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BLOOD ORANGE BLOSSOM FUDGE BROWNIES (VEGAN OPTIONAL).

My favorite vegan fudge brownies (from Laura Wright's The First Mess) are topped with a luscious layer of tangy blood orange blossom frosting. It's a citrus season Valentine's Day dream, vegan optional! 
Prep Time 35 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 2 minutes
Servings 16

Ingredients
  

Fudge Brownies from The First Mess

  • 3/4 cup smooth, unsalted, unsweetened nut or sunflower seed butter (I used almond)
  • 3/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
  • 1/4 cup + 2 tablespoons maple syrup
  • 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup chopped bittersweet chocolate (70%), plus more for garnish
  • 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 3 tablespoons coconut flour
  • 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon sea salt

Blood Orange Blossom Frosting

  • 1/2 cup blood orange juice, from 2-3 medium blood oranges
  • 2/3 cup heavy whipping cream, divided
  • 1/3 cup whipped cream cheese
  • 1/3 cup crème fraîche
  • 3 tablespoons honey or sweetener of choice, or more to taste
  • 1/2 teaspoon orange blossom water

Instructions
 

Fudge Brownies from The First Mess

  • Preheat oven to 350ºF and line an 8x8" pan with parchment paper—give yourself some parchment overhang on all sides.
  • In a medium saucepan over low heat, combine the nut butter, applesauce, maple syrup, and vanilla extract. Stir until smooth, then add in the chopped chocolate and cocoa powder. Stir until completely smooth. Remove from heat.
  • Add the coconut flour, baking soda, and sea salt, and mix until smooth.
  • Pour the batter into the prepared pan, and bake for 25-30 minutes, until the brownies are firm and have a few light cracks on the top.
  • Remove from the oven and immediately pop the brownies in the freezer. Allow them to cool completely, then transfer to the fridge for at least an hour.

Blood Orange Blossom Frosting

  • Place blood orange juice in a small saucepan and bring to a boil, uncovered. Reduce to a high simmer and continue to simmer until the juice has been reduced by about half, 20-25 minutes. Place in fridge to cool.
  • When brownies are ready to frost, add 1/3 cup of the heavy cream to the cream cheese in a large mixing bowl. Mix on low until completely smooth—you're doing this to eliminate any clumps that might come from the cream cheese. Then add the remaining heavy cream, crème fraîche, honey (adjust sweetness as needed, acidity of citrus may vary), and orange blossom water and mix on high until medium peaks form.
  • Once the frosting is holding its shape, add in 3 tablespoons of the reduced blood orange juice. Use a silicone spatula to mix.
  • Once the brownies have chilled in the fridge, slather the frosting on top and sprinkle with finely chopped chocolate to garnish. To slice, run a sharp knife under hot water, dry, and cut. Keep frosted brownies in the fridge until ready to serve.
  • For a vegan variation, substitute the whipping cream, crème fraîche, and cream cheese for 2-3 cups of chilled coconut cream!