Helllllo friends. I realized something the other day. Something that saddens me.
I hardly have any dessert recipes on the blog! I don’t know why because I am a dessert lover. See me and my dessert….I like the real thing. #sorryImnotsorry
And it doesn’t mean I don’t appreciate making things a little healthier, I just don’t mind dessert calories because I don’t have often enough to worry about it. And desserts are so much fun to photograph. Must do it again soon.
So today’s recipe…a copycat recipe from these little treats.
Can we just talk about Little Debbie snacks for a minute? Every kid in the 80s had these little bad-boys in their lunches. It’s hard to even narrow down what once were my favorites, but I’d say star crunch, nutter bars, zebra cakes, oatmeal creme pies would take the lead.
Oh my gosh….alllllll the junk!
It’s actually comical to reminisce about the crap we ate as kids- TV dinners (oh man the salisbury steak and fried chicken were my favorite) and processed goodies like these. It’s a wonder I am still alive! 😉
But in defense to my parents, we did eat healthy too and I probably didn’t eat the junk as much as I think, but the junk sure is memorable.
There is no way I’d buy these for my kids now. The ingredient lists are truly scary- that stuff can stay on the shelves for infinity! 😉 But I can bake from scratch!
and these were loved by everyone (although my kids would love a piece of cardboard dipped in chocolate).
The first time I tried this copycat recipe was about 3 1/2 years ago when we lived in Missouri. Fast forward time, wow! I knew I wanted to make them again, but also wanted to try a gluten-free, dairy-free version so that I could write in those adaptations. Both brownies turned out great and I had a happy household over the weekend!
Interesting enough, my hubby and I preferred the gluten-free/dairy-free ones. I am not sure if it was using the gluten free baking mix or the coconut oil, but they were a little more fudgey than the ones with all-purpose flour/butter. I cooked them the exact same amount on different days so it wasn’t like the oven was hotter for one batch. Either way you can’t lose. They are yummy, rich brownies.
I must be honest, I didn’t make them 100% dairy-free because I used regular chocolate chips because I don’t keep the others on hand.
This brownie batter is thick so it’s difficult to spread in the 13×9 pan like the original recipe states (which is odd because I did it that way years ago) so I tried them in a 9×9 pan. I can’t figure out which ones prefer. On the one hand they are easier to spread in the 9×9 pan and I do prefer thicker brownies, but on the other hand I liked the ratio of brownie to frosting in the thinner ones (the 13×9 pan).
As you can see I am torn, so you do what you want to do. Honestly they are both great options! If you do go the thicker route, they are pretty darn rich, so cut them into small pieces (or don’t!).
Mini m&ms are ideal so they don’t get in the way of cutting, but didn’t have any luck finding them (ok I only checked one store) so I had to go with regular size m&ms. You can also use fun sprinkles or other colorful candy toppers. So let’s get to the recipe. Enjoy your indulgence! At least it’s not from the box!
[Tweet “Don’t buy Little Debbie Cosmic Brownies, make them! via @nutritiouseats #splurgeworthy”]
- 1⅓ cup all-purpose flour (can sub a multi-purpose gluten free baking mix- I used a millet, sorghum, soy and brown rice blend )
- ¾ cup cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon baking power
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¾ cup sugar
- ⅔ cup packed brown sugar
- ¾ cup butter (1½ sticks), melted (for dairy free substitute coconut oil, melted)
- 1½ teaspoon instant coffee granules (or expresso powder)
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 eggs
- 2 Tablespoons water
- For ganache:
- 7 ounces bittersweet chocolate chips (for dairy free substitute nondairy chocolate chips)
- ½ cup cream (can dairy free substitute coconut cream)
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a 13x9 OR 9x9 pan with foil coating in cooking spray. Combine all dry ingredients in a small bowl (flour through salt). In a large bowl, combine melted butter (or coconut oil) with sugar. Whisk in vanilla extract, eggs and instant coffee granules. Pour dry ingredients into wet ingredients and stir until well combined. Pour batter (it will be thick) into prepared dish. Using a rubber spatula coated in cooking spray, spread batter out evenly. Bake for 17-18 minutes. Do not over bake! Check for doneness with a toothpick.
- Remove brownies to a wire rack to cool.
- Place bittersweet chocolate in a small bowl. In a small saucepan, heat cream (or coconut cream) over medium heat until bubbles start to form on the outer edges. Pour hot cream over chocolate, let sit for a minute. Stir gently until chocolate is melted. Pour ganache over brownies and smooth with a rubber spatula. Top with m&ms (minis work well). Let ganache harden before cutting (this will take a couple hours).
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Are you kidding me? I haven’t had a cosmic brownie since I was maybe 10? Now I want one…but your version!
Angela @ Happy Fit Mama recently posted..The Story of My Boston Marathon DNF
I know, doesn’t it bring back memories? I can’t believe the Little Debbie snacks still exist!
OMG, those look so good! Back in the day it was the Star Crunch or Nutty Butty for me — only I had to BEG my friends to bring an extra to share because my mom put stuff like raisins for dessert in my lunchbox
Jennifer F recently posted..5 Protein Packed Snacks + Enlightened #Giveaway
lol, that’s what my kids will probably say about me.
Wow you nailed these!! Love the colors and how fudgy they look!! YUM
Sam @ PancakeWarriors recently posted..Oven Baked Sweet Potato Fries with Chimichurri Sauce
Thanks Sam!! It had been way too long since I’ve made brownies!
These Would be perfect for oscar’s bday party. I was thinking of making a “Minecraft” looking dessert and I could totally add green m&m’s ! These look like a hit!
Oh that would be fun!
Thank you! The brownies look delicious! Can never have enough brownie recipes!
Barbara recently posted..Essential Oils – Part II
I totally agree! 😉
These look just as fudgy as I remember cosmic brownies being. I would feel much better sinking one of my teeth into yours though! Thanks for sharing!
Emily @SinfulNutrition recently posted..WIAW: Liquid Dreams
Thanks so much Emily!
Just like you, I love dessert (have a serious sweet tooth), but have barely any dessert recipes on my blog. You’re inspiring me to change that. These look amazing! We weren’t a Little Debbie family – we went Drakes and Entenmanns, but I can relate nonetheless!
Thanks Jessica! Here’s to our dessert challenge. 🙂
Cosmic Brownies were always one of my favorite after school snacks. I definitely have to make these! And I totally agree – Little Debbie snacks were the BEST! I loved them all.
Tiffany Khyla recently posted..My Journey to the (Nosebleed Section of the) ACM Awards!
Thanks Tiffany 🙂
These look heavenly to this chocolate lover! And so fudgy. Pinning!
Jenny Shea Rawn recently posted..Roasted Cauliflower with Spring Herb Pesto
Thanks so much Jenny!
Oh yum..I moved to the States when I was 11, and I was quickly introduced to Little Debbie. OH, I loved her so. Nutty Bars were hands down my fav!! Love how decadent and fudgy these brownies look! And no, I shall not cut them into smaller pieces 😉
Min recently posted..Meal Prep Friday 5.1.15
Haha, you can probably afford the extra calories. 😉 Nutty bars were so good!
Me and my family love brownies but your cosmic brownies are a huge riot among my children. They just love the decoration with the M&Ms. the taste was fantastic too. Thanks for this.
Anna T recently posted..Ultimate Fudgy Peanut Butter Brownies