Brownie Pine Cones

Grain-Free Brownie Pine Cones

Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Grain-Free option, Nut-Free option, Paleo option

These brownie pine cones have a cake-pop like texture, with a crunchy exterior from either gluten-free cereal chocolate shells or sliced almonds. Feel free to dust them with powdered sugar right before serving to give them that extra wintry and snowy look. They may take a few extra steps compared to a batch of cookies, but the result is so impressive and cute, it's hard to resist!

If you need a completely grain-free or Paleo option, opt for the almond & melted chocolate route. If you have access to gluten-free chocolate shell cereal and only need a gluten-free dessert, then that method may be a bit easier. No matter how you choose to whip these up, they make a fun craft and a guaranteed crowd-pleaser treat.

Gluten-Free Brownie Pine Cone Dessert with Otto's Naturals Classic Grain-Free Brownie Mix

Prep Time: 10 Minutes
Cook Time: 30 Minutes

Ingredients

Brownie Base

1 bag Otto’s Naturals Grain-Free Brownie Mix (Classic or Paleo)
½ cup oil
2 eggs

Assembly

2 cups gluten-free Choco Shells / Coco Pops Chocos cereal

*Alternatively, use 2 cups sliced almonds + 1 cup dairy-free melted chocolate

1 Tablespoon powdered sugar, optional

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 180°C/350°F and line an 8-inch square baking pan with parchment paper and set it aside.
Mix together the brownie mix, oil and eggs until smooth.
Transfer the batter to the prepared tray and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until baked through.
Once cooled, tear the brownie into chunks into a mixing bowl. Mix together with your hands or in a stand mixer until the brownie comes together like a dough,
Take half a fistful of brownie and shape into a cone shape, with a wide bottom and a pointed top. Repeat until you’ve used all the brownie mixture.
Place the Choco Shell cereal (or sliced almonds) into the brownie cones, starting from the bottom and going up to make the pine cone shape.

If using almonds, freeze the pine cones until solid before carefully covering the cones in melted chocolate. Let chocolate-covered pine cones set on parchment.