Preheat your oven to 350°F. This step is crucial for ensuring your brownies bake evenly and come out perfectly. While the oven is heating, line the bottom of an 8-inch baking pan with parchment paper. This will help prevent the brownies from sticking to the pan, making it easier to lift them out later.
In a medium bowl, stir together the almond flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. Mixing these dry ingredients well ensures that your brownies will have an even distribution of flavor. Set this mixture aside while you work on the wet ingredients.
In a separate medium bowl, use an electric hand mixer to beat together the coconut sugar and melted coconut oil. Beat just until the sugar is moistened; it should have a slightly gritty texture. Be careful not to overmix, as we want the sugar to retain some texture for that delightful bite.
Add the egg, egg yolk, and vanilla to the wet mixture. Mix until they are just combined—about 20 seconds should do it. Remember, you want to avoid incorporating too much air into your batter.
Pour the dry ingredients into the bowl of wet ingredients. Using a wooden spoon, gently stir the mixture together until well combined. You should see no pockets of dry ingredients. Be cautious not to overmix; the batter will be thick, but that’s exactly what you want!
Now, it’s time to fold in the dairy-free mini chocolate chips. This step adds little pockets of rich chocolate throughout your brownies. Stir just enough to evenly distribute them in the batter.
Press the thick batter into the prepared baking pan. It can be a bit sticky, so using lightly damp hands or a piece of waxed paper can help you spread it evenly. Make sure to press it down firmly, so the brownies bake evenly.
Place the baking pan in the preheated oven and bake for about 26 to 28 minutes. To check for doneness, insert a toothpick in the center; it should come out clean with a few crumbs clinging to it.
Once baked, remove the brownies from the oven and let them cool completely in the pan. This cooling step is essential, as it helps the brownies firm up for easier slicing.
Once cooled, carefully lift the brownies out of the pan using the parchment paper. Slice into squares and serve. Enjoy the deliciousness!