Cosmic Brownie Cookies

Rich chocolate brownie cookies topped with silky ganache and rainbow candy chips—these Cosmic Brownie Cookies are a fun, nostalgic treat!

this Recipe

You know that feeling when you bite into something and bam—suddenly you’re nine years old again, sitting cross-legged on the kitchen floor with a juice box? That’s exactly what happened to me the first time I recreated these Cosmic Brownie Cookies. One bite, and I was back in 1998, opening my lunchbox at school, hoping to find a Little Debbie Cosmic Brownie. If you know, you know.

But here’s the twist. These homemade cookies? They’re a grown-up (but still fun) spin on the cosmic brownie. Fudgy, rich, and covered in shiny chocolate ganache with those cheerful rainbow candy chips sprinkled on top like confetti. I made these on a whim during a snowstorm last winter—because what else do you do when you’re snowed in with a sweet tooth? Let’s just say they didn’t last 24 hours in our house.

Why You’ll Love This Cosmic Brownie Cookies Recipe?

• They’re basically childhood in a cookie. If you’ve ever loved a cosmic brownie, these are going to hit every nostalgic note—but with a little homemade magic.
• They’re easy. Seriously, no mixer required. If you can melt chocolate in the microwave, you’ve got this.
• Fudgy and gooey. These aren’t cakey cookies. Nope. They’re rich, soft in the center, with crackly tops. Just how a brownie should be.
• The ganache takes them over the top. Slather it on. You won’t regret it.
• Rainbow chips. Enough said. They make everything happier.

Ingredient Notes:

Let’s talk ingredients. Nothing fancy here, just solid, reliable pantry staples with a few fun extras.

• Semi-Sweet Baking Chocolate (8 oz): I used Baker’s brand because it’s what I had, but Ghirardelli works too. Just make sure it’s good chocolate—it makes all the difference.
• Salted Butter (¼ cup): I always go for salted because it balances the sweet. You can use unsalted, but why not live a little?
• Brown Sugar & Granulated Sugar (½ cup each): The combo gives you that perfect chewy texture. Brown sugar adds moisture (and a little caramelly goodness).
• Cocoa Powder (2 tbsp): I used Dutch-process because I’m extra like that. Regular unsweetened cocoa works just fine.
• Eggs (2 large): Room temp makes them whip up fluffier, but hey, I’ve forgotten before and they still worked.
• Ganache (¾ cup chocolate chips + 3 tbsp heavy cream): This stuff? Liquid gold.
• Rainbow Candy Chips (¼ cup): These make it cosmic. I found them at the bulk section of my grocery store—yay for nostalgia in bulk.

How To Make Cosmic Brownie Cookies?

Alright, friend. Let’s make these together. I’ll even tell you where I messed up once or twice (because hey, it happens).

Step 1: Melt Chocolate + Butter

Grab a microwave-safe bowl and melt your chocolate and butter. Do it in 20-second bursts and stir every time. I know it’s tempting to let it ride, but trust me, burnt chocolate is a heartbreak you don’t need today.

Step 2: Mix Your Dry Stuff

In another bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt. This is the part where I usually spill flour all over the counter, but maybe that’s just me?

Step 3: Whip the Eggs + Sugar

This part’s a workout, not gonna lie. Whisk your eggs and both sugars together for a good five minutes until it’s pale and fluffy. My arm gets tired, but I pretend it’s strength training to justify the cookies I’ll eat later.

Step 4: Bring It All Together

Pour in your melted chocolate mixture and vanilla extract. Give it a gentle stir. Then fold in the dry ingredients until just combined. Don’t overmix or they’ll be tough, and nobody wants that.

Step 5: Scoop and Bake

Scoop out about 1½ tablespoons of dough per cookie onto a lined baking sheet. Give them room—they spread! Bake at 350°F for 8-9 minutes. They’ll look crackly on top and soft in the center. That’s the sweet spot.

Step 6: Ganache Time

Heat the cream until it’s just about to simmer, then pour it over the chocolate chips. Let it sit, then stir until smooth. Spoon or spread that creamy goodness on each cooled cookie.

Step 7: Sprinkle and Set

Top with rainbow candy chips. Stick them in the fridge for 20 minutes if you’re patient. (I wasn’t. Still delicious.)

Storage Options:

• Room temp: In an airtight container for up to 3 days. They stay fudgy and chewy.
• Fridge: Keeps them firm (and that ganache set!) for up to 5 days.
• Freezer: These freeze like champs! Just freeze on a tray first, then transfer to a zip-top bag. Warm ‘em in the microwave for a little gooey action.

Variations and Substitutions:

• Different Chips: Use peanut butter chips or white chocolate for the ganache topping.
• Extra Crunch: Add walnuts or pecans to the cookie dough. I did this once and it was chef’s kiss.
• Holiday Theme: Swap rainbow chips for red and green at Christmas, or pink and red for Valentine’s.
• Gluten-Free: Use a good 1:1 gluten-free flour blend—Bob’s Red Mill makes a solid one.

What to Serve with Cosmic Brownie Cookies?

• Milk: You just have to. Classic.
• Coffee: These pair so well with a hot, strong coffee. That bitter and sweet balance? Perfection.
• Vanilla Ice Cream: Sandwich a scoop between two cookies. Over the top? Maybe. Worth it? Absolutely.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use unsweetened chocolate instead of semi-sweet?
You can, but you’ll want to add extra sugar. Semi-sweet gives the perfect balance without fuss.

Why did my cookies not crack on top?
You probably didn’t whisk the eggs and sugar long enough. Get in there and whip it good next time.

Do I have to use rainbow candy chips?
Nope! But they’re fun and cute, and honestly, why not add a little color to your day?

And there you have it—my favorite Cosmic Brownie Cookies recipe that’s part childhood memory, part chocolate therapy, and all kinds of delicious.

If you make them, please tell me! Snap a photo, tag me, or just shoot me a message saying they made your day. Can’t wait to hear how they turn out!

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Cosmic Brownie Cookies

Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 9 minutes mins

Immerse yourself in the captivating realm of Cosmic Brownie Cookies, a creation that guarantees to transport your taste buds on an adventure. Every cookie is a work of art blending the intense flavors of sweet chocolate with the soft crumb of a flawlessly baked brownie. If that wasn't enticing enough they are adorned with a chocolate ganache adding an extra layer of velvety indulgence. The finishing touch comes from a sprinkle of rainbow candy-coated chocolate chips not only infusing playful bursts of color but also introducing an enjoyable contrast, in texture.

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20 Servings

Ingredients

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Ingredients for Brownie Cookies:

• 8 ounces semi-sweet baking chocolate
• 1/4 cup salted butter
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour spooned and leveled
• 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs at room temperature
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Ingredients for Chocolate Ganache:

• 3/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 3 tablespoons heavy cream
• 1/4 cup rainbow candy-coated chocolate chips

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Instructions

 

1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Line a baking sheet, with parchment paper.

Create the Cookie Dough:

1. In the microwave melt 8 ounces of sweet baking chocolate and 1/4 cup of salted butter together stirring every 20 seconds until smooth.
2. In a bowl whisk together 1/2 cup of all-purpose flour, 2 tablespoons of cocoa powder, 1/2 teaspoon of baking powder and 1/4 teaspoon of salt.
3. In a bowl whisk together 1/2 cup each of sugar and granulated sugar with 2 large eggs for approximately 5 minutes until frothy.
4. Add in the melted chocolate-butter mixture. Stir in 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract.
5. Gently fold in the flour mixture until it is just combined.

Bake the Cookies:

1. Using a scoop or spoon place portions of dough that are 1 & 1/2 tablespoons onto the prepared baking sheet. Make sure to space them two inches from each other.
2. Bake for 8 to 9 minutes until the edges are firm and the tops have a cracked appearance.
3. Allow the cookies to cool completely on the baking sheet.

Prepare the Chocolate Ganache:

1. Take a bowl and add in three quarters (3/4) cups of sweet chocolate chips.
2. Heat three (3) tablespoons of heavy cream, in the microwave until it is hot but not boiling. This usually takes forty (40) seconds.

Finish the Cookies:

1. Start by pouring the cream onto the chocolate chips. Allow it to sit for a minute and then stir until the mixture becomes smooth.
2. If there are any remaining chunks of chocolate you can microwave the mixture for a few seconds to melt them completely.
3. Now let's move on to finishing the cookies. Take the cookies. Evenly spread the ganache on top of each one.
4. Sprinkle 1/4 cup of rainbow candy-coated chocolate chips, over the ganache layer.
5. Place the cookies in the refrigerator for 20 minutes to allow the ganache to set.
6. Finally, your delicious Cosmic Brownie Cookies are ready! Enjoy!

Notes

To make these Cosmic Brownie Cookies gluten-free you just need to make adjustments. Instead of all-purpose flour opt, for a high-quality blend of gluten-free flour. Look for one that is designed to be a 1:1 substitute, for wheat flour and preferably includes xanthan gum, which helps bind the ingredients in the absence of gluten.

When choosing your chocolate and cocoa powder double-check that they are certified gluten-free because some chocolate products may contain gluten additives. When it comes to the rainbow candy-coated chocolate chips it's important to select a brand specifically labeled as gluten-free to avoid any cross contamination.

Audrey

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Bitty

I’m Bitty, owner of nodashofgluten.com, where I share simple, delicious recipes for all tastes, including gluten-free. Check out my “About Me” page for more info!

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