Cosmic Brownies Recipe

I love whipping up my Homemade Cosmic Brownies because they are a true classic reinvented. I mix unsalted butter, cocoa powder, and granulated sugar with eggs and vanilla to craft a fudgy base, later topping it with melted butter, powdered sugar, and rainbow sprinkles for that extra flair.

I’ve always been fascinated with recipes that bring a unique twist to a classic treat. When I discovered this homemade Cosmic Brownies recipe, I knew I had to try it.

These brownies are ultra rich, fudgy, and chewy just like the ones from the store, but way better since there are no preservatives. I love mixing 1/2 cup unsalted butter and 1 cup granulated sugar with 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder to get that deep chocolate flavor kick.

Then it’s all about adding 2 large eggs, a teaspoon of vanilla extract, and 3/4 cup all-purpose flour to create the perfect texture. The topping is so cool too – melting another 1/2 cup of butter with powdered sugar, some cocoa powder, milk and vanilla extract, and if you dare, a few rainbow sprinkles on top for that cosmic brownie aesthetic.

Trust me, if you are curious about how to make cosmic brownies, you’re in for a treat!

Why I Like this Recipe

I love this recipe because it’s super easy to make even when i’m not at my best in the kitchen. The brownies always come out fudgy and chewy, which reminds me of the store-bought ones i grew up loving but without all the weird additives. I also dig that the ingredients are simple and stuff i probably already have at home, so i feel like i’m really whipping up a homemade treat. And the topping? Man, that chocolate glaze with rainbow sprinkles makes it extra fun and a little bit fancy even on a simple day.

Ingredients

• Unsalted butter: gives rich, creamy texture and moisture to brownies, enhancing flavor.
• Granulated sugar: main sweetener addin crisp texture and balanced sugary sweetness.
• Unsweetened cocoa powder: imparts deep chocolate flavor with a slight bitter kick.
• Eggs: supply protein while bindin ingredients together, making brownies fudgy.
• Vanilla extract: brings warm, aromatic sweetness that rounds out the chocolate notes.
• All-purpose flour: offers carbohydrates for structure and a chewy consistency.
• Powdered sugar (topping): creates a smooth, sweet layer that makes desserts extra tempting.
• Rainbow sprinkles: optional burst of fun color to top off the cosmic finish.

Ingredient Quantities

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• For the topping: 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
• 1/3 cup cocoa powder
• 2 tablespoons milk
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 cup rainbow sprinkles (optional)

How to Make this

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F and lightly grease an 8×8-inch pan.

2. In a large bowl, cream together 1/2 cup unsalted butter, 1 cup granulated sugar and 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder until it’s smooth and fluffy.

3. Beat in 2 large eggs one at a time then mix in 1 teaspoon vanilla extract until well combined.

4. Sift in 3/4 cup all-purpose flour, 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon baking powder. Stir gently until just mixed.

5. Pour the batter into your prepared pan, making sure it’s spread out evenly.

6. Bake for about 25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with a few moist crumbs. Let the brownies cool completely in the pan.

7. While the brownies cool, prepare the topping by mixing 1/2 cup melted unsalted butter with 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar, 1/3 cup cocoa powder, 2 tablespoons milk, and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract until you get a smooth glaze.

8. Spread the topping evenly over the cooled brownies.

9. If you like, press 1/4 cup rainbow sprinkles lightly onto the top of the glaze while it’s still wet.

10. Chill the brownies for a few minutes to let the topping set, then cut into squares and enjoy your Cosmic Brownies!

Equipment Needed

1. Preheated oven (set to 350°F)
2. 8×8-inch pan (lightly greased)
3. Large mixing bowl for creaming butter and sugar
4. Electric mixer or a hand whisk
5. Measuring cups and spoons
6. Sifter for the flour, salt, and baking powder
7. Rubber spatula for stirring the batter
8. A toothpick to test if the brownies are done
9. A smaller bowl to mix the topping ingredients
10. A microwave-safe bowl or small saucepan to melt the butter for the topping

FAQ

Cosmic Brownies Recipe Substitutions and Variations

• Instead of unsalted butter, try using coconut oil or even a dairy-free margarine in equal amounts, but keep in mind the flavor might vary a bit
• If you dont have granulated sugar, you can use honey or maple syrup instead. Just lower the liquid overall since these are wet
• For eggs, you can substitute each egg with 1/2 mashed banana or 1/4 cup applesauce if you dont want to use them
• If youre out of vanilla extract, a small splash of almond extract can do the trick so long as you dont overdo it
• In case you need a flour swap, whole wheat flour works too, but expect a denser and slightly nuttier brownie texture

Pro Tips

1. You might wanna let the butter and eggs sit at room temp before beginnin to mix, that way they blend more evenly and give you a smoother batter overall.
2. Be sure to sift the dry ingredients real good before addin them to your wet mix, or else you might end up with clumps that mess with your brownie texture.
3. Keep an eye on your brownies a few minutes before the recommended time since every oven heats differently. I’ve had mine overbake if I wasn’t careful.
4. For the topping, try mixing it until it’s just smooth – overmixing can make it too thick and hard to spread evenly, so a little bit of mess is totally okay.