Chocolate Chip Reindeer Brownies

Wet Ingredients:

• ½ cup vegan butter
• ½ cup brown sugar
• ½ cup white sugar
• 100g vegan chocolate bar, melted
• 4 tbsp brewed coffee
• 2 tbsp ground flax + 6 tbsp water (flax eggs)
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Dry Ingredients:

• ⅓ cup cocoa powder
• ¾ cup Western Family All-Purpose Flour
• 1 tsp Western Family Baking Powder
• ½ tsp salt

Mix-Ins:

• Western Family Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips or chunks (to taste)

Decorations:

• Western Family Pretzels (for antlers)
• Candy googly eyes
• Swedish Berries (for Rudolph’s nose!)
• Extra melted chocolate (for decorating)

Directions:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8x8 baking pan with parchment paper. 
2. Make the flax egg: In a small bowl, stir together the ground flax and water. Let sit for 5 minutes to thicken.
3. In a medium mixing bowl, cream together the vegan butter, brown sugar, and white sugar until light and fluffy.
4. Add the flax egg and beat using an electric mixer for 2–3 minutes until fully combined.
5. Add the melted chocolate, brewed coffee, and vanilla. Mix again until smooth.
6. Sift in the cocoa powder, then add flour, baking powder, and salt. Mix until just combined— do not overmix.
7. Gently fold in Western Family Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips.
8. Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan and smooth the top.
9. Bake for 25–35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with a few moist crumbs.
10. Allow to cool completely in the pan before cutting.

To Decorate:

1. Once cooled, cut brownies into squares or rectangles.
2. Use melted chocolate as "glue" to attach the decorations:
   1. Press two pretzels into the top corners of each brownie for antlers
   2. Add candy googly eyes
   3. Finish with a Swedish Berry for the nose—Rudolph-style!

Tip: Use a small spoon or toothpick to help dab the melted chocolate where needed.