With a thick chocolate ganache layer and lots of colorful sprinkles on top, these homemade cosmic brownies are the perfect nostalgic childhood treat. Sliced into bite-sized pieces, they’ll put a chocolate-smothered 90s smile on anyone’s face.
Homemade Cosmic Brownies
With a colorful and playful sprinkle topping, these copycat cosmic brownies taste like childhood memories in a single bite. Between the soft, gooey brownies underneath and the layer of creamy ganache, you won’t miss Little Debbie’s version one bit! Ready in a little over 30 minutes, you might want to make several batches because they won’t last long once they’re on the counter.
Much richer and decadent than the packaged version, you’ll be surprised they only require basic ingredients like cocoa powder, butter, and sugar. It’s practically a bake-and-pour recipe! However, if you want them to be as fudgy as the chocolatey squares you know and love, you’ll want to keep an eye on the oven.
Young or old, these easy cosmic brownies are guaranteed to be a hit with everyone. Why? It’s a chocolate-on-chocolate recipe! Sliced into bite-sized pieces, they’re the perfect snack with a groovy 90s vibe that might make you remember your bowling days.
Why You’ll Love this Recipe
In case you need extra convincing to make brownies this week, here are some top-notch reasons:
- Chocolatey – In case lots of cocoa powder isn’t enough, you get to make these brownies extra chocolatey with a thick layer of chocolate ganache on top.
- Simple. There are no complicated techniques or fancy ingredients in this recipe, making it perfect for all-level home cooks!
- Quick. These brownies will be out of the oven in half an hour— making them an easy weekday baking project.
- Crowd-pleaser. Who doesn’t like brownies? You can bring them to potlucks, birthday parties, dinner parties, and all sorts of celebrations. Everyone will love them!
- Fudgy. With fudgy brownies being the only way to go, you’ll love their gooey, moist, chocolatey intensity in every bite.
- Nostalgic. This recipe is a yummier copycat version of your favorite childhood treat: Little Debbie’s Cosmic Brownies. Baking them will definitely put a smile on your face and that of anyone who tries them too.
What Are Cosmic Brownies?
Cosmic brownies are a classic American treat from Little Debbie’s. Their signature rainbow sprinkle topping and name were inspired by the colorful “cosmic” bowling trend of the 90s. The product first hit the shelves in 1999 and has since become an iconic and timeless snack in the US.
They’re soft, fudgy bite-size brownies that are topped with a thick layer of chocolate ganache. Super rich and chocolatey, cosmic brownies are the perfect snack for young and old alike.
Recipe Ingredients
Cocoa powder will be your new best friend for these cosmic brownies. Scroll down to the recipe card at the bottom of the post for full ingredient amounts.
For the Brownies
- Butter – I prefer unsalted butter, but feel free to use salted instead. If you do, reduce the amount of salt in the rest of the recipe.
- Granulated sugar – Light brown sugar works too.
- Unsweetened cocoa powder – Don’t use chocolate milk powder. They’re not the same thing.
- Eggs
- Vegetable oil – Corn and canola oil are good substitutes. Any neutral-flavored oil is okay.
- Corn syrup – Molasses and maple syrup are great swaps.
- Vanilla extract – It enhances the brownies’ chocolatey-ness but feel free to leave it out.
- All-purpose flour – Don’t use cake flour or bread flour. Also, no gluten-free alternatives.
- Salt
For the Chocolate Ganache and Decoration
- Heavy cream – Don’t substitute this.
- Chocolate bars – Use high-quality milk, bittersweet, or dark chocolate bars.
- Rainbow chocolate drops – Feel free to use sprinkles or nonpareils as substitutes.
How to Make Cosmic Brownies
Making cosmic brownies is just like making regular brownies but with a little extra love from the ganache.
- Prepare the baking dish. Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C). Grease an 8×8-inch baking pan with oil and line it with parchment paper. Don’t use larger baking pans because the brownies will come out thinner and this affects baking time.
- Whisk the dry ingredients. Mix all-purpose flour with salt in a small bowl. Set it aside.
- Mix the wet ingredients. Add the melted butter, sugar, and sifted cocoa powder to a large mixing bowl. Mix everything until you get a smooth mixture. Add the eggs, yolk, oil, corn syrup, and vanilla extract. Mix again until everything is fully incorporated.
- Combine the mixtures. Add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture and mix until thoroughly combined.
- Bake it. Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan and smooth it with a spatula. Bake for 25-30 minutes. Don’t skip this step or you’ll end up with unevenly baked brownies.
- Make the ganache. In a saucepan, heat the heavy cream over medium heat until it’s hot, but without letting it boil. Remove from the heat. Add the chocolate chips to the mixture. Let it sit for three minutes before stirring. Mix until it becomes smooth. Make sure no moisture enters the mixture, otherwise, it can separate.
- Set them. Let the brownies cool completely. Evenly spread the ganache other them and then sprinkle the rainbow chocolate drops on top. Place the brownies in the refrigerator for two hours, or until the ganache sets. Cut the brownies and serve.
Tips for Perfectly Fudgy Brownies
Follow these tips to make the perfect cosmic brownies every time:
- Don’t overbake. The key to fudgy brownies is removing them from the oven when the baking time is up and then letting them set at room temperature. Baking for longer can result in drier, cake-like brownies.
- Stir until just combined. Over-mixing the batter will develop the gluten and cause them to sink and become rubbery.
- Let them cool. Never try to slice freshly baked brownies. They’ll stick to the knife and you won’t get a clean cut. If you’re in a rush, wait until the baking pan is warm, then place it with a kitchen towel in the fridge to chill quicker.
- Use the right baking dish. Don’t use a glass baking dish because it takes a long time to come to temperature and will increase your baking time. It also tends to bake unevenly, so avoid it if possible.
How to Store & Freeze
- Fridge: Once fully cooled, refrigerate these cosmic brownies in an airtight container for up to 7 days. Keep them away from strong-smelling foods like onions to avoid the transfer of odors. Don’t store them at room temperature, especially if there’s lots of humidity and heat in your area.
- Freezer: You can also freeze them. Wrap each brownie in plastic wrap twice. Then wrap them in aluminum foil and pop them into a freezer-friendly bag or container. Freeze them for up to 2 months. When you’re ready to enjoy them, place the brownies on the counter for 15-25 minutes or until fully thawed.
More Brownie Recipes to Try
Cosmic Brownies
Ingredients
Brownies:
- ½ cup unsalted butter melted
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 large eggs + 1 egg yolk at room temperature
- 3 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 tbsp light corn syrup
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ¾ cup all-purpose flour
- ¼ tsp salt
Ganache:
- ½ cup heavy cream
- 8 oz chocolate bars chopped
Decoration:
- ⅓ cup rainbow chocolate drops or sprinkles for decoration
Instructions
- Prepare the baking pan. Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C). Grease an 8×8-inch baking pan with oil and line it with parchment paper.
- Whisk the dry ingredients. Mix all-purpose flour with salt in a small bowl, and set aside.
- Mix the wet ingredients. Add the melted butter, sugar, and sifted cocoa powder to a large mixing bowl and beat until smooth. Add the eggs, yolk, oil, corn syrup, and vanilla extract, and mix until everything is fully incorporated.
- Combine the mixtures. Add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture and mix until thoroughly combined.
- Bake. Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan and smooth it with a spatula. Bake for 25-30 minutes.
- Make the ganache. In a saucepan, heat the heavy cream over medium heat until it is hot, but be sure not to bring it to a boil. Remove from the heat. Add the chocolate chips to the mixture. Let it sit for three minutes before stirring it until it becomes smooth.
- Let them set. Spread the frosting evenly over the cooled brownies, and then sprinkle the rainbow chocolate drops over the top of the ganache. Place the brownies in the refrigerator for two hours, or until the ganache sets. Once set, cut the brownies and serve.
