Cosmic Brownie Lush

This nostalgic cosmic brownie lush recipe is easy to make at home with a fudgy brownie layer, rich pudding, and chocolate ganache topping with rainbow chocolate chips.

Take homemade cosmic brownies to the next level – turn them into the old-fashioned delight dessert aka lush. It is basically a layered cake with all the crowd-pleasing textures and lots of chocolate flavors.

My trick to make this cosmic brownie lush dessert ultra-rich and fast is to use brownie mix and pudding mix to prepare the layers. And my best tip is to never skip the chilling if you want a perfectly set and indulgent sweet treat.

Thanks to colorful sprinkles or chips, it will be a great (and stupid simple) dessert for any celebration. This copycat recipe (or inspired-by recipe) would be great for a bake sale or other fun event.

If you love the looks and flavors, you should also try my Cosmic brownie cookies.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Layers of delicious goodness that bring back all the memories.
• It is like copycat Cosmic Brownies from Little Debbie taken to another level. If you also think that LD brownies taste dry and flavorless, you’re not alone.
• Healthier than any store-bought cosmic brownie lush or brownies: no additives, corn syrup, or preservatives.
• Minimal ingredients and simple instructions.
• Great for parties – a single recipe makes a whopping 12 portions of the delight dessert.

Ingredients Notes

The dessert has layers, but don’t let that intimidate you, they are all super easy to whip up and require basic ingredients you can find at any grocery store. The full list and exact measurements are in the recipe card at the end of the post.

Brownie Batter

• Brownie mix + eggs, oil, and water the box mix calls for. You can, of course, make the brownie layer following your favorite recipe if you have all the ingredients on hand. I love these condensed milk brownies with chocolate bars, melted butter, condensed milk, granulated sugar, cocoa powder, eggs, flour, and vanilla. Add brown sugar if you want a chewy brownie texture and more caramel taste.

Pudding Layer

• Softened cream cheese that comes in bricks.
• Chocolate instant pudding mix. Do not prepare it! We will use it as dry ingredients.
• Cold milk. Use rich, full-fat milk for the best results.

Chocolate Ganache

• Sweetened condensed milk. Some people use heavy cream for making ganache but I love decadent desserts so I use sweetened condensed milk.
• Semi-sweet chocolate chips or dark chocolate chips depending on your preferences.

Decorate

• Rainbow chocolate chips or sprinkles.

Kitchen Equipment

• 9×13 baking pan with parchment paper
• Large bowl
• Stand mixer
• Microwave-safe bowl – medium bowl
• Rubber spatula
• Offset spatula (easier to spread chocolate ganache with)
• Plastic wrap for storing

How To Make Cosmic Brownie Lush

1: Bake The Brownie

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Prepare the brownie batter according to the box directions, and spread evenly in the prepared pan.
3. Bake for about 20-25 minutes (as box instructions say) or until the toothpick test returns clean.
4. Once the brownies are baked, let them sit to cool to room temperature before adding the additional layers.
5. Once cooled completely, prepare the topping.

2: Prepare The Pudding

1. Beat the cream cheese at high speed in the bowl of a stand mixer. 
2. Combine the pudding mix and cold milk in a small bowl and whisk well.
3. Beat the pudding into the whipped cream cheese.
4. Fold in ¼ cup of the rainbow chips.

3: Layer The Pudding

Spread the mixture over the top of the cooled brownie layer. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to let the pudding set. Meanwhile, prepare the ganache.

4: Prepare Ganache

1. Combine the sweetened condensed milk and chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl.
2. Microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring in between each interval, until melted and smooth.

5: Assemble

1. Pour the ganache over the top of the pudding layer.
2. Add the remaining rainbow chocolate chips to the top.
3. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours before serving. When done chilling, slice in the pan and serve with a cup of milk.

Storage

Store homemade cosmic brownies lush in an airtight container in the fridge for 1 week.

Lush desserts freeze well for up to 3 months. Only thaw slices you’re going to eat.

Substitutions & Variations

• You can top the dessert with some rainbow sprinkles or colorful M&Ms instead of chocolate chips. Not a fan of sprinkles? Add some sliced fresh strawberries or other berries on top.
• Feel free to make the brownies from scratch and fold in some chocolate chips in the brownie batter too.
• Try adding vanilla extract to the batter.
• Try adding goodies to the top of the brownies such as Oreo cookies, rainbow chip sprinkles, a chopped chocolate bar, semisweet chocolate, mini m&m, and more.
• Switch it up and add the mix-ins to the middle of the brownies.
• Change the brownie mix and do dark chocolate brownies with a rich chocolate flavor and a chewy texture.

Popular Questions

Why Are Cosmic Brownies So Dense?

Cosmic brownies are dense yet moist and fudgy because they have more fats in the ingredients. When you use brownie boxed mix, they can taste more cakey and when you add more melted chocolate, they will be denser and fudgier. 

If you love this easy dessert recipe, you’re going to love these other treat ideas too. Please click each link below to find the easy, printable recipe!

More Great Cosmic Recipes

Cosmic Brownie Cookies

Cosmic Brownies

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