Cosmic Brownies – How to Make the Best Copycat Recipe

Okay, let’s talk real life for a second. Remember those shiny foil packages holding the magical cosmic brownies of our childhood? That rich, fudgy square topped with glossy chocolate and those iconic rainbow chip sprinkles? Pure joy! As a busy mom myself, sometimes I just crave that simple, nostalgic comfort food – something quick to whip up that brings smiles all around. Well, grab your apron, because this homemade version captures all that magic, and honestly? It tastes even better.

This cosmic brownie recipe easy enough for a weeknight treat but special enough to wow at the bake sale.

Forget complicated steps or fancy ingredients. We’re aiming for maximum deliciousness with minimum fuss because, let’s face it, who has time for anything else? Get ready to blast off back to simpler times with a pan of these beauties.

Why You’ll Go Starry-Eyed for These Cosmic Brownies

• Seriously Simple: No complex techniques here! If you can melt butter and stir, you can absolutely nail this recipe. Perfect for baking with kids, too!
• Pantry Staples: Most of the cosmic brownies ingredients are likely already in your kitchen. No last-minute grocery store dash needed (unless you’re out of chocolate, which, let’s be honest, is a household emergency).
• Way Better Than the Wrapper: Homemade just hits different, doesn’t it? You control the quality, and the flavour is richer, fudgier, and oh-so-satisfying.
• Pure Nostalgia Factor: One bite, and you’re instantly transported back to lunch boxes, recess, and carefree afternoons. It’s comfort food at its finest.

Gather Your Ingredients (Mission Control Supplies!)

Alright, let’s gather our mission control supplies! Most of these cosmic brownies ingredients are probably already hanging out in your pantry. No weird, hard-to-find stuff here!

For the Brownies:

• 12 Tablespoons (170 g) butter, cut into Tablespoon-sized pieces (makes melting easier!)
• ¾ cup (75 g) natural cocoa powder (unsweetened)
• 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar
• ½ cup (100 g) brown sugar (packed)
• 1 teaspoon (5 ml) vanilla extract
• 2 large eggs + 1 large egg yolk, lightly beaten (the extra yolk adds richness!)
• 1 ¼ cup (145 g) all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon cornstarch (our secret weapon for fudginess!)
• ½ teaspoon salt

For the Glossy Frosting:

• 1 cup (175 g) semisweet chocolate chips
• ½ cup (88 g) milk chocolate chips (the combo is chef’s kiss)
• ⅓ cup (79 ml) heavy cream
• 1 teaspoon (5 ml) vanilla extract
• ⅛ teaspoon salt (just a pinch to balance the sweetness)
• 2 Tablespoons candy coated chips (the classic cosmic brownies sprinkles!)

Recommended Equipment:

• Mixing bowls (at least one large, one medium)
• Medium-sized saucepan (for that dreamy frosting)
• Colorful candy chips (Can’t have cosmic without ’em!)
• 13×9 inch baking pan
• Parchment paper (optional, but makes cleanup a breeze!)
• Spatula (for spreading)

Let’s Bake Some Magic: Step-by-Step

Ready to make some fudgy magic happen? This cosmic brownie recipe easy process is straightforward. Let’s go!

1. Prep Station Ready: First things first, get that oven preheating to 350°F (177°C). Lightly grease and flour your 13×9 pan, OR line it with parchment paper, leaving a little overhang on the sides (this makes lifting the brownies out super easy later).
2. Melt & Mix (Part 1): Place your butter pieces in a large, microwave-safe bowl. Zap it in the microwave until completely melted (usually 45-60 seconds, keep an eye on it!). Immediately stir in the cocoa powder until smooth. Smells amazing already, right?
3. Sweeten the Deal: Add the granulated and brown sugars to the butter-cocoa mixture. Stir it really well – you want it nicely combined.
4. Egg-cellent Addition: Add the beaten eggs and egg yolk, mixing well after each addition. Don’t just dump them all in at once; we want everything incorporated smoothly. Stir in the vanilla extract. Set this yummy mixture aside for a moment.
5. Dry Team Assemble: In your separate, medium-sized bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, cornstarch, and salt. Whisking helps get rid of clumps and distributes everything evenly.
6. Combine Worlds: Gradually pour the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients. Stir just until everything is combined. Seriously, don’t overmix here! Overmixing develops the gluten too much, leading to tough brownies instead of fudgy ones. A few streaks of flour are okay.
7. Pan & Bake: Evenly spread the batter into your prepared pan. An offset spatula works great for this, but the back of a spoon does the trick too. Pop it into your preheated oven and bake for 16-18 minutes. A toothpick inserted into the center should come out with moist crumbs attached, not wet batter. Be careful not to overbake!
8. Cool Down is Crucial: Let the brownies cool COMPLETELY in the pan before you even think about frosting. I know, waiting is the hardest part, but warm brownies and melty frosting don’t mix well. Patience, my friend!

Whip Up the Dreamy Frosting:

1. Gentle Melt: Combine the semisweet chips, milk chocolate chips, and heavy cream in your medium saucepan. Place it over medium-low heat. Stir constantly until the chocolate is completely melted and the mixture is smooth and glossy. Low and slow wins the race here – you don’t want to scorch the chocolate. Need tips on melting chocolate perfectly? Check out this great guide on melting chocolate from Ghirardelli.
2. Flavor Boost & Cool: Remove the saucepan from the heat. Stir in the vanilla extract and the tiny pinch of salt. Let the frosting cool for about 5-10 minutes. It should still be pourable but not piping hot.
3. Frost & Sprinkle: Pour the slightly cooled frosting evenly over your completely cooled brownies. Use a spatula to spread it smoothly from edge to edge.
4. Cosmic Shower! Immediately sprinkle those colorful cosmic brownies sprinkles (candy coated chips) all over the top. Don’t be shy! The frosting needs to be wet for them to stick.
5. Set Up Time: Allow the frosting to harden before cutting and serving. This usually takes about an hour at room temperature. If you’re impatient (like me!), you can speed this up by placing the pan in the refrigerator for about 15-20 minutes.

My Golden Rules for Brownie Bliss (aka Tips!)

• Don’t Overbake! This is the #1 rule for fudgy brownies. Pull them out when they still look slightly underdone in the very center. They’ll continue cooking as they cool. Gooey is good!
• Cocoa Quality Counts: Using a good quality natural cocoa powder makes a difference in the final flavor.
• Cooling is NOT Optional: I know I sound like a broken record, but letting the brownies cool completely before frosting is key for that perfect glossy topping. Molten frosting lava isn’t the look we’re going for (usually!).
• Sprinkle Power: Get the sprinkles on immediately after frosting while it’s still wet, otherwise, they’ll just roll right off. Disaster!

A Little Brownie Story…

These brownies have become my secret weapon. The first time I made them for a school potluck, they vanished in minutes! Now, my kids request these specific brownies – the ‘sparkly space ones,’ they call them – for birthdays, movie nights, or just because it’s Tuesday. Seeing their faces light up makes the (minimal) effort totally worth it. They’re a guaranteed crowd-pleaser, bringing a little bit of that fun, nostalgic magic wherever they go. If you love easy, comforting bakes like this, you might also adore my recipe for Caramel Brownie Cheesecake – another family favorite!

Cosmic Brownies Recipe

These rich and fudgy Cosmic Brownies are topped with a glossy chocolate frosting and colorful candy-coated chips, just like the nostalgic treats you remember — but even better!
Perfectly chewy, extra chocolatey, and easy to make at home.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 18 minutes mins

Total Time 38 minutes mins

Course Breakfast

Cuisine American

Servings 12 bars

Calories 320 kcal

Equipment

• Mixing bowls
• Medium-sized saucepan
• 13×9 inch baking pan
• Parchment Paper
• Spatula

Ingredients

  

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For the Brownies

• 12 Tablespoons butter cut into Tablespoon-sized pieces
• 0.75 cup natural cocoa powder unsweetened
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 0.5 cup brown sugar packed
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 large eggs lightly beaten
• 1 large egg yolk lightly beaten
• 1.25 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon cornstarch
• 0.5 teaspoon salt

For the Glossy Frosting

• 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
• 0.5 cup milk chocolate chips
• 0.33 cup heavy cream
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 0.125 teaspoon salt just a pinch
• 2 Tablespoons candy coated chips for topping

Instructions

 

• Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C). Grease and flour a 13×9 inch pan or line with parchment paper.
• In a large microwave-safe bowl, melt the butter. Stir in the cocoa powder until smooth.
• Add granulated sugar and brown sugar to the cocoa-butter mixture and stir well to combine.
• Mix in the eggs and egg yolk one at a time, stirring well after each addition. Add vanilla extract.
• In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, cornstarch, and salt.
• Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients. Stir until just combined — do not overmix.
• Spread the batter evenly into the prepared baking pan. Bake for 16–18 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with moist crumbs.
• Let brownies cool completely in the pan before frosting.
• For the frosting, combine chocolate chips and cream in a medium saucepan over medium-low heat. Stir constantly until melted and smooth.
• Remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract and salt. Let the frosting cool for 5–10 minutes until still pourable but not hot.
• Pour frosting over the cooled brownies and spread evenly with a spatula.
• Immediately sprinkle candy coated chips on top while frosting is still wet.
• Allow frosting to set for about 1 hour at room temperature or chill in the fridge for 15–20 minutes before slicing and serving.

Notes

For extra clean slices, use a sharp knife and wipe it between cuts. These brownies store well at room temperature for 3 days or in the fridge for up to a week.

Nutrition

Serving: 1ServingCalories: 320kcalCarbohydrates: 40gProtein: 3gFat: 18gSaturated Fat: 10gCholesterol: 55mgSodium: 120mgPotassium: 150mgFiber: 2gSugar: 28gVitamin A: 350IUCalcium: 40mgIron: 2mg

Keyword cosmic brownie cookies, cosmic brownie recipe easy, cosmic brownies ingredients, cosmic brownies sprinkles

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Your Cosmic Questions Answered (FAQs)

• How should I store leftover cosmic brownies? Store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or in the refrigerator for up to a week (they get even fudgier when chilled!).
• Can I make a healthy cosmic brownies recipe or a protein cosmic brownies recipe? Look, these are definitely a treat! While you could experiment with substitutions like using applesauce for some of the butter or adding protein powder to the dry ingredients, be aware it will change the texture and flavor. This recipe is designed for that classic indulgent, fudgy result. Enjoy them in moderation as part of a balanced life! There isn’t a standard cosmic brownies nutrition label for homemade versions as ingredients vary, but consider them a delightful indulgence.
• Did the original cosmic brownies recipe change? People often ask about the cosmic brownies recipe change for the store-bought kind. This recipe is a copycat designed to taste like the beloved classic, using simple home-baking ingredients. We’re capturing the spirit and taste you remember!
• Can I make cosmic brownie cookies instead? This recipe is specifically for fudgy brownie bars. While you could try adapting it by making a slightly thicker batter, scooping onto a baking sheet, and adjusting the bake time, the texture will be different. For a guaranteed cookie texture, you might be better off looking for a recipe specifically developed as cosmic brownie cookies.