Van Leeuwen-Inspired Vegan Chocolate Fudge Brownies
Decadent vegan brownies rich with cocoa and smooth coconut oil, inspired by Van Leeuwen Ice Cream’s indulgent creations. This american-inspired vegan (vegan, dairy-free) ready in about 38 minutes layers all-purpose flour, unsweetened cocoa powder, baking powder into a dessert worth slowing down for — great for weekend baking, holiday tables, or any time you want a sweet payoff at the end of a meal. Each serving lands at about 150 calories and feeds 16, so it slots into a weekend bake or a special-occasion dessert tray. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup, melted coconut oil
- 1 cup, packed brown sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup unsweetened almond milk
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1/2 cup dairy-free chocolate chips
- 1/3 cup (optional) chopped walnuts
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F. In a medium bowl, whisk 1 cup all-purpose flour, 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder, 1/2 tsp baking powder, and 1/4 tsp salt.
- Step 2: In a large bowl, whisk 1/2 cup melted coconut oil with 1 cup packed brown sugar until smooth. Add 1 tsp vanilla extract, 1/2 cup unsweetened almond milk, and 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar, whisking to combine.
- Step 3: Gradually add dry ingredients to wet, stirring until just combined. Fold in 1/2 cup dairy-free chocolate chips and 1/3 cup chopped walnuts if using.
- Step 4: Pour batter into a greased 8x8-inch square pan and smooth the top. Bake for 25-28 minutes until a toothpick inserted comes out with moist crumbs. Cool completely before slicing into 16 squares.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Van Leeuwen-Inspired Vegan Chocolate Fudge Brownies take to make?
Total time is about 38 minutes (10 min prep + 28 min cook). Most home bakers find this fits a weekend afternoon; chill or store as the recipe directs before serving.
How do I store leftover Van Leeuwen-Inspired Vegan Chocolate Fudge Brownies?
Cool fully before storing. Most baked desserts keep at room temperature in an airtight container for 2–3 days, or in the fridge for up to 5 days. Cream- or custard-based desserts must go in the fridge within 2 hours; reheat gently or serve cold per the recipe.
Can I substitute ingredients in Van Leeuwen-Inspired Vegan Chocolate Fudge Brownies?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Van Leeuwen-Inspired Vegan Chocolate Fudge Brownies for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 16 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 16). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
Is Van Leeuwen-Inspired Vegan Chocolate Fudge Brownies vegan?
Yes — this recipe is tagged vegan, dairy-free based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
