Cosmic Brownies Recipe
Indulge in these rich and fudgy Cosmic Brownies topped with a smooth chocolate frosting and colorful rainbow candy-coated mini chocolate chips. Perfectly baked with Dutch-processed cocoa powder for an intense chocolate flavor, these brownies are a delightful treat that combines classic textures with a fun, cosmic twist.
- Author: Clara
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 22 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Yield: 12 large brownies or 24 smaller servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Brownie Batter
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ¾ cup unsweetened Dutch-processed cocoa powder
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¾ cup unsalted butter, melted
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup light brown sugar, packed
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
Chocolate Frosting
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- ⅓ cup heavy cream
- 1 tablespoon light clear corn syrup
- 1 ½ tablespoons rainbow candy-coated mini chocolate chips
- Prepare the Oven and Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F. Spray a 9×13-inch straight-sided metal baking pan with non-stick baking spray. Line it with parchment paper, allowing excess to hang over the edges for easy brownie removal after baking.
- Sift Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, sift together all-purpose flour, unsweetened Dutch-processed cocoa powder, cornstarch, and salt. Set this dry mixture aside.
- Mix Butter and Sugars: In a large bowl, whisk together melted unsalted butter, granulated sugar, and light brown sugar until smooth and fully combined.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla: Add eggs one at a time into the butter and sugar mixture, whisking thoroughly after each addition to fully incorporate. Then add vanilla extract and mix well.
- Combine Dry and Wet Ingredients: Gently stir the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients just until no dry streaks remain. The batter will be thick and fudgy.
- Bake the Brownies: Spread the batter evenly in the prepared pan. Bake for 18-22 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
- Cool Brownies: Let the brownies cool completely at room temperature before adding the frosting layer.
- Prepare Frosting: Place semi-sweet chocolate chips in a medium bowl. Pour heavy cream evenly over the chips.
- Microwave Chocolate Mixture: Microwave on high for 1 minute, then add light corn syrup and stir until smooth. Reheat for another 20-30 seconds if needed to melt remaining chips and achieve a smooth consistency.
- Frost the Brownies: Pour chocolate frosting over the cooled brownies and spread to a smooth, even layer.
- Add Rainbow Sprinkles: Sprinkle the rainbow candy-coated mini chocolate chips evenly over the frosting surface.
- Chill Brownies: Refrigerate the brownies for 30 minutes to 1 hour or until the frosting is firm enough for clean slicing.
- Cut the Brownies: Using the parchment paper overhang, lift the brownies out of the pan and place on a large cutting board. Make 5 evenly spaced cuts lengthwise (about 2 inches apart) to make 6 rows, then rotate and cut once down the center widthwise (about 4½ inches wide) to make 2 rows, creating 12 rectangle servings.
- Optional – Create Classic Cosmic Appearance: Use the back end of a wooden skewer to gently press into the chocolate frosting to create an indent in the center of each brownie piece without cutting all the way through; this mimics the original cosmic brownie look and can double the servings to 24 if desired.
Notes
- Room temperature eggs ensure the batter mixes smoothly and evenly.
- Don’t overmix the batter after adding dry ingredients to avoid tough brownies.
- Line the baking pan with parchment paper for easy removal and cleaner cuts.
- You can substitute light corn syrup with golden syrup or honey if needed.
- Allow frosting to set fully in the refrigerator for best slicing results.
- Store leftover brownies in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Keywords: cosmic brownies, fudgy brownies, chocolate brownies, rainbow sprinkles brownies, homemade brownies, chocolate frosting brownies