Ultimate Gluten-Free Vegan Brookies: Chewy, Fudgy Chocolate Chip Cookie Brownies for Everyone!

Chewy, fudgy, and undeniably the best of two beloved classic desserts, these gluten-free vegan chocolate chip cookie brownies, affectionately known as brookies, are here to solve your dessert indecision once and for all. This exceptional allergy-friendly treat is meticulously crafted to be free of common allergens, including gluten, dairy, egg, soy, peanuts, and tree nuts. Yes, that means it’s completely top-8-free, making it a perfect indulgence for almost everyone at your table! Get ready to experience a truly decadent dessert that caters to various dietary needs without compromising on flavor or texture.

Growing up, my mom was a prolific baker, and her kitchen was always filled with the comforting aromas of freshly made treats. I cherish countless fond memories of perching on the tall chairs that faced our stove, chatting with her as she expertly whipped up something truly delicious. Those early experiences instilled in me a profound love for baked goods and a massive sweet spot for anything warm, homemade, and utterly delightful. The simple joy of watching ingredients transform into a magical dessert cemented my lifelong appreciation for the art of baking.

My husband, on the other hand, is and always has been a “candy man.” He possesses an uncanny ability to devour handful after handful of candy, seemingly immune to sugar rushes or diminishing enjoyment. His preferences leaned towards the brightly colored, store-bought variety, a stark contrast to my homemade baking passion.

Unfortunately (or perhaps fortunately, depending on how you look at it!), his love for all things sweet has rubbed off on me over the years. Now, I find myself equally capable of enjoying a sophisticated homemade dessert as I am of indulging in a quick grab-and-go sugary treat from the gas station. It’s a sweet predicament, truly! There are very few sugary things I don’t enjoy anymore, and honestly, someone send help – my willpower for sweets is practically non-existent. But, when it comes to combining two of the greatest desserts into one, like these incredible gluten-free vegan brookies, who can resist? Because, as the saying goes, YOLO – you only live once, so why not make it deliciously sweet?

These gluten-free vegan chocolate chip cookie brownies are more than just a dessert; they’re an experience. The brownie layer is perfectly chewy, rich, and deeply fudgy, providing a solid, satisfying base. Nestled on top is a layer of buttery (yet completely dairy-free, of course!) chocolate chip cookies that melt in your mouth. Together, these two elements create a divine dessert that truly hits every sweet spot imaginable. The textural contrast between the dense brownie and the slightly crisp, tender cookie is simply perfection, making every bite an absolute pleasure.

When crafting these delightful brookies, I particularly enjoy marbling the cookie dough into the brownie layer. My technique involves grabbing about a tablespoon of cookie dough, pressing it flat between my hands, and then gently laying these flattened pieces on top of the pre-baked brownie base. This method allows little “rivers” of the fudgy brownie to peek through the golden cookie layer, creating a visually stunning effect that’s as appealing to the eye as it is to the palate. While you could certainly opt for a smooth, even layer of cookie dough, I find the marbled look adds an extra touch of artisanal charm. Opting for this marbling approach often leaves me with about a quarter-cup of delicious chocolate chip cookie dough leftover. And let me tell you, my kids are always more than happy to oblige in devouring it straight from the bowl! One of the truly wonderful perks of baking egg-free is the complete absence of guilt when enjoying a spoonful (or many!) of raw cookie dough.

Lately, our household has been awash in leftovers as we prepare for a big move next week, diligently working to clear out our fridge and pantry. (EEK! I truly can’t wait for the new adventure, but simultaneously, I know moving is going to be the death of me!). In this chaotic period, I’ve been especially grateful for these gluten-free vegan brookies. They serve as the perfect bribery tool to coax my kids into eating that leftover chili… *again*. The phrase, “But if you eat a good dinner, you can have a brookie!” has become a staple, and it works like a charm every time. It’s amazing what a little promise of a delicious, allergy-friendly treat can do to motivate even the pickiest eaters.

Honestly, my kids and I have absolutely inhaled these gluten-free vegan brookies so quickly that I don’t even think my poor husband has had a chance to try any. Between his demanding work schedule and taking two classes, he’s been incredibly busy. But that’s okay! Good thing I know his sweet tooth well; I can just offer him some leftover Starburst jelly beans, and he’ll be perfectly satisfied (mostly because he won’t even realize what an incredible, fudgy, chocolatey experience he’s missed out on!). These brookies are truly a testament to how utterly delicious allergy-friendly desserts can be.

So, if you’re in search of an impressive dessert to bring to a party, a potluck, or simply to enjoy at home, these gluten-free vegan brookies are an impeccable choice. I promise you, no one will ever suspect they are so remarkably allergy-friendly. The texture is absolutely spot on, delivering those coveted crisp edges and a wonderfully fudgy, gooey center – just like the cherished brownies my mom used to make. They offer all the familiar comfort and indulgence without any of the common allergens, making them a safe and delightful treat for everyone to enjoy.

P.S. – Did you happen to notice that tell-tale bit of grease on the paper bag in the photos? That, my friends, is the unequivocal sign of a truly good brookie! BAM! A little grease never hurt anyone, and before you start feeling any unwarranted guilt about it, rest assured – it’s just coconut oil, for Pete’s sake! This healthy fat contributes to the incredible fudginess and rich texture that makes these brookies so irresistible.

And lest you imagine that making two separate batters might be overly complicated or time-consuming, let me assure you: both batters are incredibly simple to prepare. I start by making the brownie batter first, and here’s a pro tip – you don’t even need to rinse out your KitchenAid mixer before moving on! You can prepare the chocolate chip cookie dough in the very same mixing bowl. This brilliant shortcut saves both time and dishes. Furthermore, since the brownie layer needs to bake for the first 10 minutes on its own, you can efficiently use that waiting period to whip up the cookie dough. You’d be standing around waiting for the brownies to cook anyways, so why not be productive? It genuinely adds no additional time to the overall process! Plus, by the time you’re ready for the second batter, you’ll already have a majority of the ingredients out and prepped. So… have I convinced you yet to make these incredible, top-8-free brookies? Huh? Huh? What are you waiting for?

Did I mention it’s almost my birthday? I’m honestly considering these glorious gluten-free vegan brookies as a strong contender to replace my traditional birthday cake this year. Seriously, it’s going to be really hard to top a dessert this epic!

I sincerely hope that you and your food-allergic family can wholeheartedly enjoy these fantastic gluten-free vegan brookies. They are a labor of love designed to bring joy and deliciousness to every table, regardless of dietary restrictions.

If you need some other variations to explore: For those seeking a paleo version, be sure to check out these amazing paleo brookies from my friend at Perchance to Cook. If dairy isn’t an issue for you, then you absolutely must try these delightful Dulce De Leche Brownies by my friend Amanda at Eat At our Table. And for those who can enjoy eggs and almond flour, my friend Texanerin has an excellent recipe for Protein Brownies that are sure to satisfy.

Gluten-free Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookie Brownies (AKA Brookies)

Yield:
9 bars

Prep Time:
10 minutes

Cook Time:
20 minutes

Total Time:
30 minutes

Chewy, fudgy and the best of two classic desserts, these gluten-free vegan chocolate chip cookie brownies, also lovingly known as brookies, will make your dessert indecision a thing of the past. This allergy-friendly treat is free of: gluten, dairy, egg, soy, peanut & tree nuts. It’s top-8-free too!

Ingredients

BROWNIE LAYER:

3/4 cup gluten free flour
3/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup cocoa powder
3/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon xanthan gum (omit if your gluten-free flour already has this in its blend)
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup coconut oil
2 flax eggs (2 Tablespoons of ground flax + 5 Tablespoons water)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIE LAYER:

1 stick vegan butter (1/2 cup)
3/4 cup white sugar
2 Tablespoons brown sugar, packed
1 Ener-G egg (1 and 1/2 tsp Ener-G + 2 Tablespoons water)
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1 and 1/8 cup gluten-free flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon xanthan gum
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup vegan/dairy-free chocolate chips

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
In a mixing bowl combine the dry ingredients for the brownies: gluten-free flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, xanthan and salt.
Next, add the melted coconut oil, the flax eggs and the vanilla. Stir to combine. The dough will be thick, be sure you mix well.
Smooth batter evenly with greased hands into a greased 9×9 baking dish.
Bake for 10 minutes (or more, depending on how gooey you like them.)
While the brownies are baking, make your chocolate chip cookie dough layer.
In the same mixing bowl (the brownie batter should have come out cleanly, if not, they will mix together anyways,) mix the vegan butter and the sugars. Cream until they’re fully mixed.
Next, add the rest of the wet ingredients: Ener-G egg and vanilla.
Add in the baking soda, xanthan and salt and mix well.
Next add in your gluten free flour and combine.
Finish by stirring in your chocolate chips.
After the brownies have cooked, pull them out and layer the cookie batter on top. I did this by grabbing about a Tablespoon’s worth at a time, and pressing it in between my hands to flatten it and then layering it on top of the brownie mixture. Be careful as the brownies are hot! You can either marble it like I did, so you have some brownie showing through, or use all of the dough and make a thicker layer. My kids were happy to eat about the 1/4 cup of leftover cookie batter I had.
Bake for the final ten minutes.Or until the top is golden brown and the edges are set–may vary depending on ovens.
This is the hard part, but allow the brookies to cool completely before cutting and enjoying. Note that it will puff up a bit while cooking and will settle a bit while it cools.
Keep covered room temperature for 1-2 days–if they can last that long!

Notes

Brownie layer adapted from my The Best Gluten-free Vegan Allergy-friendly Brownies.

Cookie layer adapted from Pinch of Yum.

DON’T FORGET TO PIN THIS, SO YOU DON’T LOSE IT! ALSO, BE SURE TO CHECK OUT MY OTHER ALLERGY-FRIENDLY PINTEREST BOARDS FOR MORE INSPIRATION!

If you’re looking for even more delightful allergy-friendly brownies and cookies, you’ve come to the right place. Explore these fantastic recipes:

Triple Layer SunButter Brownies (Top 8 Free!) – Experience a decadent three-layer treat that’s completely free of the top 8 allergens, featuring a rich SunButter flavor.

Brownie Sundae Cups (Top 8 Free!) – These individual brownie cups are perfect for parties, offering a fun and customizable dessert that everyone can enjoy.

Black and White Cookies (Top 8 Free!) – A classic cookie reimagined to be allergy-friendly, these soft cookies are half vanilla, half chocolate, and entirely delicious.

Allergy-friendly Homemade Oreos (Top 8 Free!) – Recreate the iconic cookie sandwich at home with this safe and scrumptious recipe, perfect for dipping in your favorite plant-based milk.