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The Best Homemade Copycat Cosmic Brownies Recipe

Close-up of a rich, fudgy cosmic brownie topped with chocolate frosting and colorful candy pieces.
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Make rich, fudgy, and dense brownies topped with chocolate ganache frosting and candy chips, just like the classic Little Debbie treats.

Ingredients

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  • 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter
  • 1 1/4 cups granulated sugar
  • 1 cup packed light brown sugar
  • 4 large eggs
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips (for batter)
  • 1/2 cup candy-coated chocolate chips (for topping)
  • 1 cup powdered sugar (for frosting)
  • 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder (for frosting)
  • 1/4 cup milk or heavy cream (for frosting)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (for frosting)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line a 9×13 inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang for easy removal.
  2. In a large saucepan over low heat, melt the butter. Remove from heat.
  3. Whisk the granulated sugar and brown sugar into the melted butter until combined.
  4. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.
  5. In a separate bowl, whisk together the cocoa powder, salt, and baking powder. Add this dry mixture to the wet ingredients and mix until just combined. Do not overmix.
  6. Fold in the 1 cup of chocolate chips.
  7. Spread the batter evenly into the prepared baking pan.
  8. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes. A toothpick inserted near the center should come out with moist crumbs attached, not wet batter.
  9. Let the brownies cool completely in the pan on a wire rack. This is important for the frosting.
  10. Prepare the ganache frosting: In a medium bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar and 1/4 cup cocoa powder.
  11. Gradually whisk in the milk and vanilla extract until the frosting is smooth and spreadable. Add a tiny bit more milk if the frosting is too thick.
  12. Spread the chocolate ganache frosting evenly over the cooled brownies.
  13. Immediately sprinkle the 1/2 cup of candy-coated chocolate chips over the frosting before it sets.
  14. Let the frosting set for about 30 minutes before cutting into squares. Lift the brownies out of the pan using the parchment paper overhang before slicing.

Notes

  • For the fudgiest texture, do not overbake the brownies. They should remain slightly underdone in the center when checked with a toothpick.
  • You can use any color combination of candy-coated chocolate chips for the topping.
  • If you prefer a thicker layer of frosting, increase the powdered sugar and cocoa powder in the frosting recipe by 1/4 cup each, adding milk slowly until you reach the desired consistency.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://cookingbycarla.com/cosmic-brownies-fudgy-recipe/