Cosmic Brownies

These TikTok viral copycat Cosmic Brownies are rich, thick and fudgy brownies topped with a smooth chocolate ganache and those cosmic candy coated chocolate bits. They are just as chocolatey and fudgy as store bought, but fresher and more flavorful since they're homemade.

Cosmic Brownies are fabulous any time of the year. This recipe uses brown sugar, corn starch and an extra egg yolk to make them thicker and fudgier like the Little Debbie Cosmic Brownies. Use your extra egg white to make our Egg White Granola. We tested these and felt like to stay true to the flavor of the real Cosmic Brownies, the ganache was just too dark with only semi-sweet chocolate chips, so the ganache on these is half milk, half semi-sweet.

This was inspired by our Peppermint Brownies on this site, and pairs well with this Brownie Oreo Trifle and our Carmel Brownie Cookies.

For another fun and nolstalgic treat that kids and adults will love, try these Dinosaur Cupcakes!

What You'll Love About This Recipe

• Quick and Easy - no, they aren't quite as easy as just going to the store and buying. But they are still easy to make and come together quickly! Plus you won't have to leave your house!
• Texture - they are so so yummy and thick and fudgy and rich. We guarantee you'll enjoy these more than the Little Debbie variety.
• Fun for Entertaining - these make a great little treat to take to a party or for entertaining at home. They are fun and yummy looking and so good!
• Kid Friendly- kids have so much fun making these, and of course have fun eating them too!

Ingredients

• butter- I used unsalted. If all you have is salted, decrease salt by ¼ teaspoon
• brown sugar - I recommend light brown sugar with this recipe, but dark may also be used.
• granulated white sugar
• vanilla- we always recommend using pure vanilla, but in this recipe imitation is fine as vanilla isn't the highlighted flavor.
• eggs- large
• flour - regular all-purpose flour
• cocoa powder - make sure it's unsweetened
• corn starch - gives it that extra chewiness that we love
• salt
• whipping cream - I used heavy, but regular would also work
• milk chocolate chips
• dark chocolate chips

See recipe card for quantities.

Instructions

For the Batter:

1. Preheat oven to 350*F. Melt butter in the microwave then whisk together in a microwave safe bowl with the sugar until well combined. Place in the microwave for 45 seconds and whisk lightly. Let sit for 2 minutes. Microwave an additional 30 seconds and whisk. The mixture should be smooth and the sugars should be dissolved. Microwave an additional 30 seconds if necessary.

2. Add 2 whole eggs + one egg yolk to the butters and sugar. Whisk vigorously until silky and smooth. About 40-90 seconds depending how vigorously you whisk. You'll know when you're done because it will look nice and smooth.

3. Add the dry ingredients to the batter. Using a spatula and a folding motion, combine the dry ingredients and the wet ingredients. Check out this video for more information on how to fold, if necessary. Fold only until no white specks remain.

4. Place in a greased 8x8 baking dish. I like to add parchment paper to the bottom for easier removal, but you don't have to. Bake for 24-30 minutes. The top will start to get that crackly top and a toothpick should come out clean. Allow to cool completely. You can speed up the cooling by placing it in the refrigerator after it has cooled on the counter at least 45 minutes first.

For the Ganache:

5. Once the brownies are completely cooled, make the ganache. Measure semi-sweet and milk chocolate chips into a glass bowl. Microwave whipping cream in a microwave safe bowl until hot and bubbly, about 60 seconds. Pour on top of chocolate chips and allow to sit for 30-60 seconds then whisk until smooth.

6. Allow the ganache to cool for a couple of minutes then pour on top of the cooled brownies. Spread it smooth and allow set aside until cooled. Once they are cooled to room temperature, sprinkle the rainbow coated chocolate chips on top and dig in! We recommend using a plastic knife to cut brownies, but a metal knife will work too.

Hint: Don't over bake the brownies! They will be dry and crumbly. For fudgy, moist brownies, remove from oven as soon as they are done! An inserted toothpick should come out either clean or it might have a little bit of moist crumbs on it. If there is wet batter on the toothpick, they need more time.

Substitutions

• M&M's - use mini M&M's instead of rainbow coated chocolate chips. They taste almost the same and are a lot less expensive.
• Icing- you can make these with an icing instead of ganache, if desired. Simply use your favorite chocolate icing recipe to use instead.
• Dairy Free - These can be made dairy free by using plant butter instead of dairy butter and switching out the ganache for your favorite vegan chocolate icing.

Variations

• Milk Chocolate - these brownies are pretty rich and a little dark. If you prefer something milkier use only milk chocolate chips in the ganache and exchange 2 Tablespoons of the cocoa powder for 2 Tablespoons of flour.
• Extra Dark - For extra dark brownies, use only semi-sweet chocolate chips and exchange 2 Tablespoons of flour for 2 more Tablespoons of cocoa powder.
• Cosmic Brownie Ice Cream- get your favorite chocolate ice cream, chop some of these up to put on top, then top with your favorite chocolate sauce and more rainbow candy coated chocolate chips.

Equipment

• 8x8 baking dish
• spatula
• mixing bowl
• whisk

Storage

Store in an airtight container at room temperature or in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. They will last longer before going bad, but we recommend eating them sooner to maintain the amazing texture!

Store fresh brownies in the freezer in an airtight container for up to 2 months. We recommend only thawing them when you are ready to eat them. Allow to thaw at room temperature for about 1 hour, then eat immediately or they will start to weep.

Recipe

Cosmic Brownies

Nicole

Homemade copycat Little Debbie Cosmic Brownies are rich, fudgy yummy treats. Make these delicious brownies even tastier from the comfort of your own home!

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5 from 8 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 mins

Cook Time 25 mins

Total Time 3 hrs 35 mins

Servings 16

Calories/serving 263 kcal

Ingredients

 

1x2x3x

For the Brownies:

• ▢ 10 Tablespoons unsalted butter
• ▢ ¾ cup granulated sugar
• ▢ ⅔ cup brown sugar
• ▢ 2 teaspoons vanilla
• ▢ 2 whole eggs plus 1 egg yolk
• ▢ ¾ cup cocoa powder
• ▢ ¾ cup all purpose flour
• ▢ 1 Tablespoon corn starch
• ▢ ½ teaspoon salt

For the Ganache:

• ▢ we tested the ganache and found using half milk chocolate chips and half semi sweet chocolate chips was more true to the real taste
• ▢ ½ cup heavy whipping cream
• ▢ ¾ cup milk chocolate chips
• ▢ ¾ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
• ▢ Rainbow candy coated chocolate chips or mini M&M's

Instructions

 

For the brownies:

• Preheat the oven to 350*F.
• Melt butter and place in a microwave safe bowl with the sugar and brown sugar. Whisk to combine. Put in the microwave in 30 second intervals, whisking between each one until smooth. The goal is to dissolve the sugars and end up with a smooth consistency. This should take no more than 3 times of being in the microwave for a total of 90 seconds.
• Add the vanilla, eggs and egg yolk and whisk vigorously until silky and smooth, about a minute.
• Add the cocoa powder, flour, corn starch and salt and fold into the wet ingredients just until the white specks of flour disappear. Don't over mix!
• Pour batter into a greased 8x8 baking dish and bake in a 350*F preheated oven for 24-30 minutes. The top will be crackly and an inserted toothpick should come out clean.
• Allow to cool on the counter for at least 30 minutes, then cool in the refrigerator another 1-2 hours. Or, cool on the counter 3+ hours.

For the ganache:

• Measure milk chocolate chips and semi-sweet chocolate chips into a heat safe bowl.
• Place heavy whipping cream in a heat safe bowl and microwave until hot and bubbly, 60 seconds.
• Pour whipping cream on top of chocolate chips and allow to sit for 30-60 seconds. Whisk until smooth.
• Pour ganache over top of the cooled brownies and spread smooth.
• Allow to cool an additional 30 minutes in the refrigerator or 1 hour on the counter. 
• Top with rainbow coated chocolate sprinkles and enjoy!!

Notes

• Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator or at room temperature for up to 3 days.
• Store fresh brownies in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 2 months. Thaw by leaving at room temperature for 1-2 hours then eat immediately.

Nutrition

Serving: 1brownieCalories: 263kcalCarbohydrates: 39gProtein: 3gFat: 16gSaturated Fat: 11gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0.3gCholesterol: 48mgSodium: 88mgPotassium: 192mgFiber: 3gSugar: 29gVitamin A: 363IUVitamin C: 0.04mgCalcium: 39mgIron: 2mg

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Food safety

• Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
• Never leave cooking food unattended
• Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove
• Don't eat raw brownie batter

See more guidelines at USDA.gov.