Galactic Brownie Delight

Welcome to the ultimate guide for recreating your favorite childhood indulgence: this **Cosmic Brownies Recipe**! Prepare to embark on a nostalgic journey with ultra-fudgy brownies, crowned with a luscious chocolate ganache frosting, and sprinkled with vibrant rainbow candy pieces. This homemade version elevates the classic lunchbox treat, offering a richer flavor and superior texture that will make you forget about store-bought alternatives.

A Note from the Baker

Homemade Nostalgia in Every Bite!

I’ve always held a special place in my heart for Cosmic Brownies. You know the ones – with their impossibly fudgy base, that shiny, dreamy frosting, and the iconic burst of colorful rainbow candies on top. They were an absolute staple in my lunchbox growing up, right alongside other beloved treats like Rice Krispie Treats. It was only natural that I felt compelled to craft a homemade rendition that captures every bit of that beloved flavor and texture, but with the added bonus of high-quality ingredients and an intensified chocolate experience.

These brownies are designed to be every bit as rich and dense as the original classic, if not more so. Crafted entirely from scratch, they feature genuine chocolate for an unparalleled depth of flavor. The smooth, luxurious ganache topping melts in your mouth, perfectly complementing the chewy brownie base. To complete the iconic look, you have the freedom to choose between classic rainbow chips or mini M&M’s. Not only are these brownies incredibly delicious, but they also freeze beautifully, slice with impressive cleanliness, and are guaranteed to be the star attraction at any bake sale or birthday party.

What Makes These Homemade Cosmic Brownies Stand Out?

Forget the waxy, overly sweet taste of commercially produced brownies. This homemade Cosmic Brownies recipe is a game-changer. We’re talking about brownies that are:

• Incredibly Fudgy: Achieved through a careful balance of melted chocolate, butter, and a precise baking time, ensuring a moist, dense, and intensely chocolatey interior.
• Rich Chocolate Flavor: We use both semi-sweet chocolate chips and Dutch-process cocoa powder to build layers of deep, dark chocolate goodness that truly satisfies.
• Smooth Ganache Topping: A simple yet elegant chocolate ganache provides that signature shiny, smooth finish and adds another dimension of chocolate flavor. It’s far superior to traditional frosting.
• Iconic Rainbow Candies: The vibrant pop of rainbow chips or mini M&M’s not only provides visual appeal but also adds a delightful, subtle crunch.
• Easy to Make: Despite their gourmet taste, these brownies come together with straightforward steps, making them accessible for bakers of all skill levels.
• Perfect for Any Occasion: From nostalgic personal treats to impressive party desserts, these brownies are always a hit.

Essential Ingredients for Cosmic Brownies

Creating truly spectacular homemade Cosmic Brownies begins with quality ingredients. Here’s a breakdown of what you’ll need and why each component is crucial:

• Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips (for Brownies): These form the backbone of our fudgy brownie base. Using good quality semi-sweet chips ensures a rich, deep chocolate flavor and contributes significantly to the brownie’s dense, chewy texture. Avoid milk chocolate here, as it can make the brownies too sweet and less intensely chocolatey.
• Unsalted Butter: Adds incredible moisture, richness, and helps create that desirable fudgy consistency. Unsalted butter allows you to control the total sodium in the recipe.
• Granulated Sugar: Sweetens the brownies and plays a vital role in their texture, contributing to both chewiness and crisp edges.
• Vanilla Extract: A touch of vanilla enhances and deepens the overall chocolate flavor, making it more complex and appealing.
• Large Eggs & Egg Yolk: Eggs are crucial for binding the ingredients together and providing structure. The addition of an extra egg yolk contributes to a richer, denser, and even fudgier brownie, a key characteristic of authentic Cosmic Brownies.
• Dutch Process Cocoa Powder: This is essential for achieving that distinctive dark color and intense, less acidic chocolate flavor found in classic Cosmic Brownies. Dutch-process cocoa is treated with an alkali, neutralizing its acidity. If you only have natural cocoa, it will still work, but the flavor and color will be slightly different. Hershey’s Special Dark cocoa powder is a readily available Dutch-process option.
• All-Purpose Flour: Provides just enough structure without making the brownies cakey. We keep the flour content low to maintain maximum fudginess.
• Cornstarch: A secret ingredient that makes these brownies incredibly tender and contributes to their melt-in-your-mouth quality, preventing them from becoming dry or crumbly.
• Salt: A pinch of salt balances the sweetness and brings out the chocolate flavors, making them pop.
• Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips (for Frosting): These are melted with heavy cream to create our decadent chocolate ganache frosting. You can adjust the type of chocolate (milk, semi-sweet, or dark) to your preference, but semi-sweet offers a balanced sweetness.
• Heavy Cream: The key to a silky, pourable, and ultimately spreadable chocolate ganache. Its high-fat content ensures a rich and stable frosting.
• Toppings (Rainbow chips, Mini M&M’s, or Sprinkles): The signature final touch! Wilton rainbow chip crunch or mini M&M’s are ideal for that classic Cosmic Brownie look. Regular sprinkles or mini chocolate chips can also be used if preferred or for dietary adjustments.

Step-by-Step Guide: How To Make The Best Cosmic Brownies

Creating these fudgy, chocolatey delights is simpler than you might think. Follow these detailed instructions to achieve perfect Cosmic Brownies every time:

1. Prepare Your Pan: First, line a light-colored metal 9×13 inch baking pan with parchment paper, allowing for a generous overhang on the sides. This overhang acts as a sling, making it incredibly easy to lift the cooled brownies out of the pan for clean slicing. Do not skip this crucial step! Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Melt Chocolate and Butter: In a very large microwave-safe bowl, combine the 18 ounces of semi-sweet chocolate chips and the cubed unsalted butter. Microwave in short bursts of 15 seconds, stirring thoroughly between each burst, until the mixture is completely melted and smooth. Be careful not to overheat the chocolate, as it can seize or burn.
3. Incorporate Sugars and Eggs: Immediately after removing the melted chocolate from the microwave, stir in the granulated sugar until well combined. Then, add the vanilla extract and one large egg, stirring until fully incorporated into the chocolate mixture. Proceed to add the remaining three large eggs and the single egg yolk, one at a time. After each addition, stir vigorously with a wooden spoon or sturdy spatula until the egg is completely integrated before adding the next. The batter will be thick; avoid using a hand or stand mixer at this stage, as over-mixing can incorporate too much air, leading to a cakey rather than fudgy texture.
4. Add Dry Ingredients: In a separate medium-sized bowl, whisk together the Dutch-process cocoa powder, all-purpose flour, cornstarch, and salt. Gradually add this dry ingredient mixture to the wet chocolate mixture. Stir gently until just combined and smooth. Be careful not to overmix, as this can develop the gluten in the flour, resulting in tougher brownies. Finally, fold in the 1 1/2 cups of extra chocolate chips (these will melt into delightful pockets of chocolate).
5. Bake the Brownies: Pour the brownie batter into your prepared 9×13 inch baking pan, spreading it evenly with a spatula. Bake for 27-33 minutes. Begin checking for doneness around the 27-minute mark. The brownies are ready when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with moist crumbs attached, but not wet batter. Be sure to avoid hitting any melted chocolate chips when testing. In many ovens, this will be around 29-30 minutes. Baking times can vary based on individual ovens and humidity, so watch them closely! Remove the brownies from the oven and allow them to cool completely at room temperature before adding the frosting. This step is critical; warm brownies will melt the ganache.
6. Prepare the Chocolate Ganache Frosting: While the brownies cool, make the ganache. Place the 1 1/2 cups of semi-sweet chocolate chips into a large, heat-safe bowl. In a small, microwave-safe bowl, heat the 1/2 cup of heavy cream on high for about 1 minute, or until it just begins to simmer. Pour the hot cream over the chocolate chips. Immediately cover the bowl with a plate or a pan lid to trap the heat. Let it stand undisturbed for 4 minutes. After 4 minutes, remove the lid and stir the mixture until it becomes completely smooth and glossy. If any chocolate chunks remain, microwave for an additional 15 seconds and stir again until smooth.
7. Frost and Decorate: Once the brownies are completely cooled, pour the smooth chocolate ganache evenly over the top. Use an offset spatula or the back of a spoon to spread the ganache from edge to edge. Immediately and generously sprinkle the brownies with your chosen toppings – rainbow chips, mini M&M’s, or colorful sprinkles – before the ganache sets.
8. Chill, Slice, and Serve: Place the frosted brownies in the refrigerator, covered, for 1-2 hours, or until the chocolate ganache frosting is completely set and firm. To achieve clean, neat slices, remove the brownies from the pan by lifting the parchment paper overhang. Use a sharp knife, wiping it clean and running it under hot water between each cut. This technique ensures perfectly defined edges. Return any leftover brownies to an airtight container and store them in the fridge. These Cosmic Brownies are truly best when served chilled.

Pro Tips for Perfect Cosmic Brownies Every Time

• Don’t Overmix: After adding the flour and cocoa, mix only until just combined. Overmixing develops gluten, leading to tougher, more cake-like brownies instead of the desired fudgy texture.
• Use Quality Chocolate: The better your chocolate, the better your brownies will taste. Invest in good quality semi-sweet chocolate chips for both the brownies and the ganache.
• Calibrate Your Oven: Oven temperatures can vary significantly. If you bake often, consider an oven thermometer to ensure your oven is truly at 350°F (175°C). This is crucial for precise baking times.
• Test for Doneness Carefully: A toothpick test is your best friend. Look for moist crumbs, not wet batter. Remember, brownies continue to cook slightly as they cool, so it’s better to slightly underbake than overbake for maximum fudginess.
• Cool Completely: Patience is key! Ensure the brownies are completely cool before applying the ganache. If they’re even slightly warm, the ganache will melt and run off.
• Hot Knife for Clean Cuts: For those picture-perfect slices, run your knife under hot water and wipe it clean between each cut. This prevents the ganache from sticking and dragging, resulting in smooth, sharp edges.

Storage and Freezing

Flavor Variations & Customization

While the classic Cosmic Brownie is perfect as is, feel free to get creative with your homemade version:

• Different Chocolate: Experiment with milk chocolate chips in the ganache for a sweeter, creamier frosting, or dark chocolate for an intensely bittersweet topping.
• Nutty Crunch: Fold in 1/2 cup of chopped walnuts or pecans into the brownie batter for added texture and a delicious nutty flavor.
• Espresso Boost: Add 1 teaspoon of instant espresso powder to the brownie batter. It won’t make the brownies taste like coffee, but it will deepen and intensify the chocolate flavor.
• Seasonal Sprinkles: While rainbow chips are iconic, you can swap them out for seasonal sprinkles to match holidays or special occasions.
• Salted Caramel Drizzle: For an extra layer of decadence, drizzle a bit of homemade or store-bought salted caramel over the ganache before it sets.

Cosmic Brownies

By Chelsea Lords

Bringing back your favorite childhood treat! Cosmic brownies are a fudgy chocolate brownie with chocolate frosting and rainbow candy sprinkles on top. These Little Debbie copycats are amazing!

Prep Time:
30 minutes

Cook Time:
30 minutes

Total Time:
1 hour

Servings:
36 brownies

Equipment

• 9 x 13-inch metal baking pan
• Parchment paper
• Large microwave-safe bowls
• Wooden spoon or sturdy spatula
• Offset spatula (for frosting)

Ingredients

For the Brownies:

• 18 ounces semi-sweet chocolate chips (about 3 completely full cups or 1 1/2 (12-ounce) bags; a different type of chocolate is not recommended for this recipe)
• 9 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into cubes
• 1 cup + 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 1/2 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 4 large eggs
• 1 large egg yolk
• 6 tablespoons Dutch process cocoa powder (Hershey’s dark cocoa powder is a good Dutch-process option)
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup cornstarch
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 1-1/2 cups chocolate chips (milk, semi-sweet, or dark, depending on your preference; milk chocolate is recommended for a softer brownie texture)

For the Frosting:

• 1-1/2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• Wilton rainbow chip crunch or mini M&M’s (or your preferred sprinkles or mini chocolate chips)

Instructions

1. Prepare Pan & Preheat Oven: Line a light-colored metal 9×13 inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides for easy removal. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Melt Chocolate & Butter: In a very large microwave-safe bowl, combine 18 ounces of semi-sweet chocolate chips and the cubed butter. Microwave in 15-second bursts, stirring well after each, until completely melted and smooth. Do not over-microwave.
3. Mix Wet Ingredients: Immediately stir the granulated sugar into the melted chocolate mixture. Add the vanilla extract and one large egg, stirring until fully incorporated. Then, add the remaining eggs and egg yolk, one at a time, stirring thoroughly with a wooden spoon after each addition until integrated. The mixture will be thick; avoid using an electric mixer to prevent over-aerating.
4. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the cocoa powder, all-purpose flour, cornstarch, and salt. Add this dry mixture to the wet ingredients along with the 1 1/2 cups of additional chocolate chips. Stir until just smooth and no dry streaks remain.
5. Bake the Brownies: Transfer the batter to the prepared baking pan and spread evenly. Bake for 27-33 minutes. The brownies are done when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with moist crumbs (ensure it doesn’t hit a melted chocolate chip). This usually takes 29-30 minutes in a calibrated oven. Remove and allow the brownies to cool completely at room temperature before frosting.
6. Make the Ganache Frosting: Place 1 1/2 cups of semi-sweet chocolate chips in a large, heat-safe bowl. Heat the heavy cream in a small microwave-safe bowl on high for 1 minute until hot but not boiling. Pour the hot cream over the chocolate chips. Cover the bowl (e.g., with a cookie sheet) and let stand for 4 minutes. Stir until completely smooth. If needed, microwave for an additional 15 seconds and stir again.
7. Frost & Decorate: Once the brownies are completely cooled, pour the smooth ganache over them and spread evenly to the edges. Immediately sprinkle generously with rainbow chips, mini M&M’s, or other desired toppings.
8. Chill & Slice: Place the brownies in the fridge, covered, for 1-2 hours, or until the frosting is fully set. To cut, remove the brownies from the pan using the parchment paper overhang. Use a sharp knife, wiping it clean and running it under hot water between each cut for perfectly clean slices. Return leftovers to an airtight container in the fridge. Brownies are best served chilled.

Recipe Notes

Gluten-Free Option: The brownie base is naturally gluten-free. Always confirm with all product packaging that ingredients are processed in a gluten-free environment. Replace traditional rainbow crunch sprinkles with miniature chocolate chips or certified gluten-free sprinkles to ensure the entire recipe is gluten-free.

Storage: Store Cosmic Brownies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days for a softer texture, or in the fridge for up to 1 week for a firmer, chewier brownie. To freeze, wrap individual brownies tightly in plastic wrap and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.

Nutrition Information

Serving: 1 serving |
Calories: 340 kcal |
Carbohydrates: 39.3 g |
Protein: 3.6 g |
Fat: 19.7 g |
Cholesterol: 20.6 mg |
Sodium: 60.3 mg |
Fiber: 1 g |
Sugar: 34.6 g

Nutrition information is automatically calculated and should only be used as an approximation.

Cosmic Brownies Recipe FAQ

We hope you enjoy baking and devouring these incredible homemade Cosmic Brownies! They’re a testament to how easily you can recreate beloved treats with superior flavor and freshness right in your own kitchen. Happy baking!