A simple, easy, DIY gift idea for rich and fudgey gluten-free brownie mix. So easy to make, and a perfect gift for anyone in your life who loves chocolate! Includes dairy-free & vegan options.
Every year I do a huge holiday baking day. I usually invite hermano to “help”, and he’ll mix a few things, and then he just lays around…that is until I need a taste tester. 😉
I do enjoy it, but I usually end the day totally exhausted and swearing off ever stepping foot in my kitchen again. And don’t even think about getting me to cook dinner. It always ends up being a Chipotle night, even though all I really ever want at the end is greasy, cheesy pizza. But let’s be honest, all I ever want is greasy, cheesy pizza. And chocolate. And fro-yo.
The truth is, DIY mixes are so expensive at places like Starbucks or the Hallmark store, and they seem like a novelty item, but they are really easy to put together, far less time consuming than huge batch baking, and really inexpensive. The biggest expense ends up being the jars, but if you go to the dollar store, a thrift store, or hit the clearance section of your craft store, you can get them very reasonably.
Not to mention, the store-bought mixes are loaded with refined flours, and often times lots of weird preservatives. By making them yourself, you can control what goes in, and that includes changing things up, and adding your own mix-ins. If you know the person you’re giving it to loves chocolate and peanut butter, you could add some mini peanut butter cups, or Reese’s Pieces.
I just joined The Recipe ReDux which is a challenge hosted by dietitians to create unique and delicious recipes that are also healthy. While brownies are still somewhat indulgent, it is the holidays, and these are 100% whole grain, and the butter is replaced with nonfat yogurt. So you can have your cake brownie and eat it too. 😉
I just took my favorite brownie recipe, and layered the dry ingredients in a jar–it literally took less than 5 minutes, and you can easily do the same thing with any of your favorite recipes. I use my gluten-free baking blend, but you could use white whole wheat flour, or almond meal, or any blend of your own. All you need to add are eggs and some nonfat vanilla yogurt–everything else is included. You could also keep it dairy-free by using coconut oil instead of yogurt, or vegan by replacing the eggs with 2 tbsp cornstarch and 1/3 cup almond milk–so it can work for anyone in your life!
A simple, easy, DIY gift idea for rich and fudgey gluten-free brownie mix. So easy to make, and a perfect gift for anyone in your life who loves chocolate!
Ingredients
- 1 cup + 2 tbsp gluten-free baking blend (or white whole wheat flour
- dash salt
- 2/3 cup granulated sugar
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 2 tbsp cocoa powder, preferably Dutch process
- 1/2 tsp espresso powder
- 5 1/2 oz dark chocolate, about 1 scant cup
- 1/2 cup nonfat vanilla yogurt
- 2 eggs
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, whisk flour and salt together. In a 3.5-4 cup jar, layer ingredients in order listed. You may change the order as long as you leave the chocolate chips on top. Use a tablespoon to smooth down after each layer for the best visual effect.
- To make brownies, preheat oven to 350. Line a 9" square pan with aluminum foil and spray with nonstick spray. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, melt the chocolate and let cool. Stir in yogurt, whisk eggs in one at a time. Gently fold in remaining ingredients until just combined.
- Transfer to prepared baking tin and bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out mostly clean with a few crumbs, about 30 minutes. Cool completely in pan then serve. Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
Notes
Recipe easily doubled in a larger jar. Feel free to add mix ins of your choosing.
For dairy-free brownies, replace yogurt with melted coconut oil For vegan brownies, also replace egg with 2 tbsp cornstarch and 1/3 cup almond milk.
This is such an adorable idea. I just sent the link to my mom since she has a friend who is gluten-free. It would make for such a cute housewarming gift!
Oh yay!! Thanks Erin!
These are so cute Ari! What a cute idea. I’ve always wanted to do this for cookies!
Oh my gosh, anyone in your life would be totally lucky to get a cookie mix jar from you! You should do it with your funfetti cookies! 🙂
OMG this looks amazing Ari!!
<3
Love these gift jars- I don’t think I’ve ever seen brownies though. Such a cute hostess/teacher gift!
Yes!! I wish more people would give out at least slightly healthier treats this time of year. I always end up with a million chocolate bars that I really don’t want to eat, but obviously I would be a big fan of lightened up brownie mix. 🙂
THE PERFECT gift for the baker!! And Melanie is right, such a good gift for the teacher or hostess too! 🙂
Exactly! And I feel like we don’t realize how much little gifts can mean to the people we give them to!
What a great gift idea! This would be perfect for my kids teachers. Thanks Ari!
Oh my gosh, can you all send your kids to my school? I love that you’re thinking of things to get their teachers! 🙂
this is such a great gift…for me 🙂
and me!!!
love this idea! perfect for the holidays!!
This is a great gift idea! I love these kinds of gifts!
This would make such a beautiful and thoughtful gift. Thank you for the vegan options.
Of course!! 🙂
What an adorable brownie mix! It would makes such a cute little gift! Love that it’s gluten free- I am learning more and more about gluten-free diet, and this festive looking recipe is just great!
I never ever thought I would go gluten-free because I’m really not intolerant and it seemed like such a fad to me, but as soon as my husband needed to give it up, I just kind of naturally did too, and I am shocked at how little I miss it, and how great the alternatives are!
What an awesome idea! I think I’m going to make this for L’s preschool teachers!
Awww that’s so sweet! Seriously, homemade gifts are the things that make me cry when kiddos/parents give them to me!
This is such a great gift idea, especially because not everyone wants to spend a lot of time in the kitchen and DIY gifts are so thoughtful! Pinned.
Yay!! Thanks Katy!
Welcome to the Redux Ari. Your photos are always so beautiful, so I guess I shouldn’t be surprised that you managed to make this jar seem yummy too. Lol! I will be sharing this post for sure:)
You are so sweet. It’s funny because (like I said before) I am always in awe of your photos. I feel like we are probably our own worst critic, and don’t see our own photos the way other people see them. You totally made my day today!! 🙂
such a great idea! I’ve been wanting to make these for the last couple years. Someday I’m gonna do it! 🙂
Your pics are gorgeous too! awesome!
Awww thanks Mollie! It’s really super easy, and the best part? NO DISHES! 😉
Gorgeous photos…love the little teaspoon of cocoa next to the jar. Great point that the jarred mixes are so “expensive” (I think that’s what you meant instead of “inexpensive”) But they are so easy and festive to make. And love that I only have to add 2 ingredients to this version…easy peasy!
I am the queen of typos. Thanks for pointing it out, and for the sweet comment about the photos! 🙂
I love the idea of these “kits” for gifts, this looks and sounds delicious!
Love this brownie mix jars. Totally cute and perfect for the holiday gifts. Your photos are lovely too!
Thanks so much Anne! 🙂
HI! Could one use Rice flour? Somebody gave me a bunch and I’d love to use it up.
Hi Cindy, all gluten-free flours act differently, and while you probably could sub rice flour, I wouldn’t recommend it. The baking blend calls for 3 parts brown rice flour and regular rice flour may be used in it’s place, but the other two flours are necessary for creating a good texture.
Why in the world isn’t there any fat in the recipe? How can you have a baked good turn out flavorful without butter or at least full-fat yogurt?
This is a (at least mostly) healthy recipe blog. I have made these brownies several times and they always turn out great! I always get l;ots of compliments, and people normally are surprised to hear that they’re healthy. There is fat in the chocolate chips, which helps ensure the rich brownie (not cake-y) texture. I got the idea from the No Pudge brownie mix that calls just for nonfat yogurt, and it’s fantastic. If you prefer a more indulgent dessert, you can sub the yogurt for butter, coconut oil, full fat yogurt, or whatever you like. Enjoy!