The Best Orange Chocolate Brownies (gluten-free)

These are the best 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. 

Table of Contents

• Why you will love this recipe:
• Ingredients and substitutions:
• How to make (step-by-step):
• Top tips:
• Recipe variations and add ins:
• How to serve:
• How to store:
• Frequently asked questions:
• Other 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.
• 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 healthier compared to most other brownie recipes. 
• They are delicious served warm or cold and they store well in the fridge so they are perfect for meal prep.

If you love orange chocolate you will also love homemade orange chocolate fudge.

Ingredients and substitutions:

• 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 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!
• 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.

How to make (step-by-step):

Step one:

First, preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

Step two:

In your standing mixer, or with your hand mixer, beat the coconut sugar and eggs on high for 3-5 minutes, until they are frothy and light in color. 

Step three:

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

Step four:

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).

Step five:

Bake the brownies for 20-22 minutes.

Step six:

While the brownies are baking you can make the icing by placing a small saucepan on the stove on low heat and adding all the icing ingredients to the pot. 

Step seven:

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.

Step eight:

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

Step nine:

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

Top tips:

• Do not try swapping the flours in this recipe.
• Try not to 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 or it will turn clumpy.

Recipe variations and add ins:

• To keep these brownies refined sugar free be sure to use chocolate sweetened with coconut sugar.
• I have not tried making these brownies without eggs and don't think they would turn out if you try any egg replacers.
• For even more orange flavour add a teaspoon of orange extract or an extra tablespoon or orange zest.

How to serve:

These 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). 

How to store:

Store these 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.

Frequently asked questions:

Other recipes you will love:

• Paleo peppermint brownies
• Orange chocolate overnight oats
• Paleo brownies with caramel
• Cherry brownies
• Avocado brownies

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