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Home » Dessert » Cosmic Brownies

Published: April 11, 2019 Last Modified: April 14, 2019 By Sara 18 Comments

Cosmic Brownies

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Cosmic Brownies Recipe | Cocoa Brownies | Frosted Brownies #brownies #chocolate #dessert #dinneratthezoo #sprinkles

These Cosmic Brownies are cocoa brownies topped off with a rich chocolate fudge topping and rainbow sprinkles. A copycat of the Little Debbie classic that tastes even better than the original version!

When I’m looking for a fun treat for the kids, I make cake balls, fruit pizza or these bright and colorful Cosmic Brownies. But let’s be real – the adults love these brownies just as much as the kids do.

Cosmic Brownies Recipe | Cocoa Brownies | Frosted Brownies #brownies #chocolate #dessert #dinneratthezoo #sprinkles Cosmic Brownies Recipe | Cocoa Brownies | Frosted Brownies #brownies #chocolate #dessert #dinneratthezoo #sprinkles

A stack of cosmic brownies on a plate with a bite taken out of one.

I grew up eating Cosmic Brownies from the Little Debbie box, and I wanted to share those awesome little fudgy bites with my kids. I decided to skip the grocery store and instead make a homemade version of these brownies which is SO much more flavorful than the original.

What are cosmic brownies made of?

Cosmic Brownies are a fudgy chocolate brownie topped with a thick chocolate frosting and rainbow candy coated sprinkles. They were made famous by the Little Debbie Company.

Cocoa powder and flour in a bowl of melted butter and sugar.

How do you make cosmic brownies?

This recipe starts with a homemade brownie base which is flavored with butter, sugar and cocoa powder. The brownies go into the oven to bake, and then are topped with a rich chocolate ganache frosting. The finishing touch is a generous sprinkling of rainbow candy coated chocolate pieces. After the brownies have cooled, it’s time to cut them into squares and enjoy!

A bowl of cocoa brownie batter.

Tips for cosmic brownies

  • The candy coated chocolate pieces can be purchased online, at grocery stores, or at craft stores. I used Wilton’s Rainbow Chip Crunch which I purchased in the cake decorating aisle of my local craft store. Can’t find the rainbow chips? You can use regular miniature chocolate chips or a different type of rainbow sprinkles instead.
  • It’s best to use chopped bars of chocolate instead of chocolate chips for the fudge topping. Chocolate chips often contain stabilizers and will not melt as smoothly as chopped chocolate. I used Ghirardelli brand chocolate bars which I found in the baking area near the chocolate chips.
  • These brownies are best stored in the fridge. If you make the brownies on a hot day and leave them at room temperature, the frosting can get quite soft.

A pan of cosmic brownies with rainbow sprinkles on top.

How long do brownies last?

These brownies can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. I find that they never last that long though! Let the brownies sit at room temperature for about 10-15 minutes before you serve them to take the chill off.

Cosmic brownies topped with chocolate fudge and crunchy rainbow sprinkles.

CAN YOU FREEZE BROWNIES?

Cosmic Brownies are a great candidate for the freezer. Simply wrap the bars individually with plastic wrap, then place them in a resealable bag in the freezer for up to 2 months. You can thaw your brownies at room temperature when you’re ready to eat them.

Cosmic Brownies are definitely not just for the kids – they’re a great addition to any dessert table and are sure to earn you rave reviews.

More fabulous sweet treats

  • Cookie Dough Bars
  • Twix Cookies
  • Peanut Butter Blossoms
  • Chocolate Covered Oreos
  • Rolo Pretzels
A stack of cosmic brownies on a plate with a bite taken out of one.
Print Pin
5 from 11 votes

Cosmic Brownies

These Cosmic Brownies are cocoa brownies topped off with a rich chocolate fudge topping and rainbow sprinkles. A copycat of the Little Debbie classic that tastes even better than the original version!
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings 12
Calories 300kcal
Author Sara Welch

Ingredients

For the brownies

  • 6 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup all purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup cocoa powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 2 tablespoons milk
  • cooking spray

For the frosting

  • 4 ounces semisweet chocolate chopped
  • 4 ounces milk chocolate chopped
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 1 tablespoon butter cut into 4 pieces
  • 1/2 cup rainbow chip sprinkles

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a 9" x 9" square pan with a piece of parchment paper, leaving an overhang on both sides. Coat the pan with cooking spray.
  • Place the butter in a large microwave safe bowl. Microwave in 30 second increments until melted.
  • Add the sugar to the melted butter and whisk to combine.
  • Place the sugar and butter mixture in the bowl of a mixer. Beat on medium speed for 2-3 minutes.
  • Add the eggs and vanilla to the bowl; then beat for another 2-3 minutes until mixture is pale yellow and thick.
  • Add the flour, cocoa powder and salt. Mix on low speed until ingredients are just incorporated. Stir in the milk and mix until smooth.
  • Pour the batter into the prepared pan, and spread it into an even layer.
  • Bake for 20-25 minutes until a toothpick inserted into the center of the pan comes out clean or with just a few crumbs attached to it.
  • Let the brownies cool.
  • Place the heavy cream in a medium bowl. Microwave in 20 second increments until cream is very hot but not boiling.
  • Add the chopped chocolates to the cream. Let sit for a minute, then stir until a smooth chocolate mixture forms. Stir in the butter until melted.
  • Pour the chocolate over the top of the brownies. Use a spatula to spread the chocolate into an even layer. Add the sprinkles on top of the chocolate.
  • Chill the brownies until set, about 1-2 hours. Use the parchment to lift the brownies out of the pan. Cut into squares and serve.

Notes

Adapted from Love & Olive Oil.

Nutrition

Calories: 300kcal | Carbohydrates: 33g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 18g | Saturated Fat: 11g | Cholesterol: 59mg | Sodium: 76mg | Potassium: 162mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 25g | Vitamin A: 395IU | Calcium: 28mg | Iron: 1.7mg
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Filed Under: Baking, Dessert

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    Comments

    1. Sue says

      October 29, 2021 at 4:57 pm

      5 stars
      Loved these wonderful brownies! I just used rainbow sprinkles and that delighter my kids.

      Reply
    2. Cheryl says

      March 29, 2021 at 9:44 pm

      5 stars
      Rich chocolate flavor on these wonderful brownies!

      Reply
    3. Caylee says

      December 17, 2019 at 9:42 am

      This is an awesome recipe! My family loves it !! : ) I was looking for a HomeMade version of the little Debbie cosmic brownies, this fits the bill with flying colors . Thank you for posting this recipe!! 😁

      Reply
      • Old man super gramps says

        September 4, 2020 at 3:38 pm

        where do we find the sprinkles

        Reply
        • Sara says

          September 5, 2020 at 8:16 am

          Typically craft stores with a cake decorating area have them such as JoAnn’s or Michaels. They’re also often available on Amazon.

          Reply
    4. Debbie says

      July 22, 2019 at 11:27 am

      5 stars
      My granddaughters went crazy over this recipe! moist and delicious and festive looking!

      Reply
    5. Patricia @ Grab a Plate says

      May 6, 2019 at 6:12 pm

      Okay I love brownies — all of the brownie — but I’d be satisfied with just that fudgy frosting! Mmm! On second thought, I’ll take the whole thing 😉

      Reply
    6. Jen Reilly says

      April 21, 2019 at 7:40 pm

      5 stars
      These look amazing! I like to add chocolate chips to my brownies—both white and semi-sweet chocolate. Just a handful total.
      It adds another flavor pop!

      Reply
    7. Jacquelyn says

      April 21, 2019 at 7:34 pm

      5 stars
      What’s not to love about these sweet treats?! These look fun and delicious; excited to make these for my daughter’s 7th birthday!

      Reply
    8. Jane says

      April 15, 2019 at 3:43 pm

      Making these for the ELKS Easter Party Saturday. Can’t wait. Thank you

      Reply
    9. Angie says

      April 15, 2019 at 12:26 pm

      5 stars
      These are so pretty! This would be perfect for my daughter’s Easter party at school!

      Reply
    10. Jade Manning says

      April 15, 2019 at 9:25 am

      5 stars
      They look mouthwatering! Thank you for sharing in the holidays!

      Reply
    11. Taylor says

      April 15, 2019 at 7:38 am

      5 stars
      Such a nostalgic treat! Love the idea of making these at home!

      Reply
    12. LindaB says

      April 13, 2019 at 1:53 pm

      These look yummy!! What size pan though?

      Reply
      • Sara says

        April 14, 2019 at 9:48 am

        It’s a 9 inch square pan, sorry about the omission!

        Reply
    13. Stephanie says

      April 13, 2019 at 1:17 pm

      5 stars
      These look so fun! I’m going to make these for my daughter’s class party next week, thanks!

      Reply
    14. Brandy O'Neill says

      April 12, 2019 at 3:20 pm

      5 stars
      One of my favorites back in the day! Definitely excited to make this!

      Reply
    15. Dee says

      April 12, 2019 at 10:11 am

      5 stars
      These are so colorful and delicious! The perfect brownie bite

      Reply

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