Homemade Cosmic Brownies

If you loved Li'l Debbie's as a kid, you're gonna go crazy for these Homemade Cosmic Brownies. Thick and fudgy with colorful sprinkles, they're even better than store bought.

As kids, we were allowed to eat pretty much anything we wanted. I have memories of being made to sit at the table until I finished my vegetables, but I can never remember not getting dessert. Food was always fun and playful in my household, and I still have so much fun with it today.

Of course, now that I live on a completely different continent, a lot of my childhood food memories are out of reach. And the treats that people find comfort and nostalgia in here, while enjoyable, just don't hold any emotional attachment for me. If I want to relive those childhood memories, I have to create them myself. It doesn't always work out well, but this time, it was even better than I remembered.

What makes these Homemade Cosmic Brownies so awesome?

Just like the store bought original, these Homemade Cosmic Brownies are dense and fudgy and seriously chocolaty. The ganache topping is sweet, and the colorful sprinkles provide a bit of crunch and a lot of fun. And because we're making them one batch of time with real ingredients, they don't have that weird chemical after taste. You know exactly what's going into them, and you know it's all awesome. I mean, it's still not healthy, but it's real food.

These would obviously be awesome for a kid's party, but I don't know a single adult who would say no to these. Unless they have dietary restrictions, in which case they're very sad that they can't have one. There's no better way to reconnect with your inner child that eating a Homemade Cosmic Brownie with a big grin on your face. So make them just because you want to be happy and you want to share that happiness with others. Just because brownies are the best kind of brownies.

Magical Properties of Chocolate

How do you feel when you bite into a piece of really good chocolate and let it melt slowly on your tongue? That encapsulates the magick of chocolate. Whether you're calling in sensual seduction, deep pleasure, or unbridled happiness, chocolate carries a happy energy. Use it in spells for wellbeing, prosperity and love. Chocolate corresponds to the element of fire and the planet Mars, so you could also use dark chocolate or cacao in spells for empowerment. (Source: WitchCraft Cocktails by Julia Halina Hadas)

To learn more about the magical properties of the ingredients in this recipe, check the Kitchen Magick page.

Ingredients

Here's everything you'll need to make these brownies. The full details are in the recipe card below.

• Butter - unsalted; we're going to melt it, so no need to set it out to soften
• Sugar - caster, super fine, or granulated white sugar are all fine
• Eggs
• Vanilla extract
• Flour - all-purpose or plain
• Cocoa powder
• Salt
• Milk - whole milk is ideal, but use whatever you've got
• Chocolate - you'll use a mix of dark and milk, chips or chopped
• Cream - heavy or double cream
• Rainbow sprinkles - Use colorful sprinkles that make you happy. Don't stress out about finding replica Li'l Debbies sprinkles.

Tips for making Homemade Cosmic Brownies

For brownies, I find it's easiest to line your baking pan with parchment paper, leaving some hanging over the edges so you can just lift the whole thing out easily at the end.

To make your brownie batter, you'll start by melting your butter, then adding it to the sugar. Beat this on low with an electric mixture until the mixture has cooled. It should feel only slightly warm to the touch. This avoids your eggs getting cooked when you mix them in next. Add the vanilla as well and beat until you have a smooth, creamy mixture. It should be pale yellow.

Then you can ditch the mixer and sift over the dry ingredients. Fold them in with a spatula until everything is nicely combined, then stir in the milk. Once you have a smooth brownie batter, transfer this to your lined baking pan, smooth out the batter, and bake until set. Don't overbake or they won't be as fudgy.

For the ganache

To make your ganache, add your chocolate chips or chopped chocolate to a mixing bowl. Heat your cream on low in a small saucepan. As soon as you start to see the hint of bubbles, remove it from the heat, pour it over the chocolate, cover the bowl, and leave it for one minute. Then slowly whick your cream and chocolate together until it's smooth and shiny. Stir in your butter. It will melt as you stir it.

Pour this over the brownies and gently nudge it to the edges to cover the whole thing. Scatter your sprinkles over the top, then proceed with the most difficult step, waiting until the brownies are fully cooled before slicing and eating.

Homemade Cosmic Brownies are out of this world. One bite and you'll know just how awesome brownies can be.

Looking for more awesome brownie recipes? Try these simple Kahlua Brownies or some lovely layered Mint Brownies.

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Recipe slightly adapted from Love & Olive Oil.