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Everyone remembers the classic Cosmic Brownies – remember those ones you’d get in your lunchbox? This recipe is a homemade version of that. They are fudgy brownies with the best chocolatey flavor, a chocolate ganache frosting and rainbow chips!
Cosmic Brownie Recipe
I used to always eat Cosmic Brownies treats when I was younger and I know I’m not alone. The flavor of these chewy Little Debbie treats is nostalgic to me, so I knew I needed to recreate this special treat at home. The brownies are just like the original classic chocolate treat, but now you can make them from scratch!
These brownies are an all-out chocolate experience – soft and chewy brownies with a rich delicious fudge icing – and don’t forget a sprinkling of rainbow-colored chips! If you want to be brought back to your childhood, this recipe is the way to go.
Ingredients Needed
- Sugar: This recipe uses both granulated sugar and brown sugar to get that chewy texture.
- Cocoa Powder: These are cocoa powder brownies, making them one bowl brownies. Use natural unsweetened cocoa so they’re most like the original.
- Butter: I use unsalted butter because the salt will give enough. This butter will also be melted.
- Chocolate Candy: I used rainbow candy-coated chocolate chips to get them as exact to the original recipe. You can find them on Amazon or Walmart.
- Chocolate Chips and Heavy Whipping Cream: these make the ganache topping. There is no substitute for heavy cream. I prefer semi-sweet chocolate chips to be the closest to the original recipe.
How to make Copycat Cosmic Brownies
- Mix up your brownie batter by stirring all the brownie ingredients in a large bowl. Pour batter into a 9-inch pan. Bake until a toothpick comes out clean 2-inches from the edge of the pan. Cool completely before frosting.
- Add chocolate chips and heavy whipping cream to a microwave safe bowl. Heat and stir until smooth.
- Pour chocolate over the brownies and spread to smooth evenly. Sprinkle with candy coated chips. Chill to set frosting.
Expert Tips
- If you can’t find the rainbow chips, you could swap them with mini M&Ms.
- If you only have salted butter, you can use it, but reduce added salt to 1/4 teaspoon.
- Use up the rainbow chips by making my brownie cookies from scratch and decorating with them!
Storage Instructions
Store brownies in an airtight container. You can store them at room temperature or in the fridge, but they’ll taste better room temp. You can also freeze these treats.
Cosmic Brownies Recipe
Recipe Video
Ingredients
Brownies:
- 8 tablespoons (113g) unsalted butter, melted
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
- ⅓ cup (67g) packed brown sugar
- ⅔ cup (54g) unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup (62g) all-purpose flour
Topping:
- 1 ½ cups chocolate chips
- ½ cup heavy whipping cream
- Candy coated chips for topping
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a 9×9-inch pan with foil or parchment paper and spray with nonstick cooking spray.
- Stir together melted butter, oil, and both sugars.
- Stir in cocoa powder, eggs, vanilla and salt, then gently stir in flour.
- Pour batter into prepared pan. Bake 18-22 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean 2-inches from the edge of the pan. Cool completely before frosting.
- Add chocolate chips and heavy whipping cream to a microwave safe bowl. Heat 1 minute on high power, then stir until smooth (heating time is dependent on your microwave; may need more or less time).
- Pour chocolate over the brownies and spread to smooth evenly. Sprinkle with candy coated chips. Chill to set frosting.
Recipe Notes
- Store in an airtight container on the counter or freeze.
- Frosting will be fudgy but solid when cold; will get softer when room temperature.
Thanks
I don’t remember cosmic brownies but I’m going to have to try making them. They sound wonderful.
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