Homemade Little Debbie Cosmic Brownies
User Reviews
4.7
Homemade Little Debbie Cosmic Brownies
Description
This recipe produces classic Cosmic Brownies starting with a butter-rich brownie batter mixed with granulated and brown sugars, coffee or water, and vanilla extract. Cocoa powder and instant espresso granules deepen the chocolate flavor while all-purpose flour provides structure. Baking until just set with a fudgy center ensures a moist crumb.
After cooling, the brownies are covered with a ganache made by melting semi-sweet chocolate chips with half-and-half or cream, which sets smoothly atop the brownies. The final layer of M&M's adds a colorful, slightly crunchy contrast to the creamy ganache and soft brownie.
They work well as a nostalgic dessert or snack with lasting rich chocolate appeal, suitable for sharing or special occasions. Storing the brownies refrigerated preserves their fudgy texture and extends freshness, with freezing an option for longer storage.
The recipe recommends slicing after thorough cooling to maintain the integrity of the ganache and topping, ensuring clean pieces.
Ingredients
For the Brownies
- ¾ cup butter 1 1/2 sticks, melted, unsalted
- 2 egg large
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ⅔ cup light brown sugar packed
- 2 tablespoons coffee coffee leftover from the morning brew is fine, or water
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- ¾ cup unsweetened natural cocoa powder I used Hershey’s Special Dark, or dark cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon instant espresso granules make sure it’s instant so it dissolves, optional but recommended
- ¾ cup all-purpose flour
For the Ganache
- 1 ½ cups chocolate chips semi-sweet
- ½ cup half-and-half I used half-and-half, or cream
- 1 cup M&M's they’re sold in small tubes and I used 1 1/2 tubes; regular size M&Ms may be substituted, mini size
Instructions
- Make the Brownies
- Preheat oven to 350F. Line a 9-by-9-inch baking pan with aluminum foil, spray with cooking spray; set aside.
- In a large, microwave safe bowl, melt the butter, about 90 seconds on high power.
- Add the eggs, sugars, coffee, vanilla, and whisk to combine.
- Add the cocoa powder, instant espresso, and whisk until incorporated, free from lumps, and smooth. It could take a few minutes if your cocoa powder is lumpy.
- Add the flour and stir until it’s just incorporated; don’t overmix.
- Turn batter out into prepared pan, smoothing the top lightly with a spatula. Bake for 25 to 29 minutes, or until top has just set, isn’t jiggly in the center, and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or with a few fudgy moist crumbs, but no batter. I baked mine for 26 minutes.
- Allow brownies to cool completely in pan. While brownies cool, make the ganache.
- Make the Ganache
- Add chocolate chips to a medium, microwave-safe bowl and heat on high power for 1 minute to soften chips. They won’t be melted, this is okay. Don’t stir; set bowl aside.
- Heat cream in a glass measuring cup or microwave-safe bowl until it begins to bubble and show signs of just beginning to boiling, about 1 minute on high power.
- Pour cream over chocolate chips and let stand for 5 to 10 minutes.
- With a whisk, beat mixture until silky, smooth, and combined. If your mixture isn’t smoothing out, heat in 15-second bursts in the microwaves until it can be stirred smooth.
- Pour ganache over mostly cooled brownies (after about 30 minutes is fine; they don’t have to be completely cooled). Smooth ganache lightly with a spatula or offset knife.
- Evenly sprinkle with M&Ms.
- Cover pan with a sheet of foil to prevent fridge smells, and place pan in refrigerator until ganache sets up before slicing and serving, at least 2 hours. Do not slice into them until the ganache has set; feel free to make these in advance and store them in the fridge; they get better with time.
Notes
- Store brownies airtight in the refrigerator for up to two weeks to keep the rich fudgy texture.
- Brownies may be frozen for up to six months for extended storage.
- Cool brownies completely before adding ganache and toppings to prevent melting or sliding.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 9brownies
Amount Per Serving
Calories 640 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1 | |
| Calories | 640kcal | 32% |
| Carbohydrates | 84g | 28% |
| Protein | 7g | 14% |
| Fat | 33g | 51% |
| Saturated Fat | 20g | 100% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 11g | 65% |
| Cholesterol | 94mg | 31% |
| Sodium | 50mg | 2% |
| Fiber | 4g | 16% |
| Sugar | 67g | 134% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
4.7
You'll Also Love
