These Ganache-Stuffed Cosmic Brownie Cookies are everything I love about a nostalgic treat with a decadent twist. Each cookie features a chewy, chocolatey brownie exterior and a rich, creamy ganache surprise inside, finished with a cheerful sprinkle topping that brings out the kid in me.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
I love how these cookies balance texture and flavor—crispy edges, fudgy centers, and that luscious pocket of ganache in the middle. They remind me of the classic cosmic brownies I used to eat, but in a more grown-up, indulgent cookie form. Whether I want to impress guests or just enjoy a cozy moment at home, these cookies never disappoint.
Ingredients
(Here’s a tip: Check out the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
For the Ganache:
- 3.5 oz good quality chocolate (I use a mix of 35% milk and 57% semisweet), finely chopped
- ¼ cup heavy cream
For the Cookies:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 6 tablespoons Dutch-process cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- 4 oz semisweet chocolate (50-60%)
- ¾ cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs, at room temperature
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- Rainbow bit chips or other sprinkles
Directions
- To make the ganache, I start by placing chopped chocolate in a bowl. I heat the cream just until it simmers, then pour it over the chocolate. After sitting for 30 seconds, I whisk it slowly until smooth. I let the ganache cool and thicken to a peanut butter-like consistency.
- I pipe or spoon small mounds of ganache onto a parchment-lined tray—about ½ tablespoon each—and freeze them until solid, usually 30 minutes.
- For the cookies, I whisk together flour, cocoa, baking soda, and salt. Then I melt the semisweet chocolate and let it cool.
- In my mixer, I beat the butter and sugars until fluffy. I add eggs one at a time, then vanilla, followed by the melted chocolate. I slowly add the dry ingredients and mix until just combined.
- I chill the dough for about 30 minutes until it’s firm enough to shape.
- To assemble, I preheat my oven to 350°F and line baking sheets with parchment. I divide the dough into small balls, flatten two for each cookie, sandwich a frozen ganache disc between them, and seal the edges. I press the tops into sprinkles and place them on the baking sheet.
- I bake for 9–11 minutes until set and puffed. While still warm, I swirl a cookie cutter around each to make them perfectly round. After 10 minutes, I transfer them to a rack to cool.
Servings and Timing
- Servings: 24 cookies
- Prep time: 30 minutes
- Chill time: 30–60 minutes
- Cook time: 10 minutes
- Total time: Around 2 hours
Variations
- I like swapping milk chocolate for all semisweet or even dark chocolate when I want a deeper cocoa flavor.
- For a holiday twist, I use themed sprinkles.
- If I don’t feel like stuffing, I skip the ganache and just make brownie cookies—they’re still amazing.
Storage/Reheating
- I store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
- For longer storage, I freeze the unbaked, stuffed dough balls. I bake them straight from frozen, adding a couple of extra minutes to the bake time.
- Reheating baked cookies for 10–15 seconds in the microwave gives the ganache that freshly melted feel.
FAQs
How do I keep the ganache from leaking?
I make sure the ganache is completely frozen and fully enclosed in dough before baking. I press the edges well to seal.
Can I make these ahead?
Absolutely. I make the ganache and cookie dough a day in advance and assemble the cookies right before baking.
Do I need Dutch-process cocoa?
I prefer Dutch-process for the rich, smooth flavor, but if I only have natural cocoa, I still use it—just expect a slightly different taste and texture.
Can I skip the sprinkles?
Sure. Sometimes I go sprinkle-free if I want a more grown-up look or swap them for mini chocolate chips.
How do I make them perfectly round?
As soon as they come out of the oven, I gently swirl a round cutter around each cookie to shape them neatly.
Conclusion
These Ganache-Stuffed Cosmic Brownie Cookies are the kind of treat I keep coming back to. They’re rich, chewy, fun to make, and even more fun to eat. Whether I bake them for a party or just a quiet afternoon indulgence, they always hit the spot.
Print
Ganache-Stuffed Cosmic Brownie Cookies
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours
- Yield: 24 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Ganache-Stuffed Cosmic Brownie Cookies are nostalgic treats with a gourmet twist, featuring fudgy brownie-like cookies filled with smooth chocolate ganache and topped with colorful sprinkles.
Ingredients
- 3.5 oz good quality chocolate (mix of 35% milk and 57% semisweet), finely chopped
- ¼ cup heavy cream
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 6 tablespoons Dutch-process cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- 4 oz semisweet chocolate (50-60%)
- ¾ cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs, at room temperature
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- Rainbow bit chips or other sprinkles
Instructions
- Place chopped chocolate in a bowl. Heat cream until it simmers, then pour over the chocolate. Let sit for 30 seconds, then whisk until smooth. Let ganache cool and thicken to peanut butter consistency.
- Pipe or spoon ½ tablespoon mounds of ganache onto a parchment-lined tray and freeze until solid, about 30 minutes.
- Whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. Melt semisweet chocolate and let cool.
- In a mixer, beat butter and sugars until fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, then vanilla and melted chocolate. Mix in dry ingredients until just combined.
- Chill dough for 30 minutes until firm enough to shape.
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment. Divide dough into balls, flatten two for each cookie, sandwich a frozen ganache disc between them, and seal edges. Press tops into sprinkles.
- Bake for 9–11 minutes until set and puffed. While warm, swirl a cookie cutter around each for a perfect shape. Let cool on a rack after 10 minutes.
Notes
- Use fully frozen ganache and seal cookies well to prevent leakage.
- Chill dough for easier shaping.
- Customize with different chocolates or themed sprinkles.
- Swirl cookies with a cutter right after baking for perfect rounds.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 90mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 27g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 35mg