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Home » Method » Baking

Cosmic Brownies {Little Debbie Copycat Recipe}

By: Kita · Published Aug 30, 2011 · Updated: Nov 30, 2016 · This post may contain affiliate links

Cosmic brownies, just like the ones you ate during lunch at school. Only better, because they're homemade!

Cosmic brownies, just like the ones you ate during lunch at school. Only better, because they're homemade! // Recipe on PassTheSushi.comEver noticed, for a kid, summer lasts forever. Fooooor.Evvvv.Eeer. The time ticked by slowly, even though your days were filled with sunshine and laughter. Occasional family trips felt like days, even though it was really only an afternoon. And you couldn't wait for school to start, to see all of your friends and show off that new 101 Dalmatians side slung backpack you scooped up.

OK, that last one was probably just me, and only in the second grade. Once. I swear.

Now, it seems like summer has come and gone in the blink of an eye, and I didn't even get the awesome summer camp trips. Before I know it, all of my friends are talking about how their kidlets are returning for another year, and I start to fear the return of school bus traffic and annoying college kids that need crossing guards to help them walk properly.

When I laid eyes on these Cosmic Brownies a while back on Amanda's blog, Fake Ginger, I was taken back to brown bag lunches and school days all over again. In hard contention for the number one spot on my childhood favorite list, right up there next to the TastyKake, Cosmic Brownies were always a joy to find in my lunch.

So, if you're packing the kids up and wondering what you can sneak in for a surprise, or are like me and just need an excuse for some brownie noms, try these on for size.

Cosmic brownies, just like the ones you ate during lunch at school. Only better, because they're homemade! // Recipe on PassTheSushi.com

Cosmic Brownies

from Fake Ginger, adapted from Elle’s New England Kitchen  

Ingredients:

For the brownies: 

  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • ⅔ cup brown sugar
  • 1 ½ sticks butter, melted
  • 2 tbs water
  • 2 large eggs
  • 2 teas vanilla
  • 1 ⅓ cups all-purpose flour
  • ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa
  • ½ teas baking powder
  • ¼ teas salt

For the ganache: 

  • ½ cup heavy cream
  • 7 oz bittersweet chocolate
  • pinch of salt
  • And lets not forget some sprinkles.Cosmic brownies, just like the ones you ate during lunch at school. Only better, because they're homemade! // Recipe on PassTheSushi.com

Preparation:

For the brownies: Heat oven to 350F.  Line a 13 x 9 pan with parchment paper or aluminum foil, then lightly grease. Set aside.

In a large bowl, combine the sugars, butter and water with a whisk. Stir in the eggs and vanilla. In a medium bowl, combine the flour, cocoa, baking powder and salt. Stir the dry mix into the wet mixture and stir to combine. With a rubber spatula, spread the batter into the prepared pan. Bake for 18 minutes. Don’t over bake (the key to a classic Cosmic Brownie was its dense fudgy texture).

Set aside on a rack to cool.

For the ganache: Place the chocolate in a bowl and set aside. In a small saucepan, heat the cream just to a simmer. Don’t boil it, just wait till you see little bubbles starting to form around the edges. Remove from the heat and pour over the chocolate. Sprinkle with the salt and let it all sit for a minute or so. Gently stir with a rubber spatula until all of the chocolate is melted. Cool slightly.

When the brownies are almost completely cooled, pour the ganache over and spread it evenly over the top. Let loose with some sprinkles. Cool completely.

When ganache is set, lift them out with the foil and cut into small squares.

Cosmic brownies, just like the ones you ate during lunch at school. Only better, because they're homemade! // Recipe on PassTheSushi.com

Traditional Cosmic Brownies come 2 to a package. Just enough to fill your inner fat kids left cavity, but it is really all you need for a great afternoon snack.

 

More Baking

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    Recipe Rating




  1. Katrina @ In Katrina's Kitchen says

    August 30, 2011 at 6:09 am

    I love how innocent they look with the apple right beside them 🙂 I too made these from Amanda but it was literally the next day so I didn't post them lol. They are yummy!

    Reply
  2. Cassie @ Bake Your Day says

    August 30, 2011 at 7:27 am

    This is so fun and they look like the real deal. Delicious, Kita!! PS - the photos are beautiful, as always!

    Reply
  3. Blog is the New Black says

    August 30, 2011 at 8:34 am

    Ahhh, nostalgia!

    Reply
  4. amanda @ fake ginger says

    August 30, 2011 at 8:42 am

    Now I want to go make them again!

    Reply
  5. Yuri says

    August 30, 2011 at 8:45 am

    mmm you can never go wrong with brownies 🙂

    Reply
  6. Stephanie says

    August 30, 2011 at 10:14 am

    Kita, these brownies look so great! These look much better than the Little Debbie version! They look so rich and wonderful!

    Reply
  7. Sarah says

    August 30, 2011 at 10:24 am

    These are sooo not what I was expecting 😉 I love nostalgic desserts, makes me want to be a kid again bringing a lunchbox to school!!

    Reply
  8. Colleen says

    August 30, 2011 at 10:28 am

    Omg I used to eat these ALL THE TIME at lunch! They were so good. I bet these are fifty million times better, though! Thanks for sharing 🙂

    Reply
  9. Peggy says

    August 30, 2011 at 10:43 am

    I remember TastyKakes were a staple in our house! I wish I could find them in the Midwest =)

    And these Cosmic Brownies will definitely be gracing our dessert plates very soon - well done Kita!

    Reply
  10. Liz says

    August 30, 2011 at 10:47 am

    Oh, gosh, who could resist these beauties???? My family loves when I ice our brownies...and they would be delighted with yours!!

    Reply
  11. claire @ the realistic nutritionist says

    August 30, 2011 at 11:23 am

    I had a dream i was going back to college and I nearly had a breakdown when I realized it wasn't happening. haha. I miss school.

    These brownies are fabulous though. I'd be the happiest kid in school if I had one of these in my lunch box!

    Reply
  12. RavieNomNoms says

    August 30, 2011 at 11:24 am

    I know right?! Summer seemed to be endless when you are younger and this summer definitely flew by without my even noticing it going. I mean really, when people tell you time goes quicker as you get older they ain't kiddin!

    These brownies are so great! I love their super dark color and I love the presentation you have...the apple makes it seem like its OK to enjoy both of those gorgeous brownies hehe

    Reply
  13. Melissa (MelissaLikesToEat) says

    August 30, 2011 at 11:56 am

    Maybe I'm crazy but I've never heard of Cosmic Brownies!

    Reply
  14. Tina@flourtrader says

    August 30, 2011 at 1:36 pm

    Nothing like a dark fudgy brownie in your lunchbox! I'll bet these did not last long-yum!

    Reply
  15. Evan Thomas says

    August 30, 2011 at 2:31 pm

    These are awesome. My best friend in high school used to go crazy for cosmic brownies. He would buy the whole box.

    Reply
  16. Claudia says

    August 30, 2011 at 7:11 pm

    And they'd never eat their brownies. Not that I would have minded "back in the day." Back to school = end of summer = sad.

    Reply
  17. Kim Bee says

    August 30, 2011 at 9:24 pm

    These look amazing. I have university aged kids but they'd gladly pack these up next week when they return to school.

    Reply
  18. Ann says

    August 31, 2011 at 12:50 am

    They look delicious and the PERFECT school lunch treat!

    Reply
  19. Erin says

    August 31, 2011 at 3:15 pm

    Love this! I love Little Debbies and the idea of making them at home!
    Also-my best friend and I totally had matching 101 Dalmatian backpacks in preschool!

    Reply
  20. Colette says

    August 31, 2011 at 5:21 pm

    Those look LOADED with cocoa! I can't wait to try them.

    Reply
  21. Sandra's Easy Cooking says

    August 31, 2011 at 8:33 pm

    This is just right for school break snack..awesome recipe and beautiful photos..love the apple on the side..nice touch!

    Reply
  22. briarrose says

    September 01, 2011 at 6:40 pm

    Perfection...especially with the sprinkles on top. I would love to have one of these right now.

    Reply
  23. Tori @ The Shiksa in the Kitchen says

    September 02, 2011 at 12:43 pm

    Love it! My stepdaughter went back to school this week. Might have to slip one of these into her lunchbox and score some "brownie points"! 😉

    Reply
  24. Tres Delicious says

    September 04, 2011 at 6:13 am

    Looks like a domino but an edible one. I like the way its featured, it looks yummylicious.

    Reply
  25. Roxana GreenGirl says

    September 04, 2011 at 2:22 pm

    these brownies look so sinful. I would love to dig into at least one piece. The chocolate ganache on top makes them even harder to resist! And the sprinkles ... so cute!

    Reply
  26. Sandra says

    September 04, 2011 at 6:30 pm

    I have a serious chocolate craving right now.

    Reply
  27. Kim (Feed Me, Seymour) says

    September 06, 2011 at 9:04 am

    Thank you, thank you, thank you for posting this recipe. My daughter and husband will have WARS over who gets the last cosmic brownie in our house. I hate them myself, too rich for me. But to be able to make these at home and put off the arguing and blaming over where the last one went? You are my hero!

    Reply

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Hi, I'm Kita! The mountain biking, travel junkie, professional freelance photographer, and creator behind the scenes.

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