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Paleo Coconut Cream Brownies

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Paleo coconut cream brownies are gluten-free, refined sugar-free, and flour-free but they’re still 100% decadent and delicious. You’ll never miss the sugar!

overhead photo of the paleo coconut cream brownies in a pan with a spatula spreading the topping

Helllllooooooo! Happy 2018! How were your holidays? Were they wonderful? Did you stay up ’til midnight and eat your weight in junk food?

Cookie and I had a ridiculous amount of fun visiting family last month; she especially loved the part where she broke the zipper on her carrier 20 minutes into the flight up to Oregon and got to spend the rest of the flight in my lap. . . #dogmomproblems

But anyway, if you’re like me, you spent December eating cookies for breakfast and potato chips for dinner, and you woke up on the first day of the new year resolving to make a few changes.

Errrr, slight changes. Ever-so-slight.

Maybe, just maybe, it’s time to eat a smidge less refined sugar. (I know! Who am I right now?)

I’m all about indulging at times, but doing it every day for a month has left me feeling like I need to eat nothing but carrots and celery until Easter.

stack of paleo coconut cream brownies with more paleo brownies in the background

And since I’ve been meaning to get more into paleo baking for the sake of my gluten-intolerant and sugar-shunning loved ones, a new year seemed like the perfect opportunity.

When it comes to brownies, I want ooey, gooey, fudgy bites of chocolate heaven. I’d rather have no brownies at all than eat a “healthy” version with anemic flavor and questionable texture.

So I’ve been tweaking this paleo brownies recipe for months now trying to get it exactly where I, with my high standards, want it.

Fudgy and rich with a swoon-worthy OH-SO-CREAMY coconut topping, no one would ever guess these coconut cream brownies are refined sugar-free AND gluten-free. (Truly, you’ll want to eat the coconut cream topping with a spoon. It’s insane in the most delicious way possible.)

Paleo coconut cream brownies are perfect for those of us trying to eat less refined sugar, but they’re also great for people who like a traditional gluten- and sugar-filled treat.

Because paleo coconut cream brownies are the best of both worlds: healthy and decadent.

Just like I’m hoping 2018 will turn out to be! Or something like that 🙂

Note: if you prefer your paleo brownies with paleo chocolate frosting rather than coconut, the frosting I used in these paleo chocolate zucchini donuts is perfect.  Top your cooled brownies with that frosting instead of the coconut cream topping, then refrigerate to set the chocolate.  It’s like a chocolate ganache brownie without the guilt!

brownie with a bite taken out of it with more paleo coconut cream brownies in the background

5 from 1 vote
Paleo coconut cream brownies are gluten-free, refined sugar-free, and flour-free but they’re still 100% decadent and delicious. You’ll never miss the sugar! #paleo #paleodessert #glutenfree #sugarfree #brownies
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Paleo Coconut Cream Brownies
Prep Time
20 mins
Cook Time
30 mins
Total Time
50 mins
 

A fudgy brownie topped with a sweet and creamy coconut topping--no one believes this dessert is paleo!

Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Servings: 12 brownies
Author: Kelsie
Ingredients
Brownies:
  • 1/2 cup cacao powder
  • 1/2 cup flaxseed meal
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon espresso powder optional
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup full-fat coconut milk
  • 3 large eggs
  • 1/4 cup raw honey
  • 1 tablespoon creamy almond butter
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/3 cup Paleo-friendly dark chocolate finely chopped
Coconut cream topping:
  • 1 13.5-ounce can full fat coconut milk
  • 1/4 cup arrowroot powder
  • 3 tablespoons honey
  • 1/8 teaspoon salt
  • 3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 3/4 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
Instructions
Brownies:
  1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Grease an 8-inch square baking pan with coconut oil and line the bottom with parchment paper. Set aside.
  2. Combine the cacao powder, flaxseed meal, baking soda, espresso powder, and salt in a medium mixing bowl and whisk to combine.
  3. Whisk the coconut milk, eggs, honey, almond butter, and vanilla extract together in another medium bowl. Gradually stir the cacao mixture into the coconut milk mixture until just combined. Fold in the chopped chocolate.
  4. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top. Bake 20 to 26 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with just a few crumbs. Cool completely on a wire rack.
Coconut cream topping:
  1. Combine the coconut milk, arrowroot powder, honey, and salt in a small saucepan set over medium heat. Cook, whisking constantly, until mixture thickens significantly and no liquid remains. (It will begin to bubble a little and look like it’s not really thickening, then all of a sudden it will get thick.) Remove from the heat and stir in the vanilla and coconut.
  2. Spread over the cooled brownies and refrigerate until coconut layer sets. Slice into bars and serve.

Adapted from Paleo Desserts for Dummies

Comments

  3. Miriam @londonkitchendiaries says

    What a great recipe to start the new year with! I am always on the lookout for delicious gluten-free recipes so this is right up my alley, especially since I can’t resist anything chocolate 🙂 Happy New Year, Kelsie!

    Miriam x

    Reply

  5. Katherine | Love In My Oven says

    I definitely need to just eat celery and carrots until Easter!!! So much indulging in December. I always, always need a little something sweet though – so these are PERFECT! I can’t wait to try them. Love that there is actually flaxseed in them. I can basically eat them for breakfast, right? You’re off to a great start to the year, Kelsie!

    Reply

    • Kelsie says

      They’re totally a breakfast food! (Well, I’ve been making them a breakfast food, haha!). Thank you, Katherine!

      Reply

  6. kitchenwits says

    Those look really impressive! I’ve never worked with arrow root powder before, anything I should know about it’s thickening power and how it compares to other thickening agents?

    Thanks for the post!

    Reply

    • Kelsie says

      Thank you! To me, arrowroot powder is very similar to cornstarch in its thickening abilities but that could just be my perception. I’ve read that arrowroot shouldn’t be used as a thickener in sauces that use dairy but I’ve never tried it myself so I don’t know exactly what the consequences are.

      Reply

  8. marcie@flavorthemoments says

    These brownies look downright AMAZING! I love that coconut cream frosting….chocolate and coconut are one of my favorite combos! Happy New Year Kelsie!

    Reply

  9. The Home Cook's Kitchen says

    happy 2018!!!! omg I wish archie was small enough to fit under my seat on the plane! these brownies look SO good, and I can’t believe they’re paleo + healthier! ha ha my news year resolution to drink less wine, boring! ha ha and maybe cut back on the sugars! have a wonderful year Kelsie!

    Reply

  10. Leanne | Crumb Top Baking says

    Happy New Year Kelsie! These brownies sound like my kind of clean eating dessert! And they look fabulous! The coconut cream topping sealed the deal for me! I’m saving this one for later….and by later, I mean this weekend! They are on the baking list!

    Reply

  13. Milena Perrine says

    Yey! You are back, Kelsie! Missed your posts over the holidays, but glad to hear you had such an amazing time. These paleo brownies bring me back memories of when about nine years ago I was told to eat gluten free (and I did for the longest time). Much has changed since:) I would still devour an incident count of these if I found myself at your house:) They look scrumptious. Looking forward to your new recipes!

    Reply

  14. Dawn @ Girl Heart Food says

    Happy 2018 to you and Cookie! Glad you had a nice holiday!!! These brownies are the perfect balance between treat and healthy. I absolutely love the coconut cream on top. Coconut is one of my fave things ever so these are pretty much meant for me 😉 Have a great upcoming weekend! Can’t wait to see all your delicious recipes in the year ahead 🙂

    Reply

  18. Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary says

    Happy New Year, girlie!!! I’m thrilled to hear you had a great holiday season! Our’s was pretty fantastic as well. We ate amazing food, binge watched a ton of TV, and basically lived the best cozy life possible. 😉 Anyways, LOVING these brownies!! I absolutely LOVE ME some coconut, so these have me wishing I wasn’t allergic to cocoa! Going to have to make these for Boy, because YUM! Cheers, doll!

    Reply

    • Kelsie says

      Happy New Year to you too, Chey! Just a little hint: the topping is delicious on its own. I definitely made an extra batch to eat with a spoon. I mean, it’s a health food right? 🙂

      Reply

  20. gardeningfoodie says

    Happy 2018 to you and Cookie, Kelsie 🙂 I am glad that you both had a great holiday!
    Now a recipe like this is a great way to start the year, I definitely had my fill of sweets and cakes last month and looking to eat a bit less sugar. I love how perfect this recipe sounds, sugar and gluten free and still so delicious.
    I definitely can eat the entire batch by myself ( which I will 🙂

    Reply

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