After making the caramel dip last week, I knew that I had to use it for more than just apple dipping.
So what do I automatically associate with caramel? Yes...apples...I know. And...? Chocolate. Right!
What do I think of when I hear the word chocolate? Brownies!
Put the two together and we're ready for some Vegan Caramel Brownies!
I know, I don't really have to hype up caramel brownies. They speak for themselves but I do have to talk them up a little. First off, these are super-rich brownies. They are similar to my Drop Dead Coffee Brownies except that these actually have less added sugar and a bit less chocolate. So you won't drop dead from these brownies but pretty close. The name Near Death Caramel Brownies just didn't sound right to me. So I ended up being boring and just calling these Vegan Caramel brownies. Oh well...Deal with my lameness :)
So where was I? Oh right...brownies!! Drool! The incredible thing about these brownies is that they can't quite make up their mind on what they want to be. When you first take them out of the oven, let them cool (only slightly because who in their right mind can wait for them to fully cool?), and cut out a piece, they taste cake-like. Then when they have had time to cool completely they tend to be more fudgy brownies.
Seriously brownies, make up your mind! Though this is good news for people like me, who have trouble answering the question, "What kind of brownies do you like?". How is that even a legitimate question? Brownies are brownies and I'm going to eat them all!
So how do you go about making these rich, cakey yet fudgy vegan caramel brownies?
Melt your favorite chocolate with raw cane sugar and coconut oil. You can really use any type of vegan chocolate that you like. It can be chocolate chips, chocolate bars, or chocolate chunks. I used Enjoy Life Chocolate Chunks but I've made these before using their vegan mini chocolate chips as well.
The important part here is to take your time melting your chocolate. Don't be tempted to turn up the heat to melt it faster. Even over low-medium heat, it will only take a few minutes for the chocolate to melt. However, if you burn your chocolate, you'll have to throw it away and start over. Even the best caramel won't be able to mask the taste of burnt chocolate.
Mix the chocolate with the rest of your dry ingredients and pour it into your pan.
All that's left to do then is swirl in the caramel and...
... bake them!
Yes, I know. This is the hard part. Waiting. I swear it feels worse than waiting for Christmas when I was 5. Eventually, they will cool down a bit so that you can cut them and devour them!
The result: Incredible Vegan Caramel Brownies that are incredibly hard to resist. The whole wheat flour (which can be substituted) in these brownies will help you keep feeling full longer. However, that rich chocolaty caramel smell will have you crawling back to the kitchen for more :D
Vegan Caramel Brownies
Ingredients
- 7 oz Vegan Chocolate chips, chunks, bar, etc. I used Enjoy Life Mega Chunks, it was about 1 ½ cups
- ⅓ cup Raw Cane Sugar
- 5 tablespoon Coconut Oil melted
- ¾ cup Whole Wheat Flour
- ½ teaspoon Baking Soda
- ¼ teaspoon Salt
- ⅔ cup Apple Sauce
- ¾ cup VFR's Caramel Dip
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 375F (190C) and grease and flour a 9x9 inch cake pan.
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Melt vegan chocolate, sugar, and coconut oil over low-medium heat in a small saucepan, stirring constantly. Remove from heat and set aside.
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In a medium mixing bowl, combine flour, baking soda, and salt. Add apple sauce and melted chocolate mixture. Stir with a wooden spoon until combined.
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Spread mixture into cake pan.
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Bake in oven for 30 minutes, testing with a toothpick to ensure they are done. Remove from oven and allow to fully cool before cutting into squares.
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Brownies will keep in an air tight container for up to 1 week.
Recipe Notes
1) Coconut oil can be substituted with an equal amount of melted vegan butter or margarine.2) I prefer using whole wheat flour but it can be substituted with all-purpose flour as well.
Don't forget to make the caramel dip for this recipe!
Just follow the recipe exactly. It will make the ¾ cup needed for this recipe.
Not really into caramel in your brownies? Try any of my other vegan dessert recipes!
Maria G. says
These look delicious – as usual!
Ceara @ Ceara's Kitchen says
Okay, Vanessa - these brownies look AMAZING! I wish I had one to enjoy with my tea this evening and then another one for breakfast tomorrow! :) Adding these to my list of recipes to make from your blog!! :) I made your chia seed chocolate chip cookies again and they seem to get better every time we make them!! :)
Oh and by the way, I love the new logo!
Vanessa says
Thanks Ceara! You're so sweet :D You have so many lovely recipes on your blog that I need to try too. My list of recipes to try is sooo long! I can't keep up :) I'm still so stuck on your amazing risotto though. I make it at least once a week. It's sooo good!
Maegan says
Thanks for sharing this recipe! I had to make them as soon as I discovered. Impatiently waiting for them to cool now so we can try. Smells heavenly :)
Maegan says
I havs to comment again. These are amazing!! I made some nice cream to go with. Sooooo good
Vanessa says
Hi Maegan, I'm so glad you made these! I've made them 4x times now. I'm so addicting! I haven't added vegan ice cream on top but it's super stupid of me not to! Sounds delicious. Or I should break the brownie apart and sprinkle it over some ice cream...mmm. yum! O.K. making a new batch now :D
The Vegan 8 says
These look so delicious!! I love, love caramel in brownies! I make sweet potato caramel blondies and they to die for, haven't added them to chocolate yet though. These sound and look amazing and may just have me drooling a bit!! Seems like a perfectly good recipe to add in leftover caramel if you ask me!!
Vanessa says
Ooo sweet potato caramel blondies sound delicious too! I'll have to put those my list of recipes to try :)
Linda @ Veganosity says
As if brownies could get any better! These look incredible Vanessa! I'm going to whip up a batch today so my husband and I can gorge on them tonight. Lent begins tomorrow and I'm giving up refined sugar for the next forty days, this recipe came at the perfect time. Thank you!
Anu-My Ginger Garlic Kitchen says
Wow! Definitely a must try recipe here Vanessa! This is just so mouthwatering! Loved your photographs too! :-)
Manali @ CookWithManali says
Wow, the brownies look insane! I need to try these Vanessa!
The Wellness Wife says
These are beautiful! I can taste them now. Pinning for the next time I need a chocolate fix!
Charlene says
I am new to your website and the recipes look delicious!! With the vegan caramel brownies - can you substitute another type of flour? My daughter has to eat gluten free and I was wondering if this is possible. thank you!
Vanessa says
Hi Charlene, Thanks so much for stopping by :) If you want to make these brownies gluten-free, you'll want to use a gluten-free flour mix. There are a lot of gluten-free flour mixes you can buy but they tend to be expensive. Easiest is to just make it yourself. This is one that seems very easy. If you only use one type of gluten-free flour in baking it will usually make the brownies too crumbly, dry, and not edible. Hope you find a great blend that works well for you :)
Vendula says
Hi Vanessa,
your recipes and websites are wonderful.
Today I have baked this brownies and it taste really great. But unfortunately it does not hold together. It is very crumbly :( Do you have idea what can be a problem? Thanks
Vanessa Croessmann says
Hi Vendula, The only thing I can think of is that you might have had it in the oven a bit too long. The longer it's in the oven, the more moisture leaves the brownies and the crumblier they will get. Glad they still tasted great though :D
Ella Harris says
Hello! I made your recipe a few weeks ago and the brownies were delicious. I made the mistake of adding the 'caramel' too soon, won't do that again! About a week later, I made a recipe for black bean brownies to compare the two. VFR's Caramel Brownies won hands down! Thank you for both recipes!
Vanessa Croessmann says
Hi Ella, this comment made my day :) The caramel brownie recipe is one of my favorites. I'm so so glad you liked them even with the caramel added in early!
Heeral says
These turned out absolutely amazing and tasted even better when chilled overnight! This will definitely be my go to for future brownie baking:)
Vanessa Croessmann says
Thanks Heeral! Just made this weekend again. I'll have to put them in the fridge next time too and see :) Love caramel brownies :)
Victoria says
Found this recipe to make something healthy for 4th of July. Since July 4th, I have made these 3 times!!! Soooo sooo good!! How can one control themselves to NOT eat the entire batch?? Thank you for an amazing vegan brownie recipe!
Vanessa Croessmann says
Awesome Victoria! I keep making these over and over again as well! I have to keep myself from eating them all while they are still hot in the pan. Such addicting vegan brownies :)
Tara says
I tried making these brownies yesterday. The recipe is solid, however I made them with unsweetened chocolate, I just felt like they could be so much better with semi sweet chocolate... I'll try again this weekend :)