~Amanda~
Holiday season is upon us and it is by far my favorite cooking season because of all the delicious meals and celebrations to prepare for. I am also so excited because I absolutely love to bake and will take any excuse to do so. My great baking excuse right now is the annual Earth Balance Holiday Bake-Off. Each year Earth Balance has a baking contest for people to come up with new vegan baking recipes using one (or more) of their products. The categories are pies, savory baked goods, cakes and cupcakes, and cookies and bars. This was the perfect reason for me to test out some tasty holiday recipes and come up with something new, delicious, vegan… and of course gluten free! After some careful consideration I decided to do a twist on something that I absolutely love, something that’s a great treat to bring to holiday parties, and something that utilizes not one, but TWO Earth Balance products; I made these amazing Vegan Peanut Butter Brownie Bites. YUM!
I think brownie bites are some of the best holiday treats because they’re quick and easy to make, they are super simple to transport to different events and parties, and they’re an easy pleaser because the majority of people I know just love chocolate and peanut butter, especially when combined into brownies. To get started on making these delicious treats, you first combine a stick of Earth Balance butter with a flax egg mixture (eggs aren’t vegan, so you can make ‘flax eggs’ using ground flax meal and water, so simple!), sugar, vanilla, baking powder, salt, and the key ingredient; cocoa powder! In a separate bowl combine the flour with the chocolate chips. The reason for doing this is so that the chocolate chips get coated in flour which will keep the incorporated in the batter and prevent them from falling to the bottom of the pan. If you are making these brownies gluten free using an all-purpose gluten free baking flour, you will also want to add in ¼ teaspoon of xanthan gum, which acts as a thickener in baked goods.
Now it’s time to combine everything; add the flour mixture to the chocolate mixture and stir until smooth. Scoop the batter into mini muffin tins (that you’ve either placed liners in or greased with coconut oil) until about ¾ of the way full. Now it’s time to add the peanut butter! Place a small dollop of Earth Balance peanut butter in the center of each brownie bite and then swirl it into the batter using a toothpick or thin knife. Pop the brownies into the oven for just about 12 minutes and you’re ready to enjoy these scrumptious pieces of holiday heaven! Whether you’re looking for a delicious treat to bring to your next holiday party or just something yummy to have around the house, these brownie bites are sure to please (and the fact that they’re vegan and gluten free is just a bonus!) HAPPY BAKING!
- 1 stick Earth Balance butter, melted
- 2 tablespoons ground flax meal + 5 tablespoons water, combined
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3/4 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
- 1/2 cup all natural cocoa powder
- 3/4 cup all-purpose baking flour (gf*)
- *If using gf baking flour add ¼ teaspoon xanthan gum
- ½ cup chocolate chips
- 4 tablespoons Earth Balance peanut butter
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line 18 mini-muffin tins with liners (or grease with coconut oil).
- In a medium bowl whisk Earth Balance butter with flax mixture, sugar, vanilla, baking powder, salt and cocoa powder until smooth.
- In a separate bowl, combine the flour (and xanthan gum for gluten free brownies) with the chocolate chips. Add to bowl of wet ingredients and stir to combine.
- Spoon brownie batter into prepared mini-muffin tins, about ¾ of the way full. Place a small dollop (about ½ teaspoon) of peanut butter in the center of each brownie and use a toothpick to swirl peanut butter into the brownie mixture.
- Bake for 12 minutes. Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes and then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Store brownie bites in airtight container for up to 5 days.
Sound tasty. Could these be made without peanut butter?
Absolutely! Just fill up the cups a little bit fuller with the brownie batter and bake as directed 🙂 ENJOY!