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 chocolate fondue, cake balls, fruit pizza or these bright and colorful homemade Cosmic Brownies. But let’s be real – the adults love these brownies just as much as the kids do. If you love brownie recipes, you’ll also adore my cheesecake brownies, Oreo brownies and blondies recipe.
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 fudgy brownies which is SO much more flavorful than the original.
Table of Contents
Cosmic Brownies Ingredients
To make this recipe, you will need butter, sugar, eggs, vanilla extract, all purpose flour, cocoa powder, salt, milk, semisweet chocolate, milk chocolate, heavy cream and rainbow chip sprinkles.
How Do You Make Cosmic Brownies?
Line a baking pan with parchment paper, and coat it in cooking spray. Melt the butter, then add the sugar and whisk to combine. Next, beat the sugar and butter mixture and add eggs and vanilla to the bowl. Finally, add the dry ingredients of flour, cocoa powder and salt, and mix until the ingredients are just combined. Pour the batter into the pan and spread it into an even layer. Bake the brownies, then let them cool. To make the frosting, heat the heavy cream and add the milk and semisweet chocolate to the cream. Stir the chocolate and cream together until smooth, then add butter. Pour the frosting over the brownies in an even layer. Add the sprinkles on top, then chill the brownies until they are set. Cut into squares, then serve and enjoy.
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 in an airtight container. If you make the brownies on a hot day and leave them at room temperature, the frosting can get quite soft.
Quick Tip
Be sure to keep an eye on your brownies so they don’t overcook! Otherwise you won’t end up with that irresistible fudgy texture.
Recipe FAQs
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.
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 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.
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Flavor Variations
While these brownies are fabulous as-is, you can add other ingredients to customize the flavors to your tastes. Just be aware that while these changes are delicious, they are not traditionally found in a copycat Cosmic Brownie!
- Add-Ins: You can stir up to 1/2 cup of chocolate chips or nuts into the batter before the brownies go into the oven.
- Toppings: Instead of rainbow chips, try regular mini chocolate chips, rainbow sprinkles, chocolate jimmies, finely diced nuts, mini M&M’s or toffee bits.
These brownies are definitely not just for the kids. They’re a great addition to any dessert table along with options such as gooey butter cookies, chocolate lasagna, chocolate chip cupcakes and Oreo cookies and cream bars. You’re sure to get rave reviews!
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Cosmic Brownies
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
- 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.
- 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.
The best!!!!
Everyone absolutely loved these! Made them for a party over the weekend and they were a total hit. Several people asked for the recipe!