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Homemade Cosmic Brownies Recipe

★★★★★

4.8 from 95 reviews
  • Author: Harry
  • Total Time: 1 hour 50 minutes
  • Yield: 8 large bars or 16 smaller squares 1x

Description

Homemade Cosmic Brownies are rich, fudgy chocolate brownies topped with a silky bittersweet ganache and colorful candy-coated chocolate chip sprinkles. These decadent brownies feature a crisp top, moist crumb, and the classic cosmic brownie look, perfect for parties, special occasions, or a satisfying treat at home.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Brownies

  • Nonstick cooking spray
  • 1/2 cup (113g) unsalted butter
  • 1/4 cup (28g) Dutch-process cocoa powder
  • 2 tablespoons neutral oil (canola or vegetable)
  • 5 ounces (142g) bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped
  • 2/3 cup (145g) granulated sugar
  • 1/3 cup (72g) packed light brown sugar
  • 2 large eggs, at room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/4 cup (32g) all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

For the Ganache and Topping

  • 3 ounces (85g) bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped
  • Pinch kosher salt
  • 6 tablespoons heavy cream
  • Candy-coated chocolate chip sprinkles, as desired for topping

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C) and position a rack in the middle.
  2. Prepare Pan: Lightly spray an 8×8-inch square baking pan with nonstick cooking spray, then line it with parchment paper that slightly overhangs two sides. Spray the parchment and pan sides once more to grease thoroughly.
  3. Make Chocolate Mixture: Melt butter in a small saucepan over medium heat for 2.5 to 3 minutes without browning. Remove from heat and whisk in cocoa powder and oil until combined. Add bittersweet chocolate and whisk until melted and smooth. Set aside to cool slightly.
  4. Whisk Sugars, Eggs, and Vanilla: In a large bowl, vigorously whisk granulated sugar, brown sugar, eggs, and vanilla for about 2 minutes until pale and combined. Add the cooled chocolate mixture and whisk to blend.
  5. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a small bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. Add this to the chocolate batter and whisk until just combined, then fold gently with a spatula to incorporate all flour, leaving some streaks is acceptable.
  6. Transfer and Bake: Spread the thick batter evenly into the prepared pan. Bake for 25 to 28 minutes until the top looks crinkly and a toothpick comes out clean or with moist crumbs but no wet batter. The brownies will puff and then settle near the end of baking.
  7. Cool Brownies: Let the brownies cool completely in the pan on a wire rack, about 1 hour.
  8. Make Ganache: Place chopped bittersweet chocolate and a pinch of salt in a bowl. Heat heavy cream in a small saucepan over medium heat until just simmering (1 to 2 minutes). Pour hot cream over chocolate and let sit for a minute, then stir until smooth and silky.
  9. Spread Ganache and Top: Lift brownies out using parchment overhang and place on a cutting board. Flip if desired for an even surface. While ganache is warm, spread it evenly over the brownies and immediately sprinkle candy-coated chocolate chip sprinkles on top.
  10. Set and Slice: Refrigerate brownies for about 30 minutes until ganache is firm. Use a hot, dry knife (wiped clean between cuts) to slice brownies. For signature perforated look, cut brownies in halves lengthwise, lightly score a line down the middle of each half, then cut each half into four pieces, making 8 bars total. Alternatively, cut into 16 squares without perforations.
  11. Store Properly: Keep brownies in a single layer in an airtight container at room temperature up to 2 days or refrigerated up to 1 week.

Notes

  • Butter should be melted gently without browning to preserve a smooth chocolate flavor.
  • Allow the ganache to cool slightly before spreading to avoid melting the brownies’ surface.
  • Use a hot knife for clean, smooth cuts in the ganache-topped brownies.
  • Sprinkles add a colorful, nostalgic touch but can be omitted or replaced with other toppings.
  • Room temperature eggs mix better and give lighter texture to brownies.
  • Baking time may vary slightly depending on oven; watch for the crinkly top and moist crumbs on a toothpick as indicators of doneness.
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 28 minutes
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Keywords: cosmic brownies, homemade brownies, chocolate brownies, ganache, fudgy brownies, dessert, bake at home

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Find it online: https://dishesbyharry.com/homemade-cosmic-brownies-recipe/