Gluten-Free Brownies

Hello friends! As you all know, I absolutely love a nourishing (& chocolatey) treat. These vegan & gluten-free brownies are super fudgy, delicious and easy to make. hope you enjoy!

Ingredients:
- 1 + 1/2 cups gluten-free plain flour (you can sub regular plain flour if not gf)
- 2/3 cup cocoa powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1 + 1/2 cups brown sugar
- 1/2 cup soy milk
- 2 tbsp flax meal
- 200g dairy-free dark chocolate
- 3/4 cup vegan butter
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup nut butter of choice (I used @pana_organic cashew caramel) (you can also sub for 1/4 cup maple syrup and reduce soy milk to 1/3 cup)
Optional:
- chopped hazelnuts/other nuts or choc pieces to add to batter + top
- extra sea salt to top

Method:
1. Preheat the oven to 170°C fan-forced (340°F). Grease and line a 20cm square baking tin with olive oil/vegan butter and baking paper.
2. Sieve flour, cocoa powder and salt into a large mixing bowl. Add brown sugar and mix lightly. Create a well in the centre of the mixture.
3. In a small bowl, combine soy milk and flax meal. Set to the side for 60 seconds.
4. In a small saucepan over low-medium heat over the stove, melt and combine dark chocolate and vegan butter. Once melted, remove from heat.
5. Add melted chocolate and butter, vanilla, flax meal mixture and maple syrup to the dry ingredients. Use a spatula to stir together, ensuring not to over mix.
6. Add any extra chocolate or nuts to the brownie batter and mix them in.
7. Transfer the brownie batter to the lined baking tin, evenly spreading the mixture and topping with extra salt flakes, nuts or chocolate if desired. Place in the oven and bake for 35-40 minutes.
8. After removing brownies from the oven, leave to cool in the baking tin for 1 hour. Then, transfer to a wire cooling rack and cut into 12 or 16 pieces.
9. Enjoy warm or cold as is or with dairy- free ice-cream or cream.