How to Make Copycat Cosmic Brownies Just Like Little Debbie

If you grew up in the ’90s, then you’ll likely have fond memories of finding a Little Debbie dessert tucked inside your school lunch bag. It was a good day when I found a Star Crunch, Oatmeal Creme Pie or Cosmic Brownie (thanks, Mom!). If you’re up for a fun time in the kitchen, then try your hand at a homemade version of Cosmic Brownies. I did, and I have zero regrets.

The Importance of Baking with Kids

Kids of all ages can help in the kitchen by doing age-appropriate cooking tasks. It gives them practical experience with skills like reading, chemistry and even simple fractions. Plus, exposure to scratch cooking helps kids develop a palate and a taste for fresh, wholesome ingredients. You’ll notice that baking also teaches kids important interpersonal skills, such as communication, collaboration and sharing, following directions and patience, to name a few.

Here are some other great reasons for cooking with kids, according to HealthyChildren.org:

• “While cooking with your child, practice new vocabulary as you describe how food looks, feels and tastes. Following a recipe from start to finish helps build the skills for planning and completing projects.”
• “Cooking together and prioritizing health over the convenience of processed food are great ways to lead by example and help your children buy into a culture of wellness.”
• “Teach kids the importance of staying safe while cooking by showing them how to hold kitchen tools safely, how to use oven mitts to protect hands from heat and how to turn appliances on and off safely.”

Baking as a family will take longer than baking solo. Embrace that fact! When you do, you’ll get a lot more enjoyment out of it.

How to Make Copycat Cosmic Brownies

This brownie recipe from Deb Anderson of Joplin, Missouri is just like the classic Little Debbie dessert. All you need to do is add sprinkles!

Ingredients

• 1/3 cup butter, softened
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3 large egg whites, room temperature
• 2/3 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup baking cocoa
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• Wilton Rainbow Crunch Sprinkles

GLAZE:

• 3 to 4 teaspoons hot water
• 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 tablespoons baking cocoa
• 2/3 cup confectioners’ sugar

Instructions

Step 1:  Cream and Mix

Preheat your oven to 350° and then spray an 8-in. square baking pan with cooking spray. I recommend doing this towards the sink or an opened dishwasher so the spray doesn’t get everywhere. Then, cream the butter and sugar until it’s light and fluffy. Beat in the vanilla and egg whites, one at a time.

Editor’s Tip: I typically separate egg whites in the shell, but if that makes you too nervous, try these other methods for separating eggs. You can challenge young bakers who are 8+ to separate the egg yolks from the whites!

Next, whisk together the flour, cocoa, baking powder and salt in a separate bowl. (This is an excellent task for younger bakers.) Gradually add that to the creamed mixture.

Step 2: Bake and Wait

Pour the batter (it will be thick) into an 8-in. square baking pan. Bake for 20-25 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. You can ask kids to help you take a closer look at the toothpick.

My oven runs a little cooler so I had to keep them in there for 3 extra minutes. Once the cosmic brownies are ready to come out, place the pan on a wire rack and let them cool completely. While you’re waiting for the brownies to cool, find out if Little Debbie was a real person or not.

Step 3: Glaze and Spread

When the brownies are completely cool, it’s time for the glaze. Mix the hot water, vanilla and cocoa. Gradually beat in the confectioners’ sugar. When the glaze is smooth and glossy, pour it onto the cooled brownies. You may need to use a spatula to spread it out. Then, top it off with a healthy dose of rainbow sprinkles. Your kids will definitely want to help with this part!

Finally, cut into rectangles 1-1/2×3 inches long. Score the center so you can break off two pieces, just like you used to do with the original Cosmic Brownies. Ahh, this takes me back. But I have to admit, I like this homemade version better!

Try More Copycat Snack Cake Recipes

1 / 16

Taste of Home

Inspired By: HoHo's

Who knew something this impressive could start with a cake mix! The mini chocolate chips add a tasty crunch to each slice. —Tammy Rex, New Tripoli, Pennsylvania

Try Our Recipe for Peanut Butter-Chocolate Cake Rolls Here

Taste of Home

Inspired By: Suzy Q's

My soft, not-too-sweet chocolate cookies are filled with a heavenly cream filling. Kids of all ages devour them! Whenever my family comes to visit, these are the treats they always request. —Salvatore Bertolino, Indiana, Pennsylvania

Try Our Recipe for Sam's Chocolate Sandwich Cookies Here

Taste of Home

Inspired By: Honey Buns

I love cooking with pumpkin because it’s versatile, colorful and nutritious. Combining it with chopped apple and cider gives these glazed rolls their autumn appeal. —Jennifer Coduto, Kent, Ohio

Try Our Recipe for Autumn Sweet Rolls with Cider Glaze Here

Taste of Home

Inspired By: Cosmic Brownies

These moist and fudgy squares are bursting with such rich chocolate flavor, you'd never know they're low in fat. They're ideal for taking to bake sales and family gatherings. For holidays, I like to dress them up with colorful candy sprinkles. —Deb Anderson, Joplin, Missouri

Try Our Recipe for Chocolate-Glazed Brownies Here

Taste of Home

Inspired By: Marshmallow Pies

These treats are my family's favorite, and it seems no matter how many I make, they always disappear too soon. —D. Weaver, Ephrata, Pennsylvania

Get Recipe

Taste of Home

Inspired By: Mini Chocolate Chip Muffins

I bake a lot of different muffins, but this is the recipe I use the most. Their small size makes them difficult to resist! —Joanne Shew Chuk, St. Benedict, Saskatchewan

Try Our Recipe for Chocolate Chip Mini Muffins Here

Taste of Home

Inspired By: Hostess CupCakes

These moist chocolate cupcakes have a fun filling and shiny chocolate frosting that make them different from any other. They always disappear in a flash! —Kathy Kittell, Lenexa, Kansas

Try Our Recipe for Cream-Filled Cupcakes Here

Inspired By: Apple Fruit Pie

When I was in high school, my best friend's mother baked this mini apple pie recipe every year. I was thrilled when she shared it with me—I finally felt like an adult! —Katie Ferrier, Houston, Texas

Try Our Recipe for Hand-Held Apple Pies Here

Taste of Home

Inspired By: Oatmeal Creme Pies

These fun treats put a sweet, fluffy filling between two chewy oatmeal cookies. The old-fashioned flavor is deliciously homey—always perfect for holiday trays. —Jan Woodall, Indianapolis, Indiana

Try Our Recipe for Oatmeal Sandwich Cookies Here

Inspired By: Ding Dongs

This treat serves up appealing flavor in big fluffy wedges of chocolate and cream. It's like a giant Ho Ho snack cake. —Edna Miller, Mount Hope, Ohio

Try Our Recipe for Edna's Ho Ho Cake Here

Taste of Home

Inspired By: CoffeeCakes

I use this sweet coffee cake recipe often. It's quick and easy to make. —Blanche Whytsell, Arnoldsburg, West Virginia

Try Our Recipe for Graham Streusel Coffee Cake Here

Taste of Home

Inspired By: Jelly Creme Pies

These rich chocolate wafers are the perfect complement to the creamy filling's sweet-tart tones. Chill for up to four hours; any longer and the wafers get too soft to pick up with your hands. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Try Our Recipe for Black Forest Icebox Cookies Here

Inspired By: Snowballs

Sweeten any meal with these fun, frosted chocolate cupcakes that take just minutes to make. The finger-licking flavor packs far fewer calories and fat than traditional desserts! —Mandy Rivers, Lexington, South Carolina

Try Our Recipe for Chocolate Angel Cupcakes with Coconut Cream Frosting Here

Taste of Home

Inspired By: Chocolate Chip Creme Pies

Capture the taste of campfire s'mores in your kitchen. Graham cracker crumbs added to chocolate chip cookie dough bring out the flavor of the fireside favorite. Melting the cookies' marshmallow centers in the microwave makes them simple to assemble. —Abby Metzger, Larchwood, Iowa

Try Our Recipe for S'more Sandwich Cookies Here

Inspired By: Marshmallow Supremes

With peanut butter, chocolate and marshmallows, these treats were very popular with our three kids as they were growing up—and now I make them for our two grandchildren. They're perfect for the holidays when time is so precious. —Dody Cagenello, Simsbury, Connecticut

Try Our Recipe for Marshmallow Puffs Here

Taste of Home

Inspired By: Butterscotch TastyKake

My aunt, who was born in the 1920s, passed this recipe down to me. She made the cake from scratch from start to finish because she didn't have modern amenities to help her in the kitchen. The penuche frosting goes with the cake nicely. —Beth Vorst, Columbus Grove, Ohio

Try Our Recipe for Old-Fashioned Butterscotch Cake with Penuche Frosting Here