Cosmic Brownies: Thick, fudgy brownies smothered in silky smooth chocolate ganache, and topped with M&M candies.
I always hear adults talking about how busy kids are today. From sports, to music lessons, and even karate it seems like they are always headed somewhere.However, I don’t think this is a recent phenomena. Every Tuesday I had to rush from dance class, to soccer. This inevitably resulted in having to eat dinner in the car.
My typical meal was a toaster pizza (an actual pizza made in the toaster). Oh how I miss those! I also usually grabbed either zebra cakes or a cosmic brownie from the vending machine. It was then all washed down with a fruity drink from the Tropicana vending machine. Seriously what happened to those drinks, I need to know!
No matter how hard I try I can’t ever recreate that toaster pizza. I don’t even want to try! 🙂 But I did create an even more delicious version of Cosmic Brownies. My version is thick and super fudgy. They’re also made with m and ms instead of unidentified candy bits (unless you’re into that). Easy to make and even easier to recognize they are sure to be a crowd pleaser. They’re great for school lunches, potlucks, and picnics. Wash them down with an ice cold glass of milk, or if you’re feeling especially decadent a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream.
What Is In Cosmic Brownies?
You only need a few ingredients to make these tasty treats. They include: Butter, Eggs, Sugar, Brown Sugar, Vanilla, Cocoa Powder, Flour, Semi-sweet Chocolate Chips ,and Heavy Cream.
Cosmic Brownies Recipe
Cosmic Brownies are a rich chocolate brownie, with a layer of chocolate icing, and a sprinkle of chocolate candies on top.Start by preheating your oven to 350.
Then, mix together ¾ cup melted butter, 2 eggs, 1 cup sugar, ⅔ cup brown sugar, and 2 teaspoons of vanilla in a large bowl. Whisk in ¾ cup cocoa powder and ¾ cup flour until combined.
After that,pour the batter into a lined 9 in. by 9 in. pan and smooth the top until level. Bake 25 – 30 minutes. To tell if brownies are done, insert a toothpick in the center. If the toothpick comes out with a few crumbs, your brownies are done. If you still see batter on the toothpick bake for 2-3 more minutes at a time.
How to Make Cosmic Brownie Icing
Now time for my favorite part: the frosting! While your brownies are cooling, you can make the chocolate icing that will go on top of your brownies.
Start by microwaving 1 ½ cups of semi-sweet chocolate chips with ½ cup of heavy cream until melted. Whisk together until smooth, then pour over your cooled brownies.
I also like to add rainbow M&Ms or candies for an authentic look. To stay true to classic cosmic brownies, you should cut them in rectangles, with an indent going through the halfway point. This was in the original design so you could split the brownie and share it. Yay sharing! 🙂
When Did Cosmic Brownies Come Out?
Cosmic Brownies were created in 1957 by the Little Debbie Snack Company. Want to hear a secret? The same fudge brownie recipe is used in both Little Debbie Cosmic Brownies and the classic Little Debbie Brownies. The only difference is the classic version has a walnut topping. Mind blown! I’m not a big fan of nuts in my desserts, so I’ll stick with the cosmic variety.
How Long Do Brownies Last?
Brownies last for three or four days when kept at room temperature. Be sure to keep them in an air tight container so they do not dry out. You can use a tupperware dish, or a pan tightly wrapped with aluminum foil. Just be sure to close if tightly after going back for seconds thirds!
Can You Freeze Brownies?
Also, you can always freeze your brownies to make them last longer too. Tightly wrapped brownies can be frozen for up to three months. When you want to enjoy your frozen brownies simply thaw at room temperature for 2-3 hours. Perfect for that gotta have it NOW chocolate craving.
How to Cut Brownies
I like to bake my brownies in a pan lined with foil. To cut them I lift out the foil and brownies onto a hard surface. Be sure brownies are fully cooled before attempting to cut them. Mom Hack: My mom taught me to always cut my brownies with a plastic knife and I still use that trick today! Huh maybe she did know a thing or two. Plastic knives are naturally non stick. Also, be sure to wipe down the knife after each cut.
Cosmic Brownies
Ingredients
For the Brownies
- ¾ Cup Unsalted Butter 1 ½ Sticks Melted
- 2 Eggs
- 1 Cup Granulated Sugar
- ⅔ Cup Light Brown Sugar Tightly Packed
- 2 Tablespoons Milk
- 2 Teaspoons Vanilla Extract
- ¾ cup Un-Sweetened Natural Cocoa Powder
- ¾ cup all-purpose flour
For the Topping
- 1 ½ Cups Semi Sweet Chocolate Chips
- ½ Cup Heavy Cream
- 1 Cup M&M Minis
Instructions
For the Brownies
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a 9x9 inch pan with foil. Spray with non stick spray.
- In a large bowl, melt butter in the microwave for 1-2 minutes.
- Whisk in sugars, eggs, milk, and vanilla. Then whisk in cocoa powder until smooth.
- Add flour gradually, until combined.
- Spread batter in prepared pan. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool completely.
For the Ganache
- Heat heavy cream in a medium sauce pan. Add chocolate chips. Stir occasionally until smooth.
- Pour ganache over brownies. Smooth with an offset spatula.
- Sprinkle with M&Ms. Refrigerate until the ganache has set.
Nutrition
Cosmic Brownies Recipe Adapted via: Averie Cooks
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What do you think of these Copycat Cosmic Brownies? What is your favorite childhood snack?
these look over-the-top! I’ve got to adapt this recipe for our dietary needs – it just looks too scrumptious!
Thanks Alisa! Would love to see your adaptation!
Whoah, this is my kind of dessert!! I’m such a chocaholic and these brownies look like my perfect dessert! Yum!
Great for chocoholics for sure. Thanks Lisa!
Oh my gosh! I’ve got to try this right away. So chocolatey and yummy!! I think you are making all your readers very hungry. 🙂 I have pinned this. Thank you for such a fantastic recipe!
Thanks so much Angie <3
Thanks Judy!
Was wondering if I could double this recipe, or make it twice and bake it in a jelly roll pan? And if I could would I need to adjust the baking time? Thanks.
Hi Jenny,
Of course doubling won’t be a problem. I wouldn’t suggest a jelly roll pan as that will give you a really thin as opposed to thick brownie.
If you double the recipe in 2 different pans baking time shouldn’t need to be adjusted. As long as a tooth pick inserted in the center comes out with a few crumbs and not brownie batter they are done. Hope this helps. Let me know how they turn out!
I’m going to preface my comment with two things:
1. I realize I’m a bit late to the game but wanted to share if someone else stumbled across this recipe
2. I have never had a cosmic brownie so my mods may not produce a TRUE cosmic brownie experience
I double the brownie recipe and baked in a jelly roll pan for about 30 minutes (started at 25 then had to add a few minutes) and used just one batch of the frosting and topped with mini M&M’s and they. were. uh-may-zing. Rave reviews from everyone at the birthday party I made them for! Super fudgy and delicious, thanks for a great recipe!
So glad you enjoyed them Rachel! LOVE the idea of using a jelly roll pan!
These brownies are right up my alley! Thanks for linking up with What’s Cookin’ Wednesday!
Thanks Karly!
hi thanks for sharing love the brownies my boys eat these all time and if I can make them at home even better visiting from freedom fridays have a great day
Thanks Lorraine!
I’ve never had an actual cosmic brownie, but i know I’d love one of these
Hi Heather really? That is crazy! You need to try these! 😀
My son loves these! Seriously! I can not wait to surprise him with this home made recipe. Thanks!
Kathleen
Charm Bracelet Diva {at Home}
I’m so glad to hear that Kathleen! Thanks for your feedback! 🙂
When I find a copycat recipe I expect it to taste like what it’s copycating.
This recipe is not it. Too cakey. Followed the recipe exactly.
Hi Shannah,
I’m sorry that the recipe was not what you were expecting.
In the future, you may want to try adding an extra egg yolk or 2 for a fudgier brownies. Thanks for your feedback! 🙂
OMG !!
These look HEAVENLY
I should not have seen these incredible brownies so early in the morning… 🙂
Pinning
Thanks so much Winnie! Nothing wrong with wanting chocolate in the morning in my opinion 😀
Holy moly do these look so incredible??!!!
Thanks Jocelyn! 🙂
wow my chocolate cravings have definitely kicked in after seeing these mouthwatering images. amazing brownies!
Thanks so much Thalia!!
Wow, they look fudge on top of fudge! I love the addition of M&Ms! Pinned and bookmarked!
They taste like it too Memoria! Thanks so much for pinning!
Hi! Nice photos. I want to try this tonight but i noticed you didn’t mention anything about milk in your dorections. Also, there are a lot of typs so you might want to proofread your material before posting it. Thanks!
Thanks for your feedback Diana. I updated the directions to include the milk.
May want to proofread your comment.
Typo* if you are going to Grammar Nazzi someone and make a fool out of your self ..make sure you Grammar Nazzi correctly… On a side note love the recipe
lmaooo Are you kidding by correcting someone about typo’s when your comment is full of them? Wow, hypocrite much? it’s DIRECTIONS not DORECTIONS lol