Are you searching for a dessert that satisfies your sweet tooth without the guilt? Look no further than these incredible Vegan Sweet Potato Brownies! Imagine rich, intensely chocolatey, and delightfully fudgy brownies that are also dairy-free, gluten-free, and packed with wholesome ingredients. It might sound like a dream, but this recipe makes it a delicious reality.
We all love a good brownie, but sometimes we crave a healthier option. That’s where the humble sweet potato shines! This incredible root vegetable acts as a natural sweetener and provides unparalleled moisture, creating a truly fudgy texture without any added butter or excessive sugar. Plus, sweet potatoes are a fantastic source of fiber, vitamins, and antioxidants, making these brownies a treat you can truly feel good about enjoying. For more insights into healthy ingredients, you might want to explore the many health benefits of sweet potatoes.
Get ready to transform simple ingredients into an extraordinary dessert that will impress everyone, regardless of their dietary preferences. Let's get baking!
Ingredients You'll Need
Before we dive into the steps, gather your ingredients. Most of these are pantry staples for healthy bakers!
Equipment:
- 8x8-inch baking pan
- Parchment paper
- Large mixing bowl
- Potato masher or fork
- Spatula
- Wire cooling rack
How to Make Vegan Sweet Potato Brownies
Making these brownies is straightforward and rewarding. Follow these steps for perfect, fudgy results every time.
Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8x8-inch baking pan with parchment paper, allowing some overhang on the sides. This will be your secret weapon for easy removal later.
Step 2: Peel and cube your sweet potato into small, even pieces. You can either steam them over boiling water or boil them directly in a pot until they are fork-tender, about 10-12 minutes. Once cooked, drain thoroughly if boiled, then transfer to a large bowl and mash until completely smooth. You should have 1 to 1.5 cups of mashed sweet potato.
Step 3: To the mashed sweet potato, add the almond butter, maple syrup, and vanilla extract. Stir well until all the wet ingredients are thoroughly combined and the mixture is smooth and creamy.
Step 4: Sift the unsweetened cocoa powder into the bowl with the wet ingredients. Add the almond flour, baking powder, and salt. Gently stir until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can make your brownies tough. The batter will be thick and fudgy – exactly what we want!
Step 5: If you desire an extra chocolatey kick, gently fold in the dairy-free chocolate chips using a spatula until they are evenly distributed throughout the batter. This step is optional but highly recommended for chocolate lovers.
Step 6: Pour the thick brownie batter into your prepared 8x8-inch baking pan. Use a spatula to spread it evenly into all corners of the pan, ensuring a consistent thickness for even baking.
Step 7: Transfer the baking pan to the preheated oven and bake for 25 to 30 minutes. Begin checking for doneness around the 25-minute mark by inserting a toothpick into the center. It should come out with a few moist crumbs, but no wet batter. If it comes out clean, they're likely overbaked for that ultimate fudgy texture.
Step 8: Once baked, remove the brownies from the oven and let them cool in the pan for 10-15 minutes. This crucial step allows them to set. After partial cooling, use the parchment paper overhang to carefully lift the entire slab of brownies onto a wire rack to cool completely. Patience is key here for perfect slices!
Step 9: Once fully cooled, slice your fudgy vegan sweet potato brownies into squares. Enjoy them as a healthy snack, a delightful dessert, or alongside a warm cup of coffee or a cold glass of plant-based milk. They are fantastic on their own, but also divine with a dollop of coconut whipped cream or dairy-free ice cream.
Tips for the Best Vegan Sweet Potato Brownies
- Don't Skimp on Mashing: Ensure your sweet potato is mashed completely smooth. Any lumps will affect the texture of your brownies.
- Quality Cocoa Matters: Use a good quality unsweetened cocoa powder for the richest, deepest chocolate flavor. It makes a significant difference!
- Chill for Cleaner Slices: While you can eat them warm, these brownies slice much more cleanly and have a firmer, fudgier texture when fully cooled, or even chilled in the refrigerator for an hour.
- Customization is Key: Feel free to add chopped nuts like walnuts or pecans, a sprinkle of sea salt on top before baking, or even a swirl of extra nut butter for a marbled effect. For more healthy baking inspiration, check out our recipe for Cherry Rhubarb Coffee Bars with Cardamom and Anise.
- Storage: Keep leftover brownies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3-4 days. They also freeze beautifully for a quick treat later! If you enjoy unique dessert flavors, you might also like our Orange Saffron Almond Cake.
FAQs
Why use sweet potatoes in brownies?
Sweet potatoes add natural sweetness, incredible moisture, and a wonderfully fudgy texture to these brownies, reducing the need for refined sugars and oils. They also boost the nutritional content with fiber and vitamins.
Can I substitute the almond butter or almond flour?
Yes, for almond butter, you can use peanut butter, cashew butter, or sunflower seed butter. For almond flour, a gluten-free all-purpose blend, oat flour, or even regular all-purpose flour (if not strictly gluten-free) can work. If using coconut flour, you'll need significantly less due to its high absorbency.
How do I know when the vegan sweet potato brownies are baked perfectly?
Insert a toothpick into the center of the brownies after about 25 minutes. It should come out with a few moist crumbs clinging to it, but not wet batter. Overbaking can lead to dry brownies, so watch them closely!
How should I store these brownies?
Store your vegan sweet potato brownies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3-4 days. For longer freshness, refrigerate them for up to a week, or freeze them for up to a month in a freezer-safe container.
Vegan Sweet Potato Brownies
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 9-12 brownies 1x
- Diet: Vegan, Gluten-Free
Description
These fudgy and healthy vegan sweet potato brownies are a guilt-free, gluten-free treat packed with rich chocolate flavor and natural sweetness.
Ingredients
1 large sweet potato (about 1.5 cups mashed)
1/2 cup almond butter (or other nut/seed butter)
1/4 cup maple syrup
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 cup almond flour
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup dairy-free chocolate chips (optional)
Instructions
Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8x8-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides for easy removal.
Step 2: Peel and cube the sweet potato. Steam or boil until very soft (10-12 minutes). Drain well if boiled. Mash until smooth. You should have 1 to 1.5 cups of mashed sweet potato.
Step 3: In a large bowl, combine the mashed sweet potato, almond butter, maple syrup, and vanilla extract. Stir until smooth and well-combined.
Step 4: Sift in the unsweetened cocoa powder, then add the almond flour, baking powder, and salt to the wet mixture. Stir until just combined, being careful not to overmix. The batter will be thick.
Step 5: If using, gently fold in the dairy-free chocolate chips until evenly distributed.
Step 6: Pour the brownie batter into the prepared 8x8-inch baking pan. Spread evenly with a spatula.
Step 7: Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with a few moist crumbs (not wet batter).
Step 8: Remove from the oven and let cool in the pan for 10-15 minutes. Then, use the parchment paper overhang to lift the brownies onto a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.
Step 9: Slice into squares and serve. Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for 3-4 days or refrigerated for up to a week.
Notes
For an extra layer of flavor, a pinch of cinnamon or a dash of espresso powder can be added to the dry ingredients. These brownies are even fudgier when chilled!
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 brownie
- Calories: 210 kcal
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 120mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
