If you’re looking to treat yourself to something truly out-of-this-world, let me introduce you to the irresistible delight that is the Cosmic Brownie Donuts Recipe. These donuts are a heavenly fusion of rich, fudgy brownie texture wrapped in the perfect cakey donut form, sprinkled with colorful candy-coated chocolate chips that give every bite a burst of fun and flavor. Trust me, once you try these cosmic beauties, they’ll quickly become your new favorite way to enjoy the best of brownies and donuts all at once.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Getting your ingredients right is the first cosmic step that ensures these brownie donuts come out just perfect. The blend of classic baking essentials like flour and sugar provides the structure and sweetness, while cocoa powder delivers that deep chocolate punch. The eggs, butter, and milk work together to create a moist, tender crumb, and the rainbow candy-coated chocolate chips bring that iconic, playful sparkle and extra chocolatey crunch that makes these donuts truly cosmic.
- 2 cups flour: The foundation that gives your donuts structure and lightness.
- 3/4 cup sugar: Balances the bitterness of cocoa and sweetens every bite perfectly.
- 1/2 cup unsweetened dark cocoa powder: Packs intense rich chocolate flavor that’s the star of the show.
- 1 teaspoon baking powder: Helps your donuts rise and become wonderfully fluffy.
- 1 teaspoon baking soda: Works with baking powder to ensure light texture and even rise.
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt: Enhances all the chocolatey goodness and balances sweetness.
- 1 cup whole milk: Adds moisture and contributes to a tender crumb.
- 2 large eggs: Bind everything together and add richness.
- 4 tablespoons unsalted melted butter: Provides buttery flavor and moistness.
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract: Adds warmth and roundness to the flavor profile.
- 1 large disposable piping bag: For neatly piping batter into your donut pan.
- 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips: Melts into the batter for delightful pockets of chocolate.
- 1/3 cup heavy whipping cream: Used for making the luscious chocolate ganache glaze.
- 1 cup rainbow candy coated chocolate chips: Adds a crunchy, colorful cosmic sprinkle topping.
How to Make Cosmic Brownie Donuts Recipe
Step 1: Mix the Dry Ingredients
Start by whisking together the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and kosher salt in a large mixing bowl. This dry mix will bring all the base flavors together and ensure the cocoa is evenly distributed, which is essential for that unmistakable rich chocolate taste in every bite.
Step 2: Combine the Wet Ingredients
In a separate bowl, beat the eggs until slightly frothy, then add the milk, melted butter, and vanilla extract. Mixing the wet ingredients separately before incorporating them into the dry mix will help create a luxuriously smooth batter that’s easy to pipe and bakes with a perfect fudgy-cakey texture.
Step 3: Blend Wet and Dry Ingredients
Pour the wet ingredients into the bowl with the dry ingredients and gently fold everything together until just combined. Be careful not to over-mix here; a few small lumps are totally okay. Finally, fold in the semi-sweet chocolate chips for those gooey, melty chocolate pockets that elevate your Cosmic Brownie Donuts Recipe to a whole new level.
Step 4: Pipe and Bake the Donuts
Fill your large disposable piping bag with the batter and pipe it evenly into a lightly greased donut pan, filling each cavity about three-quarters full. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for about 10 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out with just a few moist crumbs. The donuts will come out soft, tender, and packed with chocolaty goodness.
Step 5: Make the Ganache and Decorate
While the donuts bake, warm the heavy whipping cream until just simmering and pour it over the rainbow candy coated chocolate chips in a heatproof bowl. Let it sit for a minute, then stir carefully until smooth and glossy. Dip the donut tops into this ganache and immediately sprinkle with more rainbow candy pieces for that iconic cosmic finish full of color and crunch.
How to Serve Cosmic Brownie Donuts Recipe
Garnishes
Don’t be shy with garnishes! A sprinkle of extra rainbow candy coated chocolate chips adds a joyful crunch and pops of color that make these donuts feel festive and special. You can even add mini edible stars or a dusting of powdered sugar for an extra touch of cosmic magic.
Side Dishes
Cosmic Brownie Donuts go beautifully with a tall glass of cold milk, a rich cup of coffee, or a creamy hot chocolate. For brunch or dessert parties, pairing them with fresh berries or a scoop of vanilla ice cream balances the deep chocolate flavors and elevates the whole experience.
Creative Ways to Present
Try stacking a few Cosmic Brownie Donuts on a colorful cake stand surrounded by sprinkles and tiny edible glitter stars for an eye-catching display. You could also serve them on a dark slate board paired with different flavored ganaches, inviting your friends to mix and match their toppings, keeping the celebration cosmic and interactive.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have leftovers from your Cosmic Brownie Donuts Recipe extravaganza, simply place them in an airtight container at room temperature. They will stay fresh and moist for up to 2 days — perfect if you want to savor them slowly or share with friends over coffee the next morning.
Freezing
These donuts freeze beautifully! Wrap each donut individually in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe bag. When stored this way, they can last up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature or overnight in the fridge for a quick indulgent treat anytime the craving hits.
Reheating
To enjoy the best texture, warm your Cosmic Brownie Donuts gently in a microwave for 15-20 seconds or pop them in a preheated 300°F oven for about 5 minutes. This refreshes the fudgy softness and gives that just-made feel to every single bite.
FAQs
Can I use regular chocolate chips instead of semi-sweet?
Absolutely! While semi-sweet chocolate chips provide a nice balance of sweetness, you can use milk chocolate or dark chocolate chips depending on your preference. Just keep in mind that milk chocolate makes the donuts sweeter, while dark chocolate amps up the richness.
Is it necessary to use a piping bag for the batter?
Using a piping bag definitely helps get a neat, even fill in the donut pan, which means your Cosmic Brownie Donuts will bake uniformly and look beautiful. However, you can also spoon the batter carefully into the pan, just try to avoid spilling too much to keep the donut edges clean.
Can I make these donuts dairy-free?
Yes! Substitute the whole milk for your favorite plant-based milk like almond or oat milk and use dairy-free butter alternatives. Just note that the texture might be slightly different, but the chocolatey flavor will still shine.
How do I know when the donuts are done baking?
Use a toothpick: insert it into a donut, and if it comes out with a few moist crumbs (not wet batter), they’re ready. Since these are brownie-style, a bit of moisture inside is actually perfect to keep them fudgy rather than cakey.
Can I add other mix-ins like nuts or white chocolate chips?
Definitely! Chopped nuts, white chocolate chips, or even dried fruit can add interesting textures and flavors. Just fold them in gently with the semi-sweet chocolate chips before piping the batter into your donut pan.
Final Thoughts
Now that you have the Cosmic Brownie Donuts Recipe in your culinary toolkit, there’s no excuse not to bring a little cosmic joy into your kitchen. These donuts are fun, flavorful, and downright addictive — perfect for sharing or keeping all to yourself. So grab your ingredients, fire up the oven, and prepare for a delicious adventure that’s just as delightful to make as it is to eat!
Print
Cosmic Brownie Donuts Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 12 donuts
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Cosmic Brownie Donuts combine the rich, fudgy flavor of classic brownies with the light, fluffy texture of donuts. Topped with a glossy chocolate glaze and colorful rainbow candy-coated chocolate chips, these donuts are perfect for a fun and indulgent treat that’s out of this world.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 2 cups All-Purpose Flour
- 3/4 cup Sugar
- 1/2 cup Unsweetened Dark Cocoa Powder
- 1 tsp Baking Powder
- 1 tsp Baking Soda
- 1 tsp Kosher Salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup Whole Milk
- 2 Large Eggs
- 4 tbsp Unsalted Butter, melted
- 2 tsp Pure Vanilla Extract
Chocolate Glaze
- 1/2 cup Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips
- 1/3 cup Heavy Whipping Cream
Topping
- 1 cup Rainbow Candy-Coated Chocolate Chips
Equipment
- 1 large disposable piping bag
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Batter: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease or spray a donut pan. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and kosher salt until well combined.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk the whole milk, eggs, melted butter, and vanilla extract until smooth and fully incorporated.
- Combine Batter: Gradually pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients, mixing gently until just combined and no large lumps remain. Be careful not to overmix to keep the donuts tender.
- Fill Donut Pan: Transfer the batter into the disposable piping bag. Pipe the batter evenly into the donut pan cavities, filling each about 2/3 full to allow room for rising.
- Bake Donuts: Bake in the preheated oven for approximately 10 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the donuts comes out mostly clean with a few moist crumbs. Remove from oven and allow donuts to cool in the pan for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Prepare Chocolate Glaze: In a small saucepan, heat the heavy whipping cream until it just begins to simmer. Pour the hot cream over the semi-sweet chocolate chips in a heatproof bowl. Let sit for 2 minutes, then stir until smooth and glossy.
- Glaze Donuts: Dip the cooled donuts into the chocolate glaze, allowing excess to drip off. Place the glazed donuts on a rack or parchment paper.
- Add Toppings: Immediately sprinkle the rainbow candy-coated chocolate chips over the wet glaze before it sets to create a colorful, cosmic effect.
- Set and Serve: Allow the glaze to set at room temperature for about 15-20 minutes. Serve fresh and enjoy your cosmic brownie donuts!
Notes
- Make sure not to overmix the batter to avoid dense donuts.
- Donuts are best enjoyed the same day for optimal freshness and texture.
- Use a piping bag for easy and mess-free batter transfer into the donut pan.
- You can substitute whole milk with any milk alternative if desired.
- If you don’t have a donut pan, use a muffin pan but note the shape will be different.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.
