These gluten-free dairy-free cappuccino brownies were my first adventure into dairy free baking. I’m always up for a challenge in the kitchen but I had a lot to learn. If this is new to you keep reading and I'll share what I needed to know before I even got into the kitchen.
Below are the notes I made for participants at my first in-person dairy-free gluten-free baking class.
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Ingredients
Dairy proteins cause difficulty for almost half of those with celiac disease, especially in the first one to two years after diagnosis. That's why I thought I better learn a bit about dairy free options.
- dairy free chocolate baking pieces or chocolate chips
- dairy free margarine
- sugar
- instant coffee granules
- eggs
- vanilla extract
- EGFG gluten free flour blend
- dairy free milk
- dairy free cream cheese
- cinnamon
See recipe card for exact amounts.
Instructions
My sister gave me espresso cups and I wanted to try baking something in them as well as the mini loaf pans from a friend. Inspired by my Layered Cappuccino Brownies I used a tried-and-true recipe and created a unique presentation. I love doing this!
It seemed fitting to make a cappuccino flavoured brownie in an espresso cup but I that meant you wouldn't see the layers. I turned the cream cheese layer into a whipped topping to resemble the foam on a cappuccino. Grated chocolate and a sprinkling of cinnamon finished it off.
I did a similar variation with a ramekin and mini loaf pans. Some of them got topped with crushed Easter eggs.
Introduction to Dairy-Free for Gluten-Free Cooks
Dairy Free Baking
- Dairy includes milk, cheese, yogurt, butter and other products from cows, goats and sheep so must be avoided.
- These products all come from animals. A vegan diet is free from animal products so if you see packaging that says vegan it will be dairy free.
- Eggs are not a dairy product so can be used in dairy free baking.
- Health food stores often have a better selection of dairy free products than grocery stores.
Butter Substitutes
- Coconut oil, vegetable oil, shortening and margarine can all be substituted for butter.
- Becel, Earth Balance, Spectrum Organics and Melt are brands that are both gluten free and dairy free.
- You may need to add 2 tablespoon of water to each 1 cup of vegetable shortening when substituting for butter in baking.
- ½ cup oil plus ½ cup fruit puree can be used in place of 1 cup of butter.
- ¾ cup vegetable oil can be substituted for 1 cup of butter.
Non-Dairy Milk Substitutes
- Almond milk, rice milk, soy milk, coconut milk and others are available at grocery stores and health food stores.
- Large sizes are usually found near the milk section, smaller sizes are available with canned milk and other non-refrigerated milk products.
Dairy Free Chocolate
- Baking chocolate and chocolate chips often contain milk.
- Enjoy Life and Cuisine Camino are brands that are dairy free and gluten free.
- In recipes calling for unsweetened chocolate you may need to adjust the amount of sugar called for if your dairy free chocolate has added sugar.
Gluten-Free Dairy-Free Cappuccino Brownies
Ingredients
BROWNIE
- 4 oz dairy free chocolate baking pieces (or chocolate chips)
- ¾ cup dairy free margarine
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon instant coffee granules lightly crushed in your hand
- 2 eggs
- 2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1¼ cups EGFG gluten free flour blend* (163 g)
- ¼ cup dairy free milk
DAIRY FREE CREAM CHEESE TOPPING
- 8 oz dairy free cream cheese room temperature
- 6 tablespoon dairy free margarine room temperature
- 1½ cups icing sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
GARNISH** – grated dairy free chocolate and cinnamon
Instructions
BROWNIE LAYER
- Preheat oven to 350°F and lightly grease baking pans (any size you like).
- Put chocolate in a small bowl and microwave on high for 1 minute. Stir and heat for another 30 seconds if needed. Stir vigorously until almost smooth.
- Add margarine to chocolate and microwave 30 seconds at a time, stirring until smooth. Watch closely so it doesn't burn.
- Add sugar, stir and set aside.
- In large bowl of an electric mixer beat eggs and vanilla. Add chocolate mixture and stir.
- Add flour and dairy free milk, stir until combined.
- Divide batter into espresso cups, mini loaf pans, muffin tins or an 8-inch square baking pan. Baking time will vary depending on the pans you choose.
- Bake 20-22 minutes depending on the depth of the pan.
- Let brownies cool completely before adding cappuccino topping.
CAPPUCCINO TOPPING
- In electric mixer beat dairy free cream cheese and margarine until smooth.
- Slowly add icing sugar, vanilla and cinnamon.
- Transfer to piping bag. Pipe onto brownie in a way that looks like the cappuccino you would get in a cup. If you make a real cappuccino pattern on top you MUST tag me with your photo on Instagram. @everyday.gf.gourmet
- Sprinkle with grated chocolate and an extra dash of cinnamon for the full effect.
Notes
Nutrition
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New here? Overwhelmed or frustrated? Get started with these 29 Tips about GF flour and get cooking. I can help you learn to cook gluten free food everyone wants to eat, and have fun doing it.
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Steshni Corea
Love this when I dont feel like having dairy