Copycat Little Debbie Cosmic Brownies

Sharing is caring!

If you grew up eating Little Debbie Cosmic Brownies, you already know how irresistible those fudgy brownies topped with chocolate ganache and colorful candy bits are! This Copycat Cosmic Brownies recipe gives you that same nostalgic treat at home—and they’re surprisingly easy to make.

These brownies are thick, fudgy, rich and extra chocolatey, with a smooth chocolate ganache on top and plenty of colorful mini M&Ms for that classic Cosmic Brownie look. An oh my- they are SO GOOD! They’re perfect for lunchboxes, birthday parties, bake sales, or whenever you need a serious chocolate fix!

My kids love the Cosmic Brownies (any Little Debbie treats, really) and they absolutely love this copycat recipe. They definitely prefer it to the box!

If you like a good copycat recipe, try my copycat McDonald’s Apple Pie, Starbucks Lemon Loaf, Cracker Barrel’s Hashbrown Casserole, Honey Baked Glazed Ham, and Hamburger Helper.

Why You’ll Love These Copycat Cosmic Brownies

• Super fudgy and chocolatey – These are meant to be soft and chewy, not cakey.
• Easy ingredients – Nothing complicated or hard to find.
• That classic ganache topping – It sets into a delicious fudgy chocolate layer.
• Fun and colorful – Mini M&Ms give them that unmistakable Cosmic Brownie look.
• Perfect make-ahead dessert – They actually get even easier to cut once chilled.

Ingredients

For the Brownies

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon baking powder
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 1½ sticks butter, melted
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• ½ cup brown sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the Chocolate Ganache

• ¾ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
• ¾ cup milk chocolate chips
• ½ cup heavy cream
• Mini M&Ms or rainbow-covered chocolate candies, for topping

How to Make Copycat Cosmic Brownies

1. Prepare the oven and pan

Preheat your oven to 350°F. Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving a little overhang on the sides. This makes the brownies much easier to remove and cut.

You can also spray the pan with nonstick cooking spray if you prefer.

2. Mix the dry ingredients

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, salt, baking powder and cornstarch. Set aside.

3. Make the brownie batter

Add the melted butter, granulated sugar and brown sugar to the bowl of a mixer. Beat until smooth.

Add the eggs and vanilla and mix until well combined.

Add half of the flour mixture and mix on low speed. Scrape down the sides of the bowl, then add the remaining flour mixture.

Mix just until everything is combined. Don’t overmix the batter.

The brownie batter will be thick—that’s exactly what you want!

4. Bake

Spread the thick brownie batter evenly into the prepared 9×13-inch pan.

Bake for 18–20 minutes.

Be careful not to overbake them! The secret to getting that classic Cosmic Brownie texture is to take them out while they’re still fudgy.

Allow the brownies to cool completely before adding the ganache.

5. Make the chocolate ganache

Add the semi-sweet chocolate chips, milk chocolate chips and heavy cream to a saucepan.

Heat over low heat, stirring frequently, until the chocolate is completely melted and the mixture is smooth and glossy.

Pour the ganache over the cooled brownies and spread it into an even layer.

Immediately sprinkle the top with mini M&Ms or rainbow-covered chocolate candies.

6. Chill and cut

Place the brownies in the refrigerator until the chocolate ganache is completely set.

Once chilled, lift the brownies from the pan using the parchment paper. Cut into bars and enjoy!

Tips

Don’t overbake the brownies. This is the most important tip! You want them soft and fudgy in the center. They will continue to set as they cool.

Let them cool completely before adding the ganache. If the brownies are still warm, the ganache can become too thin and won’t create that nice thick chocolate layer.

Use parchment paper. It makes removing the brownies from the pan SO much easier.

Cut them cold. For neat, clean brownie bars, let the ganache fully set in the refrigerator before slicing.

Want extra Cosmic Brownie vibes? Don’t be shy with the colorful candy topping! Add plenty of mini M&Ms while the ganache is still soft so they stick to the chocolate.

Can I Use Different Chocolate Chips?

Absolutely! I like the combination of semi-sweet and milk chocolate because it gives the ganache a rich but sweet chocolate flavor. You can use all semi-sweet chocolate chips if you prefer a darker chocolate flavor.

How Do I Store Cosmic Brownies?

Store the brownies in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Let them sit at room temperature for a few minutes before serving if you prefer a softer brownie.

Can I Freeze Cosmic Brownies?

Yes! Cut the brownies into individual bars and place them in a freezer-safe container, separating layers with parchment paper. Freeze for up to 2–3 months.

Thaw in the refrigerator or at room temperature before serving.

Copycat Little Debbie Cosmic Brownies Recipe

These homemade Cosmic Brownies are one of those desserts that are guaranteed to bring back childhood memories. They’re rich, fudgy and covered with a thick layer of chocolate ganache and colorful candy.

And honestly? They’re even better when you eat one straight from the fridge!

More Delicious Dessert Recipes

• Boston Cream Poke Cake
• Cherry Garcia No Bake Pie
• Lemonade Pie
• Peanut Butter Sheet Cake
• Lemon Pretzel salad
• Cinnamon Roll Bundt Cake
• Crock Pot Candy
• Crock Pot Hot Fudge Sundae Cake
• Chocolate Lasagna

Video How To Make Copycat Cosmic Brownies