These fudgy Homemade Vegan Cosmic Brownies will take you back to your childhood but are completely gluten-free and vegan. Topped with rainbow sprinkles for an out-of-this-world dessert.
Nostalgic desserts can be any number of things to different people.
But for those that grew up with cosmic brownies in their lunchbox, this copycat cosmic brownie recipe will take you back!
What are Cosmic Brownies?
Little Debbie brand introduced this chewy brownie with fudge icing in 1999. Inspired by the cosmic bowling trend of the time, the galactic treat is topped with rainbow candy-coated chocolate chips.
Cosmic Brownies Ingredients
While the original Little Debbie treat contains gluten and dairy, this fudge-frosted brownie recipe is made without either!
So, take a look at what you will need:
- All-natural almond butter
- Unsweetened cocoa powder
- Ground flaxseed
- Maple syrup
- Coconut sugar
- Vanilla extract
- Dairy-free chocolate chips
- Almond milk
How to Make Vegan Gluten-Free Brownies
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Line an 8x8 square baking pan with parchment paper. Prep flax eggs.
- Combine almond butter, maple syrup, flax eggs, and vanilla extract in a medium bowl with an electric mixer.
- Add coconut sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt and mix until combined.
- Transfer batter to prepared baking pan and spread into an even layer.
- Bake for 30 to 35 minutes until a toothpick comes out mostly clean.
- Remove from oven, place pan on a wire rack to cool completely.
- Melt chocolate chips and almond milk in a medium bowl in the microwave.
- Stir the melted chocolate mixture until a smooth, creamy ganache is achieved.
- Pour ganache over the top of cooled brownies. Top with sprinkles.
- Refrigerate for at least one hour until the ganache has been set.
- Slice into bars.
Tips for this Recipe
There are a few things to note that will help in making these gluten-free dairy-free brownies.
- To ensure that the oils in the all-natural almond butter have been well mixed, use the electric mixer to integrate before adding other ingredients. No need to take the extra messy step of mixing in the jar!
- Many sprinkles are not gluten-free and vegan. This birthday party sprinkles mix is both and has cute mini stars! If you are not vegan and only need a gluten-free option, these rainbow chocolate bits look like classic cosmic brownie candies!
- For clean brownie slices, cut in one single motion. Clean the knife with a damp cloth after each cut.
More Gluten-Free Copycat Recipes
Gluten-Free Vegan Thin Mint Cookies
Homemade Vegan Cosmic Brownies
These fudgy Homemade Vegan Cosmic Brownies will take you back to your childhood but are completely gluten-free and vegan. Topped with rainbow sprinkles for an out-of-this-world dessert.
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Servings: 13
Calories: 390kcal
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons ground flaxseed + 6 tablespoons water
- 16 oz all-natural almond butter
- ¼ cup maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon water
- ½ cup (80g) coconut sugar
- 5 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
Dairy-Free Chocolate Ganache
- 1 ½ cups dairy-free chocolate chips
- ½ cup unsweetened almond milk
- ¼ cup rainbow sprinkles or chips
Instructions
- Combine ground flaxseed and 6 tablespoons water in a small bowl or glass. Set aside for 3-4 minutes to thicken.
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Grease an 8x8 square baking pan with cooking spray, then line with two pieces of parchment paper so that there are "parchment handles" on all four sides.
- Add almond butter to a medium bowl. Beat with electric mixer so that the natural oil has been thoroughly mixed in. Then add maple syrup, vanilla extract, flax eggs, and tablespoon of water. Beat again to combine. Add coconut sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda and salt and mix until combined.
- Transfer batter to prepared baking pan and spread into an even layer. Batter will be thick and sticky. Sprinkle a little almond flour on your hands or lightly wet hands to help with stickiness. Spread into batter into an even layer with rubber spatula or an extra piece of parchment paper. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes until a toothpick comes out mostly clean.
- Remove from oven, place pan on a wire rack to cool completely.
- Once the brownies have cooled, prepare the ganache. Place chocolate chips and almond milk in a microwaveable bowl. Microwave for 30 intervals, stirring after each, until most of the chips have melted. Stir until remaining chips have melted and ganache is smooth.
- Pour ganache over cooled brownies and spread evenly with a spatula. Top with rainbow sprinkles or candies.Place in the refrigerator and allow to set for at least one hour. When set, transfer brownies to a cutting board using the parchment handles. Cut into slices (see tips below).
- Store cosmic brownies in an airtight container for 3-4 days.
Notes
Where to find rainbow candies and sprinkles: Many sprinkles are not gluten-free and vegan. This birthday party sprinkles mix used in the photos is both and has cute mini stars! If you are not vegan and only need a gluten-free option, these rainbow chocolate bits look like classic cosmic brownie candies!
Slicing cosmic brownies: For clean brownie slices, cut with a large knife in one single motion. Clean the knife with a damp cloth after each cut.
Adapted from my Vegan Tahini Brownies.
Nutrition
Calories: 390kcal | Carbohydrates: 36g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 27g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 12g | Sodium: 121mg | Potassium: 313mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 24g | Vitamin A: 1IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 172mg | Iron: 3mg
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Sarah
My kids are going to gobble these up!
Kim
These were a huge hit! So yummy!
Tessa
So glad you enjoyed them!!
Brynne
I mean, what's not to love about these - hit with the kids and adults.
Tessa
Thanks, Brynne!
Liz
Okay these are so pretty! Love this as a healthy alternative to Little Debbie!
Tessa
Thank you, Liz!
Laura
Great recipe! I feel less guilty eating several of these.
Tessa
Thanks, Laura!!