Peppermint Cosmic Brownies

If you grew up eating Little Debbie Cosmic Brownies, you would love this peppermint version I have created just in time for the holidays!  These super fudgy, dense, and chocolaty brownies are super rich and topped off with chocolate ganache icing, holiday sprinkles, and peppermint candy pieces.  Santa and your kids are going to LOVE this Christmas-themed classic on Christmas eve!

If you have nostalgia for cosmic brownies, you need to make this Christmas version of Cosmic brownies with peppermint and candies.  These homemade cosmic brownies are super rich and probably taste better than store-bought.  These will become one of your favorite holiday desserts.  Cosmic brownies are traditionally made with colorful candies on top.  I opted for peppermint candies and Christmas sprinkles instead.

Ingredients

All-purpose flour

cocoa powder

cornstarch – cornstarch improves the texture of these brownies, giving them structure.

sugar

brown sugar

One teaspoon salt

eggs

corn syrup- corn syrup adds a chewy texture to these brownies.

peppermint extract

Chocolate Ganache Frosting 

Whipping Cream

Semi-sweet chocolate chips

Butter

Garnish

Peppermint Candies or Candy Canes

Christmas Sprinkles

Equipment:

8×8 baking pan lined with parchment paper

medium bowl

hand mixer or a stand mixer

These copycat cosmic brownies have easy instructions, but it’s essential to follow these steps carefully so your brownies will turn out just right.  Here are a few important notes:

• You must line your pan with parchment paper or grease it with cooking spray.  This will help your brownies stay intact.  These are super fudgy, and you will want to be careful when removing them from the pan.
• You must let these cool in the fridge for at least an hour or cool on at room temperature for 3 hours before cutting these into squares.
• I would avoid using the microwave when making the chocolate frosting.

You will love the flavor of this copycat childhood favorite.  These brownies will become one of your favorite holiday treats!

Instructions 

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees 
2. Mix softened butter, sugars, eggs, corn syrup, and peppermint extract in a mixing bowl. 
3. Mix dry ingredients: flour, cornstarch, cocoa, and salt in a second bowl or measuring cup. 
4. Pour brownie batter mixture into an 8×8 prepared pan. Use a spatula to get all the brownies better out of the bowl.  
5. Bake for 20-22 minutes 
6. While the brownies are in the oven, prepare the frosting.  Over medium heat in a small saucepan, while stirring, melt heavy cream, butter, chocolate chips, and peppermint extract in a saucepan.  Whisk together.  
7. Remove the brownies from the oven and immediately pour the chocolate frosting over them brownies.  
8. Top evenly with sprinkles and chopped-up peppermint candies immediately following adding the frosting. 
9. Let the brownies cool completely in the fridge before cutting them into squares.  
10. Serve.

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Peppermint Cosmic Brownies

Servings 8

Ingredients

Brownies

• 1/2 cup salted butter softened
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• Two large eggs
• One tablespoon corn syrup
• 1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract
• 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
• One tablespoon cornstarch
• 1/2 cup cocoa powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

Chocolate Ganache Frosting

• 1/2 cup whipping cream heavy cream
• One tablespoon butter
• One cup chocolate chips
• 1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract

Garnish

• Christmas Sprinkles
• Crushed Peppermint Candies

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

2. Mix softened butter, sugars, eggs, corn syrup, and peppermint extract in a mixing bowl.

3. Mix flour, cornstarch, cocoa, and salt in a second bowl or measuring cup.

4. Pour batter into an 8x8 lined baking pan.

5. Bake for 20-22 minutes

6. While the brownies are in the oven, prepare the frosting.  Over medium heat, melt whipping cream, butter, chocolate chips, and peppermint extract in a saucepan.

7. Remove the brownies from the oven and immediately pour the frosting over the brownies. 

8. Top evenly with sprinkles and chopped-up peppermint candies immediately following adding the frosting.

9. Let the brownies cool completely in the fridge before cutting them into squares.

10. Serve.

These brownies are super rich, so I recommend cutting them into small squares. With these in hand, these will be show-stopping when you show up to your holiday party. These b brownies taste amazing and are super moist, but they will remind your friends and family of their childhood.   One thing I love about Cosmic Brownies is how awesome the bright sprinkles look against the dark chocolate ganache frosting.

How to Crush Peppermint Candies 

Place peppermint candies into a freezer bag and hit with a wooden rolling pin until they are crushed to the texture you prefer. You can see candy canes for this recipe as well.  

I would love to hear how these Peppermint Cosmic Brownies turn out for you! Please comment below this blog post or tag me on social media and let me know how this recipe turned out for you! You can find me on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.