If you’re craving a dessert that’s rich, fudgy, and packed with a burst of colorful fun, the Cosmic Brownies Recipe is your perfect match. These brownies combine luscious dark chocolate with a smooth, sweet icing speckled with rainbow sprinkles, delivering both classic comfort and a playful twist. Whether it’s a family gathering, a special treat for yourself, or a festive party dessert, these brownies hit all the right notes with a texture that’s wonderfully dense and a flavor that’s truly out of this world.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering simple, essential ingredients is the key to making these cosmic delights. Each one brings something special to the table, from the deep chocolate flavor to the silky texture and that final pop of color.
- 200g dark chocolate, coarsely chopped: This is the heart of your brownie, providing that rich, intense chocolate base.
- 180g unsalted butter, cold: Adds moisture and tenderness while balancing the chocolate’s bitterness.
- 15g dutch process cocoa powder, sifted: Enhances chocolate flavor and contributes to a velvety texture.
- 3 large eggs, at room temperature: Bind the batter and create structure for perfect fudginess.
- 200g caster sugar: Sweetens the brownies while helping to achieve that shiny crust.
- 100g light or dark brown sugar: Adds a slight caramel undertone and chewiness.
- 2g (½ tsp) kosher salt: Balances sweetness and amplifies the chocolate notes.
- ½ tsp vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste: Adds warm, aromatic depth.
- 100g all-purpose flour, sifted: Gives brownies structure without making them cakey.
- 250g powdered sugar, sifted: For the luscious, creamy chocolate icing.
- 25g cocoa powder: Intensifies the chocolate flavor in the icing.
- Pinch of salt: Enhances the sweetness and rounds out the icing taste.
- 60g unsalted butter, at room temperature: Creates a smooth, rich icing texture.
- 40g boiling water: Helps melt and blend the icing ingredients to silky perfection.
- Rainbow sprinkles: The whimsical finishing touch that gives Cosmic Brownies their signature look.
How to Make Cosmic Brownies Recipe
Step 1: Prepare and Preheat
Set your oven to 175°C (350°F) and grease a baking pan or line it with parchment paper. This preparation ensures your brownies come out clean and easy to slice, making cleanup a breeze.
Step 2: Melt Chocolate and Butter
Gently melt the coarsely chopped dark chocolate and cold butter together—either over a double boiler or in short bursts in the microwave—stirring until smooth. This melting process allows the chocolate to reach that luscious, silky base for your brownies.
Step 3: Add Cocoa Powder
Whisk in the sifted Dutch process cocoa powder into the melted mixture. This step deepens the chocolate flavor and adds extra richness to your batter.
Step 4: Whisk Sugars and Eggs
In a separate bowl, vigorously mix the caster sugar, brown sugar, and eggs until pale and combined. This creates a light, airy foundation that will lend your brownies a perfect fudgy texture.
Step 5: Combine All Ingredients
Slowly fold the melted chocolate mixture into the sugar-egg blend. Add the kosher salt, vanilla, and sifted flour, carefully folding until smooth and uniform but avoid overmixing to keep the texture dense and tender.
Step 6: Bake the Brownies
Pour the batter into your prepared pan, spreading it evenly. Bake for about 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with just a few moist crumbs. Overbaking is the enemy of fudginess, so keep a close eye.
Step 7: Make the Chocolate Icing
Sift together the powdered sugar, cocoa powder, and a pinch of salt in a bowl. Mix in the room temperature butter until smooth. Pour in the boiling water gradually while whisking until the icing is glossy and spreadable.
Step 8: Ice and Decorate
Once the brownies are completely cooled, generously spread the chocolate icing across the top. Quickly sprinkle on your rainbow sprinkles before the icing sets to create that iconic cosmic look.
How to Serve Cosmic Brownies Recipe
Garnishes
The Rainbow Sprinkles are indispensable for adding color and playfulness, but you can also dust a little extra cocoa powder or a few chocolate shavings for a gourmet touch. A dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream also pairs wonderfully.
Side Dishes
Serve alongside fresh berries or a vibrant fruit salad to balance the richness of the brownies. For a more indulgent combo, a drizzle of salted caramel sauce or some warm espresso makes a divine partner.
Creative Ways to Present
Cut the brownies into small squares and serve them on a platter for parties, or layer them in clear glass jars with whipped cream and crushed cookies for a delightful dessert parfait. Wrapping individual squares in colorful parchment paper makes a perfect gift or school snack.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep leftover brownies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days to maintain their fudgy texture. Refrigeration can dry them out, so it’s best avoided unless your kitchen is very warm.
Freezing
Wrap the brownies tightly in plastic wrap and then foil for up to 2 months in the freezer. Thaw them overnight at room temperature when ready to enjoy. The icing might firm up, but a few moments at room temperature bring back that perfect softness.
Reheating
Warm brownie portions gently in the microwave for 10-15 seconds or place in a warm oven (about 150°C / 300°F) for a few minutes to revive their softness and intensify the chocolate aroma.
FAQs
What makes Cosmic Brownies different from regular brownies?
Cosmic Brownies are renowned for their thick, fudgy texture topped with a rich chocolate icing sprinkled with colorful rainbow sprinkles, adding a playful and nostalgic twist compared to traditional brownies.
Can I use milk chocolate instead of dark chocolate?
While you can substitute milk chocolate, be aware it will make the brownies sweeter and less intense in flavor. Dark chocolate provides a deeper, richer taste that’s key to getting that cosmic effect.
Do I have to sift the dry ingredients?
Sifting helps prevent lumps and ensures your brownie batter and icing are smooth and evenly textured, making it an important step for the best results.
Can I make the Cosmic Brownies Recipe gluten-free?
Yes! Substitute the all-purpose flour for a gluten-free blend that measures cup-for-cup, and be sure to check that your cocoa powder and other ingredients are certified gluten-free.
How do I get the icing to be so smooth and shiny?
Using boiling water to dissolve the powdered sugar and butter mixture is the secret to achieving that glossy, spreadable finish. Whisk vigorously for a few minutes to incorporate air and ensure smoothness.
Final Thoughts
There’s something undeniably joyful about making and sharing the Cosmic Brownies Recipe. It’s a sweet moment wrapped in chocolate and color that many have cherished for years. Once you try your hand at baking these at home, you’ll see why they’re so beloved—and you’ll want to make them again and again to brighten up every occasion!
Print
Cosmic Brownies Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 16 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Delight in these decadent Cosmic Brownies featuring a rich, fudgy chocolate base topped with a smooth chocolate icing and colorful rainbow sprinkles. Perfect for celebrations or a sweet treat anytime, these brownies are baked to perfection and finished with a luscious chocolate frosting that melts in your mouth.
Ingredients
Brownie
- 200g dark chocolate, coarsely chopped
- 180g unsalted butter, cold
- 15g dutch process cocoa powder, sifted
- 3 large eggs, at room temperature
- 200g caster sugar
- 100g light or dark brown sugar
- 2g (½ tsp) kosher salt
- ½ tsp vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste
- 100g all-purpose flour, sifted
Chocolate Icing
- 250g powdered sugar, sifted
- 25g cocoa powder
- Pinch of salt
- 60g unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 40g boiling water
- Rainbow Sprinkles, as desired
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan: Set your oven to 180°C (350°F). Grease and line a baking pan with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure easy removal of the brownies.
- Melt Chocolate and Butter: In a heatproof bowl over simmering water or in a microwave using short bursts, gently melt the 200g chopped dark chocolate together with 180g cold unsalted butter until smooth. Remove from heat.
- Add Cocoa Powder: Sift and stir in 15g dutch process cocoa powder into the melted chocolate mixture until fully incorporated, creating a rich chocolate base.
- Mix Sugars and Eggs: In a separate bowl, whisk together 3 large room temperature eggs, 200g caster sugar, and 100g light or dark brown sugar until pale and fluffy. Add 2g kosher salt and ½ tsp vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste for flavor.
- Combine All Ingredients: Gradually fold the egg and sugar mixture into the chocolate mixture. Then carefully fold in 100g sifted all-purpose flour until just combined, being careful not to overmix which can make brownies tough.
- Bake: Pour the batter evenly into the prepared pan. Bake in the preheated oven for approximately 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with a few moist crumbs attached for a fudgy texture. Remove from oven and let cool completely on a wire rack.
- Sift Dry Ingredients for Icing: For the chocolate icing, sift together 250g powdered sugar, 25g cocoa powder, and a pinch of salt into a mixing bowl.
- Add Butter: Add 60g unsalted butter at room temperature to the sifted dry ingredients and start mixing to combine evenly.
- Pour Boiling Water and Mix: Gradually pour in 40g boiling water while mixing continuously until the icing forms a smooth, spreadable consistency.
- Ice Brownie: Spread the chocolate icing evenly over the cooled brownie layer using a spatula or knife for an even finish.
- Add Sprinkles and Chill: Immediately decorate the iced surface with rainbow sprinkles to add a colorful, festive touch. Chill the frosted brownies in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour to set the icing.
- Slice and Store: Once chilled and set, slice the brownies into 16 servings. Store any leftovers covered in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Notes
- Ensure eggs are at room temperature for better mixing and batter rise.
- Do not overbake the brownies to maintain fudginess; a few moist crumbs on a toothpick is ideal.
- Use good quality dark chocolate for a richer flavor.
- Allow brownies to cool completely before icing to prevent melting.
- Rainbow sprinkles add a fun, cosmic effect but can be omitted if preferred.
- For easier cutting, chill brownies before slicing to prevent crumbling.
