holidays
      • Fall
      • Thanksgiving
      • Christmas
    • Breakfast
    • Main Course
    • Dessert
    • Sauces and Dips
    • Side Dish
    • Drinks
    • Vegetables
    • Snack
    • Meat and Fish
    • Recipe Wrap-Ups
    • SCD
    • GAPS
    • Whole30
    • AIP
    • Vegan
    • Paleo
    • Dairy-Free
    • Gluten-Free
    • Low FODMAP
    • Refined-Sugar-Free
  • Health
    • Health Information
    • Book Club
  • Nutrition
  • Favorites
    • Books
    • Tools
    • Skincare
  • Work With Me
    • Services
    • Skin Care Quiz
    • Contact
  • Skin Care
  • Weekly Workouts
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Spring
  • Recipes
  • Health Information
  • Meet Dr. Erin Carter
  • Services
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • TikTok
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Spring
    • Recipes
    • Health Information
    • Meet Dr. Erin Carter
    • Services
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • TikTok
  • ×
    Home » Recipes » Dessert

    The Best Chocolate Orange Brownies (gluten-free & paleo)

    Modified: Oct 25, 2024 • Published: Dec 16, 2023 by Dr. Erin Carter • This post may contain affiliate links • Leave a Comment

    22 shares
    • Share
    • Tweet
    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    A stack of orange chocolate brownies garnished with orange zest.
    A stack of orange chocolate brownies garnished with orange zest.

    These are the best chocolate orange brownies! These brownies are rich and chocolatey and taste like a Terry's chocolate orange. They are really easy to make and are also gluten-free, dairy-free, paleo, and refined sugar free. 

    Paleo orange chocolate brownies cut into pieces and garnished with orange zest.

    Orange and chocolate is one of my favourite flavour combinations, which is why I've made many other recipes with this combo including orange chocolate overnight oats and orange chocolate muffins and why I created these delicious brownies!

    Table of Contents
    • Why you will love this recipe:
    • Ingredients and substitutions:
    • Recipe variations and add ins:
    • How to make chocolate orange brownies:
    • Top tips:
    • How to serve:
    • How to store:
    • Chocolate orange brownies FAQs:
    • Other brownie recipes you will love:
    • Recipe

    Why you will love this recipe:

    • The flavour! These brownies have the best taste that is very similar to a Terry's chocolate orange. They are moist, rich, and full of dark orange chocolate flavour.
    • The brownies are made in one bowl so the clean up is easy and simple, just like my chocolate avocado mousse recipe.
    • These dark chocolate brownies are easy enough to make anytime and are also perfect to serve for holidays like Christmas, Halloween and Thanksgiving.
    • This brownie recipe is gluten-free, dairy-free, refined sugar free, paleo, and made with no butter, so they are healthy compared to most other brownie recipes. 
    • They are made with almond flour so are higher in protein compared to other brownies.
    • These chocolate orange brownies are delicious served warm or cold and they store well in the fridge so they are perfect for meal prep.

    If you love desserts you also need to try my homemade orange chocolate fudge, gluten-free cranberry lemon bars and graham cracker Christmas crack.

    Ingredients and substitutions:

    The ingredients needed to make chocolate orange brownies in separate bowls including almond flour, orange juice, eggs, orange zest, coconut sugar and cocoa powder.
    • Almond flour - one of my favourite gluten free and grain free flours. Almond flour helps give these brownies the perfect taste and texture. I don't recommend trying to swap this for another flour. Be sure to use almond flour and not almond meal.
    • Coconut flour - to help give these brownies the perfect flavour and texture. Do not try swapping this for another flour.
    • Coconut sugar - this is used to sweeten these chocolate orange brownies and keep them refined sugar free.
    • Cocoa powder - cocoa powder is used to give these brownies that delicious rich, dark chocolate flavour. You can use either cocoa powder or cacao powder to make these brownies.
    • Baking soda - to help these brownies rise when they bake. Do not confuse this with baking powder.
    • Sea salt - to help contrast the sweet flavour of this chocolate treat.
    • Orange juice and zest - I recommend using fresh oranges for the fresh orange juice and fresh orange zest. These are used to give these homemade brownies that perfect orange flavour.
    • Dark chocolate - you can use any type of dark chocolate that you like to make these brownies including dark chocolate bars or dark chocolate chips. I prefer to use dark chocolate bars sweetened with coconut sugar to keep these brownies refined sugar free.
    • Cashew butter - this helps make these brownies extra moist and fudgy! Be sure to use a smooth, unsweetened cashew butter.
    • Coconut oil - to add even more moisture to these brownies while keeping them dairy-free.
    • Vanilla extract - to help enhance all the delicious flavours of these brownies.
    • Eggs - large eggs are used to help make these orange chocolate brownies nice and moist and fudgy and help them rise when they bake. I do not recommend trying to make these eggless or trying to use an egg replacer.

    Recipe variations and add ins:

    • For even more orange flavour add a teaspoon of orange extract or an extra tablespoon or orange zest to these chocolate orange brownies.
    • To keep these brownies refined sugar free be sure to use chocolate sweetened with coconut sugar.

    How to make chocolate orange brownies:

    A bowl with eggs and sugar in it that have been whipped with a hand blender.

    Step 1

    First, preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. While the oven is heating, add the eggs and coconut sugar to a bowl and using either your standing mixer, or a hand mixer, beat the ingredients on high speed for 3-5 minutes, until they are frothy and light in colour. 

    A bowl filled with cocoa powder, orange juice, orange zest, flour, eggs and sugar.

    Step 2

    Now stir in the remaining brownie ingredients by hand (try not to over-mix).

    A square baking pan lined with parchment paper with brownie batter spread out in it.

    Step 3

    Then grease an 8″x 8″ baking pan with coconut oil or line it with parchment paper and transfer the brownie batter to the prepared pan and spread it evenly with a knife or spoon (Tip: the dough is quite sticky, so you may want to wet your spoon to help spread it more easily).

    A square baking pan lined with parchment paper with brownie batter spread out in it.

    Step 4

    Bake the brownies for 18-21 minutes (until a toothpick comes out clean). While the brownies are baking make the icing by placing a small saucepan on the stove on low heat and adding all the icing ingredients to the pot. 

    A pot with chocolate icing in it with a whisk stirring the icing.

    Step 5

    Stir the icing ingredients until they are melted and smooth. Note: Do not let the icing come to a boil, if it does it gets very clumpy.

    A square baking pan with a batch of brownies in it with chocolate icing on top.

    Step 6

    When the brownies are done baking, pour the icing over the top of the brownies and spread it out evenly. 

    A batch of brownies cut into squares with orange zest on them for garnish.

    Step 7

    Allow the brownies to cool and then cut them into pieces and enjoy.

    Top tips:

    • Do not try swapping the flours in this chocolate orange brownies recipe.
    • Do not over-mix the batter for these brownies or they will become more cakey rather than fudgy. 
    • I recommend using a glass baking pan for these brownies.
    • Room temperature eggs are best for baking.
    • Don't let the icing come to a boil when you are heating it or it will turn clumpy.

    How to serve:

    These chocolate orange brownies are delicious served as is but you could also top them with vanilla ice cream, whipped cream or coconut whipped cream to make them even more decadent. You can serve them either warm or cold (they taste great either way). When they are cold they taste more like fudge.

    How to store:

    Store these chocolate orange brownies in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 7 days. You can also freeze these brownies in an airtight container for up to 3 months.

    A stack of orange chocolate brownies garnished with orange zest.

    Chocolate orange brownies FAQs:

    Are these brownies vegan?

    No, this is not a vegan brownie recipe as these brownies are made with eggs. I have not tried making them without eggs or with any egg replacements, and am not sure they would turn out if you try to do so.

    Can I substitute the cashew butter?

    Yes. If you can't have cashew butter I recommend using almond butter or sunflower seed butter instead.

    What if I don't have coconut sugar?

    I would use brown sugar instead (just note that brown sugar is not considered paleo).

    Are these brownies paleo?

    Yes they are.

    Other brownie recipes you will love:

    • Peppermint brownies cut into pieces and topped with crushed candy canes.
      The Best Paleo Peppermint Brownies
    • A cherry brownie topped with a fresh cherry cut in half.
      The Best Cherry Brownies (so fudgy!)
    • A stack of three avocado brownies topped with chocolate chips on a plate.
      The Best Gluten-Free Avocado Brownies (flourless, dairy-free & paleo)
    • One large piece of a dairy free brownie with caramel drizzled on it.
      The Best Dairy-Free Brownies with Caramel (gluten-free & paleo)

    Since you made it this far we are basically best friends so be sure to follow me on Instagram, Pinterest, TikTok and Facebook where I share even more recipes and healthy living tips! And don’t forget to leave this recipe a star review before you go!

    Recipe

    A stack of orange chocolate brownies, one with a bite out of it.

    Chocolate Orange Brownies

    These are the best orange chocolate brownies. Rich and chocolatey they have the most amazing flavour and you will love that they are gluten free and dairy free.
    5 from 7 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine: American
    Diet: Gluten Free, Low Lactose
    Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 22 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 37 minutes minutes
    Servings: 16
    Calories: 228kcal
    Author: Dr. Erin Carter

    Equipment

    • standing mixer
    • 8 inch square baking dish

    Ingredients

    Brownie Ingredients

    • 3 large eggs
    • 1/3 cup coconut sugar
    • 2 cups almond flour
    • 1/3 cup cocoa powder or cacao powder
    • 2 tablespoon coconut flour
    • 1 teaspoon baking soda
    • pinch sea salt
    • 1 tablespoon orange zest
    • 1/2 cup orange juice
    • 1/3 cup cashew butter
    • 1/3 cup melted coconut oil
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
    • 2 dark chocolate bars, melted (6 ounces)

    Icing Ingredients

    • 1 dark chocolate bar (3 ounces)
    • 2 tablespoon coconut oil
    • 1/4 cup orange juice

    Instructions

    Brownie Instructions

    • Preheat your oven to 350F.
    • In your standing mixer, or with your hand mixer, beat the sugar and eggs on high for 3-5 minutes, until they are frothy and lighter in color.
    • Stir in the remaining brownie ingredients (try not to over-mix).
    • Grease an 8″x 8″ pan with coconut oil or line it with parchment paper.
    • Transfer the dough to the pan and spread it evenly with a knife or spoon (Tip: the dough is quite sticky, so you may want to wet your spoon to help spread it more easily).
    • Place in the oven and bake for 20-22 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted inside comes out clean.

    Icing Instructions

    • Place a small pot on the stove on low heat.
    • Add all the ingredients and stir until melted. NOTE: Don't let the icing come to a boil, if it does it gets very clumpy.
    • Pour over the brownies once they are cooked and allow it to cool.

    To serve

    • Cut the brownies into pieces, then enjoy!

    Notes

    1. Try not to over-mix the batter for these brownies or they will become more cakey rather than fudgy. 
    2. Do not try swapping the flours in this recipe. 
    3. Nutritional values are an estimate and will vary depending on the exact ingredients used. 

    Nutrition

    Calories: 228kcal | Carbohydrates: 12g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 19g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 0.01g | Cholesterol: 31mg | Sodium: 89mg | Potassium: 130mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 71IU | Vitamin C: 6mg | Calcium: 44mg | Iron: 2mg
    Tried this Recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @pureandsimpleno or tag #pureandsimpleno!

    DISCLAIMERS: The statements made on this website have not been approved by the Food and Drug Administration or Health Canada. The information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent disease. You assume full responsibility for how you use this information. Always consult with your physician or other health professionals before making any diet or lifestyle changes. This post may contain affiliate links whereby if you purchase these products I receive a small percentage of the sale price. This allows me to keep the blog running and I thank you for allowing me to do that!

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    A photo of Dr. Erin Carter wearing a floral dress in her kitchen.

    Hi everyone!

    My name is Dr. Erin Carter and I am so thrilled you are here. I am a physician with specialties in both internal medicine and rheumatology, and I believe that food and healthy living are forms of medicine. In my spare time I share health information and delicious, healthy recipes here on Pure and Simple Nourishment.

    More about me

    Spring Recipes

    • A bottle of dill pickle salad dressing with cut up pickles beside it.
      Dill Pickle Salad Dressing with Pickle Juice (so easy!)

    • A lemon lavender cookie on a baking sheet with a bite out of it and surrounded by lemon slices.
      Lemon Lavender Cookies (gluten-free option)

    • Two ginger turmeric shots in glass bottles with white lids surrounded by ginger, turmeric, orange slices and lemon slices.
      Easy Lemon Ginger Turmeric Shots Recipe & Benefits (no juicer)

    • A jar of raspberry chia pudding topped with fresh raspberries and white chia seeds.
      5 Ingredient Raspberry Chia Pudding

    • A jar of chocolate orange overnight oats garnished with orange zest.
      The Best Chocolate Orange Overnight Oats

    • A bowl of coconut whipped cream.
      Easy Coconut Whipped Cream (vegan, dairy-free)

    Health Info

    • A collage of different air fryers with the title "Non-Toxic Air Fryers" over them.
      6 Non-Toxic Air Fryers - without Teflon or PFAS (2025 Update)

    • A collage of many different sunscreen bottles with the title The Best Safe Sunscreens Over them.
      10 Non-Toxic Sunscreens (tried and tested)

    • Two girls laying on the beach with their legs in the air and the title "how to choose a safe sunscreen" over them.
      How to Choose Non-Toxic Sunscreen & the Best Brands

    • A collage of toothpastes, flosses, and bamboo toothbrushes with the title "the best natural dental care products" above them.
      Non-Toxic Dental Care Products

    Popular Recipes

    • A paleo apple pie bar with a bite out of it and pieces of cooked apples beside it.
      Healthy Apple Pie Bars (gluten-free, vegan & paleo)

    • A gluten free burger in a bun with lettuce, tomato and ketchup.
      The Best Gluten-Free Burgers Recipe (so juicy!)

    • A loaf of gluten free chocolate chip banana bread cut into pieces.
      The Best Gluten-Free Chocolate Chip Banana Bread (dairy free & paleo)

    • A paleo chocolate chip zucchini muffin with a bite out of it.
      Gluten-Free Chocolate Chip Zucchini Muffins (dairy-free & paleo)

    • A bowl of Whole30 asian coleslaw with dressing being poured on it.
      The Best Healthy Asian Coleslaw Salad

    • A jar of berry cheesecake overnight oats topped with fresh berries with a spoon in it.
      The Best Berry Cheesecake Overnight Oats

    Footer

    featured on:

    Sign up for emails and updates!

    Sign me up!
    • Privacy Policy
    • Accessibility Policy
    • Contact
    • Services
    • ↑ back to top

    Some of the links on this website are affiliate links whereby we make a small percentage if you purchase the product through that link. It does not cost you anything extra and helps us keep this website running. As an Amazon associate we earn a small percentage from qualifying Amazon purchases.

    Copyright © 2025 Pure & Simple Nourishment - Powered by Feast+

    22 shares
    22 shares

    Rate This Recipe

    Your vote:




    A rating is required
    A name is required
    An email is required