Remember those delightful little rectangular treats from your childhood lunchbox? These homemade Cosmic Brownies bring all that nostalgic joy but with an upgraded, made-from-scratch flavor that the store-bought version could only dream of achieving. Rich, fudgy, and topped with those iconic rainbow chip sprinkles, they’re guaranteed to transport you straight back to simpler times.
What makes these brownies truly “cosmic” is the perfect balance between the dense, chocolatey base and the smooth ganache topping. Unlike their commercial counterparts, these homemade treats pack real chocolate flavor without any artificial aftertaste. They’re the perfect weekend baking project that delivers big on both nostalgia and taste.
Why You’ll Love This
- Nostalgic flavor with upgraded ingredients for a better-than-store-bought experience
- Perfectly fudgy texture that’s never dry or cakey
- Simple ingredients you likely already have in your pantry
- Kid-friendly recipe that adults will equally enjoy
- Make-ahead friendly – they actually taste better the next day!
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups white granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 3 large eggs, room temperature
- 1 egg yolk, room temperature
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1/2 cup canola or vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 3.5 oz semi-sweet chocolate bar, melted
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- Rainbow candy coated chocolates for topping
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Line 9×9 pan with parchment and spray with nonstick spray.
- Beat sugars and eggs 3 minutes until fluffy. Add melted butter, oil, vanilla and melted chocolate.
- Mix flour, cocoa, cornstarch and salt. Add to wet ingredients until just combined.
- Pour into pan, bake 33-37 minutes until moist crumbs remain. Cool completely.
- Pour hot cream over chocolate chips, let sit 2 minutes, then stir until smooth.
- Spread ganache over brownies, top with candy. Chill to set.
Tips & Variations
- For extra fudgy brownies, underbake them slightly – about 2 minutes less than the recipe calls for.
- No rainbow chips? Use mini M&Ms or colorful sprinkles instead.
- Add 1/2 teaspoon of espresso powder to the brownie batter to enhance the chocolate flavor without adding coffee taste.
- For a more authentic texture, refrigerate the brownies overnight before serving.
- Make them gluten-free by substituting the all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend.
- For a holiday twist, use themed sprinkles to match the season.
Serving Suggestions
These Cosmic Brownies are perfect on their own with a cold glass of milk, but you can elevate them for a dessert table by serving with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on the side. The contrast between the cold, creamy ice cream and the rich, fudgy brownie is simply divine.
For a fun presentation at children’s parties, cut the brownies into perfect rectangles and arrange them on a platter with fresh berries and mint leaves for a pop of color that complements the rainbow chips.
Notes
- Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to a week.
- These brownies freeze beautifully for up to 3 months – just thaw at room temperature before serving.
- The ganache should be glossy and pourable but not too hot when you add it to the brownies.
- Let the ganache set completely before cutting for clean, neat edges.
FAQs
Can I double this recipe for a larger batch?
Yes! Double all ingredients and bake in a 9×13-inch pan. You may need to add 5-7 minutes to the baking time.
Why did my ganache seize up?
This typically happens if water gets into the chocolate or if it’s overheated. Make sure all utensils are completely dry and heat the chocolate mixture gently.
Can I make these without corn syrup?
Yes, you can substitute honey or golden syrup, though the ganache may not be quite as shiny.
How do I know when the brownies are done?
A toothpick inserted into the center should come out with a few moist crumbs, not completely clean (which would indicate overbaking) or with wet batter (underbaking).
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