Publised on 21/03/2024. Last Updated on 27/09/2024 by Richard
Use up leftover Easter treats with these kid-friendly vegan Easter chocolate brownies. Deliciously rich and fudgy!
Imagine sinking your teeth into a square of vegan easter chocolate brownies so rich and fudgy, it practically dances the cha-cha in your mouth. These aren't just any brownies; they're a celebratory twist on the classic, made with all your left-over vegan Easter chocolate eggs and topped with crunchy vegan eggs. The perfect blend of gooey, crunchy, and utterly chocolaty, these brownies are a dream come true for any chocoholic celebrating Easter the vegan way. And guess what? They're easy-peasy to whip up!
As you know, I LOVE a chocolate recipe (especially this chocolate mousse cake and my chocolate lava cakes) but I also BLOOMIN love vegan Easter eggs. I'm like a little kid - something about that crack and crunch just gets me, every time! So here's my attempt to make brownies in a way that uses up all that extra vegan easter chocolate!
Jump to:
- 🥚 Is Easter Chocolate Vegan?
- 🐣 The Best Vegan Easter Chocolate (UK)
- 📝 Vegan Easter Chocolate Brownies Ingredients
- 🔀 Ingredient Substitutions and Swaps
- 🍫 How to Guarantee Fudgy Vegan Brownies?
- 🤲 How to Make Vegan Easter Chocolate Brownies
- 🤷♀️ Vegan Easter Chocolate Brownies FAQs
- Vegan Easter Chocolate Brownies
🥚 Is Easter Chocolate Vegan?
Ah, the million-dollar question: is Easter chocolate vegan? Well, you might be surprised to learn that a lot of dark choc (with over 54% cocoa solids), is actually vegan-friendly. But – and it’s a big but – always, always check the label. Some brands like to sneak in milk solids or other animal-derived ingredients where they’re least expected.
There are also wonderful dedicated brands for plant-based Easter treats! I've included a list of the best brands in the UK below, to help you buy with confidence!
🐣 The Best Vegan Easter Chocolate (UK)
Brand | Best Product | Price |
H!p Chocolate | Salted Caramel Oat Milk Easter Egg | £10 |
Nomo | Choc Fudge Bunnies | £2.50 |
Moo Free | Caramel Mini Eggs | £3.50 |
Divine | 70% Cocoa Dark Chocolate Egg (I used this in this recipe) | £5.00 |
Doisy & Dam | Dark Chocolate "Good Eggs" (I used these in this recipe) | £2.25 |
📝 Vegan Easter Chocolate Brownies Ingredients
Alrighty, let’s talk ingredients. To make these fabulous vegan easter chocolate brownies, you’re gonna need:
- Plain white flour
- Cocoa
- Baking powder
- Fine sea salt
- Caster sugar
- Water
- Dark chocolate Easter egg pieces (vegan, of course)
- Vegan butter
- Vanilla extract
For the topping, you’ll want:
- Vegan white or milk chocolate Easter egg pieces
- Vegan mini eggs or any other vegan Easter chocolates
Simple, right? These ingredients come together to create magic. Or brownies. Chocolatey, fudgy, vegan Easter magic brownies.
🔀 Ingredient Substitutions and Swaps
Got allergies or can't find some ingredients? No worries! Here’s a handy list of substitutions:
- Plain white flour ➜ Gluten-free flour blend, for simple GF brownies!
- Sugar ➜ Brown sugar or coconut sugar, for a caramel-like flavour
- Vegan butter ➜ Any neutral vegetable oil will do
- Dark chocolate egg pieces ➜ Any dark vegan chocolate you love!
🍫 How to Guarantee Fudgy Vegan Brownies?
I get it, some people love a cakey brownie and some love a fudgy one! But if you're in camp fudgy (Hi, I'm your camp leader!) here's how to guarantee fudgy vegan brownies, EVERY TIME!
- Fat-to-Flour Ratio: Use a higher amount of fats (like oils, vegan butter, or chocolate) compared to flour. This makes brownies dense and moist.
- Underbake Slightly: Remove brownies from the oven when the edges are set but the centre is slightly underdone. Don't worry, they continue to cook with residual heat.
- Cool Completely: Let vegan brownies cool in the pan to set properly. For an extra fudgy texture, chill them in the fridge before cutting! 😋
🤲 How to Make Vegan Easter Chocolate Brownies
Making vegan easter chocolate brownies is super simple, but the method may be unfamiliar to you! I've designed this recipe to guarantee a crispy, shiny top and fudgy, rich texture! Full recipe at the bottom of the page, but here's a visual walk-through for you!
Mix your dry ingredients. Sieve is the word of the day. This prevents the baking powder and cocoa from clumping, leaving you with lumpy brownies.
Create your chocolatey syrup on the stove! This is to ensure even chocolate distribution throughout the batter, but also to allow the sugar to dissolve, which guarantees a crackly finish on top.
Pour into a prepared brownie tin and bake! The brownies may appear under-done, but don't worry! This is how we make sure they're nice and fudgy textured!
Cool, then go wild with the topping. The messier, the better. Kids love this bit, and they can't really go wrong, so get them involved!
🤷♀️ Vegan Easter Chocolate Brownies FAQs
A: Yes, absolutely! If you don't have vegan butter on hand, you can use other plant-based oils such as coconut oil, vegetable oil or sunflower oil as a substitute. Each oil may change the texture slightly, making the brownies cakey, so use vegan butter if you like your vegan brownies fudgy.
A: To keep vegan brownies fresh, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. If you prefer them chilled or want to extend their shelf life, you can store them in the refrigerator for up to a week.
A: Not all dark chocolate Easter eggs are vegan, even though dark chocolate has a higher cocoa content and might seem like a vegan-friendly option. Many brands include milk derivatives or other animal products in their dark chocolate. Always check the ingredient list for non-vegan items like milk fat, milk solids, or whey.
And bingo, you've got yourself a tray of delicious vegan Easter chocolate brownies! Want more Easter recipes? Why not try my Vegan Eggs Benedict for breakfast, my Spring Veg Creamy Pasta, or my Cardamom Hot Cross Buns!? Looking for a simple vegan snack? Try my Vegan Rice Krispie Treats! I've also made this super handy list of all my favourite vegan Easter recipes for you!
Vegan Easter Chocolate Brownies
Equipment
- 23x23cm brownie pan
- Medium Bowl
- Sieve
- Saucepan
Ingredients
For the Brownies
- 150 g plain white flour aka all purpose flour
- 30 g cocoa powder
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ⅛ teaspoon fine sea salt
- 265 g sugar
- 150 ml water
- 200 g dark chocolate Easter egg pieces roughly chopped
- 50 g vegan butter or vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For Topping
- 120 g vegan white or milk chocolate Easter egg pieces roughly chopped
- 100 g vegan mini eggs or any other vegan easter chocolates
Instructions
To make the brownies
- Preheat the oven to 170 °C (fan). Line a 23x23cm brownie pan with greaseproof paper. Set aside.
- In a medium bowl, sieve and mix together the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder and sea salt.150 g plain white flour, 30 g cocoa powder, ½ teaspoon baking powder, ⅛ teaspoon fine sea salt
- In a saucepan over low heat, combine the sugar and 150ml water. Stir until the sugar is completely dissolved and you’re left with a smooth syrup.265 g sugar, 150 ml water
- Add the dark chocolate, vegan butter and vanilla extract and whisk constantly until the chocolate is just melted. Remove from the heat and set aside.200 g dark chocolate Easter egg pieces, 50 g vegan butter, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- While the mixture is still warm, add to the flour mixture and stir until completely combined. Working quickly, pour the batter into the prepared brownie tin. Do not smooth out the surface. Place in the oven and bake for 20 minutes.
- Remove from the oven and allow to cool completely.
To top the brownies
- Melt the vegan white chocolate in the microwave and drizzle over the top of the cooled brownies.120 g vegan white or milk chocolate Easter egg pieces
- Crack half of the vegan mini eggs with a rolling pin and sprinkle all of them over the still-melted white chocolate. Leave to set before slicing and serving.100 g vegan mini eggs or any other vegan easter chocolates
BH
These came out so fudgy. Definitely better when served refrigerated. New favorite recipe.