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Overhead view of gluten-free mint brownie squares on a white background with fresh mint leaves scattered around

Gluten-Free Mint Brownies (Dairy-Free)

5 from 5 votes
Emily Dixon, One Lovely Life
Fudgy gluten-free brownies topped with mint buttercream and chocolate ganache make the perfect retro treat! (Dairy-Free option)
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour
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Servings: 16 brownies
Calories: 178kcal

Ingredients

FOR THE GLUTEN-FREE BROWNIES:

  • 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips or dark chocolate chips allergy-friendly or dairy-free, as needed
  • 1/3 cup coconut oil or avocado oil can sub butter or vegan butter
  • 1/2 cup coconut sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1/4 cup unsweetened dark cocoa powder sometimes labeled Dutch-processed or alkalized cocoa
  • 3 Tablespoons cornstarch can substitute arrowroot
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt

FOR THE MINT LAYER:

  • 1/4 cup softened butter or dairy-free butter
  • 2 Tablespoons milk I use unsweetened almond milk
  • 2 cups powdered sugar
  • 1/4-1/2 teaspoon mint extract
  • a *tiny* pinch salt less than 1/8 teaspoon
  • 1-2 drops green food coloring optional

FOR THE CHOCOLATE GANACHE:

  • 1 cup semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips allergy-friendly or dairy-free, as needed
  • 1/4 cup milk I use unsweetened almond milk

Instructions

FIRST, MAKE THE BROWNIES:

  • Preheat & Prep. To start, preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line an 8x8" square baking dish with parchment paper or grease thoroughly. (I highly recommend parchment)
  • Melt Chocolate & Oil. In a microwave-safe bowl, gently melt together chocolate chips and oil in 20-30 second increments, stirring in-between increments, until the chocolate is completely smooth and glossy. Alternatively, you can melt the chocolate and oil together in a saucepan over low heat. Set melted chocolate aside for a moment.
  • Whisk Eggs & Sugar. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together coconut sugar and eggs 2-3 minutes, or until the mixture is slightly lighter in color and the sugar is mostly dissolved. (If you rub the mixture between your fingers, there shouldn't be a lot of grit.)
  • Combine Chocolate & Egg Mixture. Pour the melted chocolate mixture into the egg mixture, stirring to combine well. Whisk in the vanilla.
  • Add Dry Ingredients. Next, add cocoa powder, cornstarch, and salt to the batter and stir in with a spatula until just mixed.
  • Bake Brownies. Pour batter into your prepared pan and bake at 350 degrees F. for 17-20 minutes, or until the brownies are just set in the middle, and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, with just a few moist crumbs. Allow brownies to cool completely before moving on to the next step. (Feel free to refrigerate them to speed up this process.)

WHEN THE BROWNIES ARE COOL, MAKE THE MINT LAYER:

  • Combine. In a large bowl or a stand mixer, combine softened butter/vegan butter, milk, powdered sugar, mint extract, and salt. Whip or beat the frosting until it is light, fluffy and blended. Add food coloring and blend until the color is evenly distributed.
  • Adjust The Texture, As Needed. If your frosting seems too stiff to spread, add 1/2 tsp. milk at a time until it loosens back up. If it's too loose and doesn't hold its shape, add 1-2 Tbsp. powdered sugar at a time until it's spreadable and holds its shape.
  • NOTE: If your frosting seems too stiff to spread, add 1/2 tsp. milk at a time until it loosens back up. If it's too loose and doesn't hold its shape, add 1-2 Tbsp. powdered sugar at a time until it's spreadable and holds its shape.
  • Frost Brownies. When the mint frosting is the right texture, spread over the cooled brownies (an offset spatula makes this easier), doing your best to form an even layer.
  • Chill. Place the brownies in the refrigerator to chill while you prepare the ganache.

THEN, MAKE THE GANACHE.

  • Melt. In a microwave-safe bowl, combine chocolate chips and milk. Melt in 20-30 second increments, stirring in-between each increment, until the chocolate is smooth and glossy. Alternatively, you can melt the chocolate + milk together in a saucepan on the stove over low heat.
  • Frost. When the chocolate is smooth and glossy, pour it over the mint layer of the brownies and gently smooth it out to cover the mint layer (again, an offset spatula really helps!).
  • Chill To Set. Cover the brownies and return to the refrigerator to set the ganache.
  • Slice & Serve. When the ganache is set, remove the brownies from the refrigerator and slice into 16 (2x2") squares or 20 rectangles. (They're rich!) Store leftover brownies in an airtight container in the refrigerator 2-3 days, or freeze up to 2 months.

Notes

  • LET YOUR BROWNIES COOL BEFORE ADDING THE MINT LAYER! It might feel tempting to rush this step, but it will *not* end well. Your brownies need to be cool before adding the mint frosting or the mint layer will just immediately melt and turn into a liquid-y mess. Pretty please cool that brownie layer before adding the mint frosting!
  • WANT TO USE A BOXED BROWNIE MIX INSTEAD? No problem! We love the King Arthur Gluten-Free Brownie Mix. Follow the box directions to make them, then proceed with the mint layer and ganache. Important note: most mixes make an 8x8 pan of brownies, but double-check before baking since some make a 9x13" pan. If your mix makes a 9x13" pan, you'll want to double the ingredients for the mint layer and chocolate ganache.

Video

Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: gluten free BYU mint brownies, gluten free frosted mint brownies, gluten free mint brownies, gluten free mint buttercream brownies

Nutrition

Serving: 1(2x2) brownie | Calories: 178kcal | Carbohydrates: 24.3g | Protein: 1.1g | Fat: 8.8g | Saturated Fat: 6.2g | Cholesterol: 30.9mg | Sodium: 53.8mg | Potassium: 47.2mg | Fiber: 0.5g | Sugar: 21.7g | Calcium: 14.2mg

Nutrition facts are an estimate only and will vary based on brands and amounts used.