Today I give you…
Fudgey chocolate brownies.
Covered in fudgey chocolate frosting…
If you couldn’t tell, the theme of today’s post is chocolate fudge.
When I think of these brownies, I think of author Judy Blume, who wrote an entire series of books about Fudge: Double Fudge, Super Fudge, and Fudge-a-Mania. I’ll never forget my excitement when my third-grade teacher announced to the class that the next book we’d be reading was called Super Fudge.
A book all about chocolate??
Alas, it was really a book about an eleven-year-old boy. Each day I read intently, waiting to get to the part about the chocolate fudge. It never came… but at some point in the series, the little boy did eat a turtle.
Yeah, not the same thing. 😕
Unlike with the books, these brownies really are all about the fudge. What you see is what you get.
Fudge!
And no turtles.
Cosmic Fudge Brownies
Brownies:
- 1/2 cup cocoa powder (40g)
- 1 cup spelt or all-purpose flour (140g) (Arrowhead Mills gf does also work.)
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 2 tsp instant coffee granules (optional)
- 1 cup xylitol or sugar (or coconut sugar) (190g)
- optional: 1 cup mini chocolate chips
- 6 tbsp silken tofu (For soy-free, you can use my black bean brownies recipe instead.)
- 2/3 cup applesauce (160g)
- 2 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract (10g)
- 1/2 cup coconut or vegetable oil (80g)
- 2 tbsp milk of choice (30g)
Frosting:
- 1/2 cup cocoa powder (40g)
- 2 tbsp pure maple syrup or agave (30g) (you can sub liquid stevia to taste)
- 1/2 cup liquid virgin coconut oil (75g)
Preheat oven to 325 and grease a 9×13 baking pan. In a large bowl, combine all brownie dry ingredients and stir well. In a separate bowl, combine all brownie liquid ingredients and stir well. Pour wet into dry and stir until evenly combined (but do not overmix), then transfer to prepared baking pan and cook 32-34 minutes. Allow to cool, and mix frosting ingredients together to form a sauce. Spread sauce over the brownies, then fridge or freeze 10-20 minutes and the sauce magically transforms into fudgey chocolate frosting! These brownies taste much richer the next day, after the flavors have had a chance to intensify.
Question of the Day:
Do you remember any of the books you read as a child?
I read all of Ann M. Martin’s Babysitter’s Club books, R.L. Stein’s Goosebumps books, and Beverly Cleary’s Ramona books, and was partial to series books. I hate when you start to develop a real relationship with a character only to have the book end.
P.S. Thanks to your feedback, the recipe page is now updated so that all recipes in a category appear on the same page.
Allie C. says
These look amazing! Just wondering about the serving size… how many brownies does it make? Thanks, Katie!
Chocolate-Covered Katie says
It makes a 9×13 pan, so it depends on how big you cut them. I think it made around 25 of the size shown in the photos, but the nutrition facts are for 20 brownies (bigger than the ones in the photos).
Erin | The Law Student's Wife says
Quick question–what size of brownie did you base your nutrition info on? (Wondering how many servings you used for the total pan)
Chocolate-Covered Katie says
20 servings – It’s listed on the “nutrition facts” page :).
Anonymous says
Oh man I hadn’t thought of those in years! I used to love ’em (even though they tasted like sugar covered plastic lol)
Kelly @ Hidden Fruits and Veggies says
I thought your black bean brownies already tasted EXACTLY like a cosmic brownie, so if you were actually trying for a cosmic browie with these it can only taste BETTER. Excited to give it a try 🙂
Olivia @ OmNom Love says
These look delicious! I have never wanted to eat my computer screen more than I have today. 😉
I love the Harry Potter series (they never get old), and I used to read the Box Car children.
Anna {Herbivore Triathlete} says
I completely agree that reading a series is so much better! I hate getting to know and love a character and not having more books to read with that character in it!
These brownies looks absolutely decadent. I was just talking to a client of mine about Cosmic brownies and how rich they are earlier this week, he he. I love how you make treats healthier.
Jill says
Oh, man! These look so good! I loved those Little Debbie Brownies growing up. Can’t wait to make these!
Michelle says
This looks incredible!
Heather says
Hi Katie,
It would be helpful if you posted the serving size info clearly on both the recipe and nutrition pages for all of your recipes, right under the recipe title perhaps. Usually the number of servings and serving sizes (i.e. 20 servings from a 9×13″ pan) are buried in the description or comments.
BTW, I loved the Babysitter’s Club and Ramona books too, but my favorite were the various American Girls series. Loved the history in those books!
Chocolate-Covered Katie says
Hi Heather,
The serving size for nutrition facts actually is stated in the nutrition facts, right under the label.
Katie @ Peace Love & Oats says
I read a LOT of books growing up, it was definitely a favorite hobby of mine. I read all the Babysitter’s Club books, and I remember another series favorite of mine was the Boxcar Children. My absolute favorite book was Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine (and I thought the book was very different from the movie that came out a few years back with Anne Hathaway).
Chocolate-Covered Katie says
That was my #1 all-time favorite book as well! I completely forgot about that… and yes, the movie just did not compare 🙁
Ashley @ My Food N Fitness Diaries says
Oh books…. I was all about The Babysitter’s Club, Nancy Drew, The Boxcar Children, and Little House on the Prairie books!
Abby @ The Frosted Vegan says
I used to LOVE eating these at lunchtime in high school! Thanks for re-creating a favorite!
Andie says
OMG!!! Katie you have NO idea how excited I am!! Little Debbie brownies have to be my biggest guilty pleasure EVER. I haven’t had one since I went vegan, so I am literally ecstatic. Thank you!!
Also, I remember reading the Fudge and Babysitter’s Club books too! Whenever someone mentions a book that I read as a child it brings back all these nostalgic memories…alas, I don’t have as much time to read anymore, but when I do, I often need suggestions because I never can decide on what to read! :p
Ali @ Peaches and Football says
I read TONS of books as a kid. I read all the American Girl books, Babysitter’s Club, Sweet Valley High, Nancy Drew, most of the Beverly Cleary books, etc…
One summer the library did a book club for kids and for every so many books you read you would earn a slice of pizza from the local pizza place. I read constantly because I wanted to get FULL pizzas. I think I ended up getting 2 full ones plus an extra slice when it was all over. Good memories 🙂
Lea @ Greens and Coffee Beans says
Mmm… these look so good! I remember eating Little Debbie’s Cosmic Brownies all the time as a kids, and while they were tasty they’re a little scary now. I’m pretty sure they could survive a nuclear holocaust!
I was really into the Little House on the Prairie as a kid, I even own the box set of books!
Jackie says
Can you provide more details about the type of tofu you used (firm, soft, light, regular, etc…)? Thanks! I really want to make these as my daughter loves Cosmic brownies and I cringe at the thought reading the ingredients and nutrituion facts…
Chocolate-Covered Katie says
You can use silken OR you can blend mori-nu silken firm with the other liquid ingredients prior to mixing.
Emily Gorman says
LOVE these brownies and Judy Blume as well! My all-time favorite books were the Babysitter’s Club 🙂
Is there a substitution for the tofu? More applesauce or something else? Thank you!!
Chocolate-Covered Katie says
A substitution is listed in the recipe ingredients 🙂
Mandie says
Hey Katie,
I used to eat Cosmic Brownies all-the-time at my grandmother’s house when I was little 🙂 But they are SO bad for you! Nice thinking to make a healthy copycat recipe!
I was wondering, would you consider these brownies more cake-y or chewy???
Thanks!
Chocolate-Covered Katie says
I guess somewhere in between!
Mandie says
Thanks, Katie!
Lindsay @ The Live-In Kitchen says
I was so excited to see these! When you had the fudge bars guest post a couple of weeks ago I thought, “those look good, but what I really want is a homemade Little Debbie fudge brownie!” You read my mind and I can’t wait to try them. Thanks!
Lisa says
These look so rich! Love how they look so pretty in the photo with the sprinkles.
I think I’ll try making these with pumpkin instead of applesauce. I have about 10 cans leftover, so hopefully it will work out just fine:)
When I was a kid, I loved Jillian Jiggs and the Pig book. Forget the name now ha.
AmAnDa says
Brownies? YESSSS PLEASE! Copycat cosmic brownies? MINNNNNNEEEEEEE!!!
RunEatRepeat says
I kinda love that they have sprinkles on them too 🙂
April says
Hi Katie! I noticed that you use spelt flour a lot in your recipes and list all-purpose as an alternative. Do you use whole spelt or white spelt? Thank you so much, these look really really delicious…
Chocolate-Covered Katie says
whole-grain
But you can use either. In my experience, white flour can almost always be substituted for ww. (Not always the other way around, though.)
April says
Oh that’s great thank you so much! 🙂 White flours don’t usually make me feel very good (I’m actually just adding spelt flour back in after testing gluten free for a long time) so I was hoping that would be your answer 🙂 I guess whole spelt flour is lighter in baked goods than whole wheat? I think I’m going to try your pop tarts soon 🙂
gayle says
Thank you for the “print recipe” button!
Jane says
I just got so excited and yelled “OH MY GOD!” so loudly my husband woke up and ran out of the bedroom to ask me what was wrong. Cosmic Brownies are one of my deep dark comfort foods and I could no longer eat them or have them in the house because my son is anaphylactic to milk. Thank you so much for this recipe!
Jenny says
These brownies look like a fantastic, basic brownie! I’d love for you to submit it to my latest Food Holiday Link Party – the theme this week is chocolate! In case you want to link up: http://www.ratetheplateutah.com/2013/02/food-holiday-link-party-chocolate-month.html Thanks!
Marisa G. says
Will Bob’s Red Mill GF Flour work?
Alanna says
It might, but I’d check some other posts for recommendations — it seems like when subbing GF flours you need to add xantham gum or something else to help bind everything together.
Speaking of different flours, I saw an email today advertising this company that sells all sorts of varieties (many GF): http://www.organicsproutedflour.net/sproutedflour.html
Might be worth checking out!
Deidre says
I love the “Little PeeWees” books, I LOVED Beverly Cleary’s Romona books as well! And my all time favorite was Charlotte’s Web, 🙂 even as a kiddo it made me cry. LOL Oh hey Katie I was wondering on your recipe page if the title “Frostings”, Would it be a good idea to add “Frostings & Nut Butters” as the title instead? LOL because for a second there I thought they were gone and didn’t know where to look, 🙂 hehe! I love this blog:D!
P.S. You’re awesome!
Chocolate-Covered Katie says
Thanks for the tip! I will see if I can change it (and if not, I will ask my internet design guru, Julie).
Nicole @ Fruit 'N' Fitness says
I love how your recipes always look so good, these look so most and pretty with the sprinkles! I think I would try using some of my espresso powder in place of coffee granules.
Tanya @ Playful and hungry says
Those look delicious! It’s almost midnight and I am craving chocolate now 😉
Bianca-Vegan Crunk says
Ooooh, those look so fudgey and delicious! I read all of the Babysitter’s Club books too….and of course, EVERYTHING by Judy Blume that I could get my hands on. Loved Are You There God, It’s Me Margaret.
Lindsey@ Dishing Up Hope says
I, too, was a book worm as a child. My nose is still in books, but I will take a break to try these!
Tami Lewis says
I really really think you should make a healthy version of the Zebra cakes!! Love them but not all the nasty processed gunk in them…haven’t even eaten one in years! Just a thought..
Torri Egan says
I would LOVE That!
Tami Lewis says
I think you should make Zebra cakes next!!
Jessica says
Yesss, I second that!! lol
Casey says
Hi Katie! Just curious: I’m not a fan of coconut (not allergic, just don’t like the taste). Is there any good/healthy substitute for coconut oil for the frosting? I made your dark chocolate raspberry fudge cake the other day, and it was good minus the coconut flavor… yuck. Not your fault, just my personal preference. 🙂 Would appreciate any insight you can give!
Alanna says
If you like nut butter, I highly recommend her Reese’s Pieces Fudge Frosting recipe!
Chocolate-Covered Katie says
I have heard that palm oil works the same. Not sure about it, though, as I’ve never tried it. You could also just melt chocolate chips and spread over top!
CC says
Sorry, just had 2 chime in…be aware though that palm oil is causing serious problems 4 the orangutan… just so u know before u go that route…
Speaking on behalf of those who can’t 4 themselves,
CC
Brandi says
Agree. Palm oil is obtained from the trees that orangutans need to live. They are dying because their habitat is being ripped fom them, so greedy companies can sell palm oil….which is also known as vegetable oil. It’s very sad.
Chocolate-Covered Katie says
Thank you both for bringing this to my attention. I had no idea it was such an issue until you mentioned it, so I did some research (from what I think are reputable sources)… and I’m pretty much appalled. Not that I’ve ever bought plain palm oil before, but I think it’s in some of the things I use on occassion (Earth Balance?). I’d be surprised if it’s true a company as vegan-friendly as EB would be taking part (which is what some of the research told me). Now I’m not sure what to believe and will have to email the company. Is there anything else I should know about the issue? I try to stay on top of environmental issues and unethical business practices, but unfortunately there are so many :(.
Anonymous says
Katie check out Animal Cruelty Exposed here on Facebook. They can answer questions. They research EVERYTHING. Unfortunately even vegan products still use questionable ingredients….pretty much it’s always about making money.
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Animal-Cruelty-Exposed/363725540304160?ref=ts&fref=ts
Marissa says
Katie,
Please let us know of your email response from Earth Balance. They need to get rid of the palm oil in their products!
Rosalie says
You could try out a refined organic coconut oil. They are neutral but still have the melting point that makes coconut oil so useful. Don’t let the connotations of “refined” turn you off–it’s not hydrogenated or anything 🙂
Casey says
Thanks Rosalie! I’ll definitely try this 🙂
LJ Briar says
I never bothered with Goosebumps and went straight to the Fear Street books. I also read a lot of Stephen King.
On the less gruesome end of the scale, I too read many of the BSC books, and tons of the Thoroughbred and Saddle Club series.
Katy @Katyskitchen says
To a fellow Katie: I LOVE your use of sprinkles and colours in that photo! I will have to try this one for sure.
Stephi says
These look so good!!! Yum…. I also read Judy Blume books as a kid.
Jennifer says
Hey Katie, I just wanted to let you know how much I love your blog!!! Not only are your recipes fabulous but I really love all your stories and commentaries you add in. I bet your as fabulous as your recipes!! :). Thank you for all the recipes! My family loves them!
Chocolate-Covered Katie says
Aw thanks, Jennifer!
Kerry says
These look so yummy AND I have all the ingredients. Happy Cheat Meal dessert for me this weekend! Thank you so much!
petrina says
To answer the question: Judy Blume, Beverly Cleary, The Encyclopedia Brown series, and just about anything else I could get my hands on! A question about the tofu, I have some mori-ni silken firm in my fridge right now, so how much would 6 tablespoons equal in terms of 1/4 of a block, 1/2 of a block, etc. Do you know? Of course I could just get out my tablespoon and measure but I wondered if there was an easier measurement. Thanks!
Chocolate-Covered Katie says
To be honest, the easiest way is to get a food scale.
But according to the package, 84 grams is 1/4 of a block, so you can use that as a reference.
petrina says
Thanks for replying! I need to get me a digital food scale for sure. I have one of those old-fashioned ones that just has a dial and is not very accurate.
Sam says
I loved the Babysitters Club and Goosebumps series too, thanks for jogging some great childhood memories!
And this looks very yummy too 🙂
Em @ Love A Latte says
Wow these look delicious!!! Love that they are vegan!
Lisa says
I liked a book called “Katie Did it” about a girl who gets blamed for everything. That book was really just a small kids book and I have a favorite cousin named Katie so I partly liked it because of that. However, when I got to about 3rd grade I liked The Chronicles of Narnia book series. All those book titles you mentioned brought back memories. I loved the Ramona books too!
Anna @ Your Healthy Place says
I love your brownie recipes, they taste just as fudgy and decadent as the real thing. I also tried your frosting shot as frosting for some healthy chocolate cupcakes I made for my Oscars party last Sunday and they were a hit!
Chocolate-Covered Katie says
I am so excited they turned out well. Thanks for making them!
Ali @ WHOLEistically Fit says
Ah, little debbie brownies. I loved those things as a child. I pinned this and am so making it! 😀
vesper says
Hello Katie! I really have enjoyed so far recipes on your blog, one little think though: I personally find the repetitive pictures of the end result a tad overwhelming. I think you could highlight your work much more by adding a couple of pics of the process and one or two of the final product. That would be a nice balance and would give an idea to your readers if the batter is too thin or too thick etc…
Chocolate-Covered Katie says
Hi Vesper,
I asked awhile back about posting “in process” photos, and the general consensus was that unless it was a super-complicated recipe, people preferred they be left out.
Sherlock says
I Agree Vesper. Would prefer to see the process myself.
Spencer says
Looks like the perfect pick me up for a rainy day! I would love to try some.
Lisa @bitesforbabies says
These look delicious…not to mention, great pictures! Did you take a photography class or learn on your own? I’m making a huge effort to improve the photos for my blog…but one can only do so much with “Photography for Dummies!” lol!
Chocolate-Covered Katie says
This made my morning :).
I’ve learned (and am still learning) mostly from experience and A LOT of practicing and reading tutorials online. I also loved the book Plate To Pixel by Helene Dujardin. I would love to go to a food photography workshop someday, but have never seen any around where I live.
Lisa @bitesforbabies says
I’m glad! I know how it feels to get positive feedback! I just started “teaching” myself but I have a long way to go. Thanks for the book tip by the way…I’m looking for it on amazon as we speak 😉
Christie says
My favorite books were anything by Beverly Cleary, and The Three Investigators series!! Brownies look yummy!
Anonymous says
Looks amazing!!
Katie, when I clicked on your e-mail, your page came up and said I was logged in as you. It shows I can go to your dashboard ect… I don’t know why this happened? I didn’t see any of your personal information or posts ect…. If I were to click your dashboard it asks for a log in, and I am not clicking any more buttons. This is your personal information. I just thought you should know, and I don’t know how many other people can see this information.
Thanks, – Jen
Jennifer @ Peanut Butter and Peppers says
Since I left the comment, it went away! Weird!! I know longer see the dashboard, ect…
Jennifer @ Peanut Butter and Peppers says
It took me to the log in screen.
Rain says
I’m confused- you put in 190g of sugar in the brownies, then more in the frosting and divided it by 20- that should be at least 10g of sugar per brownie. How did you come up with 2.1g of sugar? Are your nutrition facts based on xylitol? I think it would be helpful to state which substitution you you’re basing the facts on. Thank you!
Cindy says
Looks like 24g of sugar on my screen (per brownie). Maybe you are confusing with 21g of fat, and there is a speck on your screen making it look like 2.1 instead?
Rain says
Huh? I’m talking about your brownies and the fact that there is a cup of sugar in the recipe, not the little debbie ones:)
Rain says
I mean Katie’s. Thought she was the reply-er 😀
Chocolate-Covered Katie says
Hi Rain,
As is standard practice with calculating nutrition facts, the lower-calorie option is always used unless otherwise stated. Sorry for the confusion!
Kavli says
Looks YUM-O!! Cant wait to make them, hopefully this evening! 🙂 The pics are awesome Katie, makes me feel I could just reach out and eat them all!
As a child I used to love love love Enid Blyton books. My fave was the Magic faraway tree. And my fave part was about this magically candy (a caramel, I think), that would just grow bigger and bigger in your mouth. So big that you could not talk. And after a long time of munching on that candy, it would just go ‘pop!’ and disappear. I think the character Moonface had some. I never forget that part, cause I always wanted some of that yummy candy! 🙂
Michelle says
Love judy blame…I follow her on twitter lol even love her adult novels….
These look amazing….as all your recipes do…..
Kiran @ KiranTarun.com says
Oh my gosh! I love the frosting recipe with coconut oil. So healthy!
Megan R says
Oh my goodness! My mouth is watering!! I know what I am making tonight!! WOW! YUM! They look amazing! You are the bomb!
Ashley @ Wishes and Dishes says
These sound so good!
I read all the same books you did – Ramona, Goosebumps, Babysitter’s Club. Plus a little Sweet Valley Kids/ Sweet Valley High (the series with those twins) added in there. Does anyone else remember those? Those were the good ol’ days! 😉
chris says
The soy free version says to use black beans. Is there any way to make them gluten, soy, dairy, egg, grain, and BEAN free?
Thanks!
Jamie H says
You are my hero. I LOVED these brownies…until I was able to understand what was in them! Favorite book as a kid? Little Women! Maybe it was because it was about sisters…like my life:)
Sarah says
Ooh, these look good. 🙂 I used to love cosmic brownies as kid, and now I can make my own vegan ones!
emily says
Katie, you should make instructional videos! It would be so helpful for people who are trying to cook healthier, but stuck using traditional methods.
Amy says
Hi Katie! I have a bag of brown rice flour that I’ve yet to use….would it work in these?
And, I read Superfudge in fourth grade! 🙂
Chocolate-Covered Katie says
Sorry, I’ve not tried it.
Lauren @ Oatmeal after Spinning says
I remember my teacher reading the “Fudge” books to us in class, but I’m thinking that it was in first grade… so long ago.
My favorite books were definitely The Babysitters Club series! I owned almost the entire series and would read each one over and over again. I would stay up after midnight many nights reading, just so I could finish one as quickly as possible!
I was almost just as obsessed with Sweet Valley High (and Twins). Man, those books were the best! I’d love to go back and read some now- I’d probably have some really good laughs.
Deborah says
So, if I am using coconut oil from Trader Joe’s and it’s solid – do I melt it to get the measurement and for use in the recipe?
Chocolate-Covered Katie says
Yes, melt it first if it is not already in liquid form.
Angela says
One of my favorite picture books from when I was a kid is called Pickle Chiffon Pie (as I was typing that I went over to Amazon and bought a copy of this for my 14 month old, thanks for helping me remember that!) though as I got older and was reading longer books my favorite was Amelia Bedelia.
Alex @ Delicious-Knowledge.com says
Yes! I read all of babysitter club, goosebumps and FEAR books. Remember those? I would scare myself so much that I remember falling asleep with the lights on. Ha, I think I was in high school too 🙂 I could put fudge on anything and find it delicious, these look great!
Ilyria says
Thank you so much for posting this today, it made my day!! Now I can’t wait to go shopping and get some more applesauce and tofu so I can make these ^.^
Nicci says
I was wondering if the nutrition facts are based on xylitol or sugar and the optional mini chocolate chips? I LOVED cosmic brownies as a kid but can’t get myself to eat them. I’m going to make this recipe this weekend and really want to follow it to a T to get the same results as you.
~Megan~ says
Ohmygosh, perfect! 😀
Not to mention I cherished Every. Single. One. of those books you listed! (Same disappointment with Judy Blume, so misleading! 😉 Also loved Nancy Drew and The Boxcar Children!
Samantha says
WOW! I’M SHOCKED. I WAS SKEPTICAL… I’VE MADE TWO THINGS AND THEY’RE BOTH GREAT! Chocolate chip cookie dough dip and even the little kids approved!
Today the brownies, yummy! Only thing I’d maybe suggest for others is a little more vanilla or maybe a little less cocoa powder. (I know shame on me less chocolate, even though I love it)
Yep I’m going to be not questioning you anymore! 😉
Alyssa says
What a fun recipe! I never liked Little Debbie treats, but I may just like these 🙂
Jennifer says
Hey, Katie! Would I be able to use honey for the frosting? I don’t have maple or agave syrup.
Torri Egan says
Not if you are vegan but I used that today and I didn’t notice a problem. Just warm it up first so it’s a little looser
Shauna says
I think I’m going to cry. I love cosmic brownies SO. MUCH. This has changed my life.
Allison Day says
When I was a kid, I was obsessed with the oatmeal cream sandwich little debbies… before I knew better, of course 🙂 these are really cute. Love your recreations!
And I was definitely into Babysitters Club and Goosebumps via scholastic book orders. Loved them.
Angela K says
All right, my ultra-tight budget just might have to allow for these ingredients, because I *love* cosmic brownies, but haven’t eaten one since I started eating healthier…
As for books, I believe I consumed those even more voraciously than I did cosmic brownies, as a young girl! My favorite series were the Wayside School books, Little House, Mandie books, as well as all the series you listed. My favorite standalone book was Number the Stars — it made me wish I lived in Denmark! ^^
sandra says
I just made these for my family, ohh are they fantastic! Thanks for sharing your recipes Katie.
Bek @ Crave says
These look tasty 🙂 I remember reading those babysitter books haha!
Inez says
When using the Spelt Flour for this recipe, don’t you have to change some of the amount of some of the ingredients? Or can I just use WW Pastry Flour?
Jenn Watson says
Wow, I am a personal chef here in sunny san diego. Your site has given me good inspiration on an upcoming dinner party I am doing.
Ana says
Sorry, it’s probably written somewhere blindingly obvious, but how do you store these brownies. (They’re yummy, by the way)
queenofmumblers says
Wow Katie, these look great! I’ve made 3 batches of black bean brownies, and they were definitely a hit for my family (except for my dad, who had to wash everything :). I read a lot of Nancy Drew and the Boxcar Children, but I caught onto YA fiction really fast
Mary says
By far the best recipe on your site that I’ve tried (I’ve made a lot of your desserts), I’ve made these brownies 3 times since you posted this. Every person that has tried them has requested the recipe (even the unhealthy individuals!)….BRAVO!
Chocolate-Covered Katie says
This makes me so happy. Thank you for trying them!
Dew tinnin says
I can’t wait to try these and thanks for the reminder of my favorite books. I loved the babysitters club so much I tried to convince the adults in my life to read it. 🙂 peace.
laura says
I’m trying to find sugar free chocolate cake and I searched under sugar free, but each recipe that comes up has sugar?
Torri Egan says
All of these recipies can be sugar free. You can use stevia, agave, xylitol, or any other sweetener to replace the sugar.
Torri Egan says
Is there any way to make your recipies less rich? I love them but my family thinks they are a little too intense. Could I just decrease the cocoa ammount?
Chocolate-Covered Katie says
Depends on the recipe, I guess 😕
Torri Egan says
Did you use just coconut oil? Or something sweetened? It shouldn’t taste like coconut at all as coconut oil doesn’t taste like coconut.
Cindy says
I just wanted to let you know how grateful my 9 1/2 year old son is for you. A couple of weeks ago we decided we needed to try a gluten/dairy free diet for him. He was somewhat discouraged as he went over everything he “couldn’t” eat. I pulled up your blog, passed my iPod to him and told him to pick whatever he wanted from it. His eyes grew big as he scrolled through the pictures. After a minute or two he exclaimed, “Thank you, Katie!!!” After picking this recipe as one of the first he wanted made he held the iPod tightly and declared, “Katie, is my new best friend.” Whenever he overhears me talking to anyone about his new diet and how well he is doing he says, “Thanks to Katie!” Just thought I’d let you know you have brought happiness to one little boy, in whom you have a new admirer and best friend. 🙂 Thank you!
Chocolate-Covered Katie says
aww 🙂
Nancy says
Wow, these brownies are FABULOUS! I was expecting them to be too chewy, as that’s what has resulted from trying to sub in apple sauce, but I was surprised that it was SO moist and fudgy! I even used Truvia for the sweetener rather than sugar or xylitol, but apparently that didn’t hurt! Delicious. I didn’t make the frosting, though, but they were great even without it. That allowed me to cut them into what turned out to be (corrected for my use of Truvia rather than sugar) exactly thirty “mini” , 60-calorie brownies. Great little treat when you don’t want to “spend” a lot of calories! Thanks!!Can’t wait to have a second brownie!
Chocolate-Covered Katie says
Thank you so much for trying them!
Jenn says
Nancy- how much Truvia did you use? I can’t use xylitol and am looking for something to use as a substitute.
Nancy says
Jenn, I used about 2/3 a cup. The official “conversion” chart said to use 1/3 a cup plus 2 1/2 tablespoons of Truvia, but I just went with half a cup, so a little more than called for! I’d use a little less than 1/2 a cup if you don’t want them too sweet 🙂
hEATHER says
What is on top of the brownies, sprinkles of some sort?
Elisabetta says
Hi, I discovered your blog a few days ago and I love it! Can I ask you what could be a substitute of coconut oil? I’ve tried to use olive oil to make your 1 minute cake but I kinda could taste it and it was not the perfect option. Thanks!
Chocolate-Covered Katie says
Canola or veg oil in the one-minute chocolate cake. But only coconut oil will work for the topping of this recipe, as it hardens when cold.
Anonymous says
I saw the soy free note, but I was wondering if there were any other substitutions for the tofu rather than going for the black bean brownies. Any suggestions?
Erica says
weird. please dont take this into offence but its just that to me they look more cakey and less fudgey. are they? and which one do u think tastes better;the chocolate zucchini brownies or these ones?
tammy F says
OMG! these are amazing! I altered it a bit, I used 1/2c sugar and a 1 large banana adn I used oat flour. they were freaking amazing, my skeptical husband loved …will make again
CS says
I have been told that spelt is *NOT* gluten free.
eva says
hi Katie!
I just made these brownies in the pan you specified.they came out pretty thin. are they supposed to be like that?thanks
Unofficial CCK Helper says
Yes, they are pretty much the width of real Little Debbie brownies.
eva says
ook just making sure. they were some of the best homemade brownies I’ve ever made! great recipe 🙂
becauseHeloves! says
I think these are the best brownies on your site that I’ve made so far! And I was (and still am) obsessed with Percy Jackson and the Olympians/Heroes of Olympus series!
Kerry says
I am diabetic and have to watch my fat intake to and im so pleased to find your site and cant thankyou enough for all your hard work ! Im from the UK and books i read as a child? The Faraway Tree stories and the The Lion the witch and the wardrobe collection
coco says
I love these cosmic brownies my sister made them. they are wonderful! thanks
Elena K. says
I loved this recipe as a healthier option and i really want to try it.What can i use instead of applesauce,more sugar ?
Unofficial CCK Helper says
You can always experiment. However, Katie can only recommend what she has personally tried. But if you do experiment be sure to report back!
angie brame says
what can I use instead of tofu
Savannah_zebaker says
Dude, I like love you for all your hard work in coming up with healthy desserts. I’m a big health nut because I realize most of the crap in the store or online is completely horrible for your body. I mean to think how often you (not speaking towards anyone in general) buy stuff that tastes so heavenly only but to find out more than half the ingredients inside are the devil in disguise by being chemicals man made. I mean our bodies weren’t made to eat chemicals but natural foods such as these that you have used to create and invest time in..You have done ze impossible!! (as a French/Italian person would say because I am strangely addicted and fascinated by them, especially their food 😉 ).
Anyways, before I rant on and on about chemicals and all that shidoodle, I am a young teen who was mostly inspired by you and your inventions! I use a mixture of your recipes which actually teach me a heck of a lot about baking just by observing the tricks you use to get a certain food output (such as taste, texture and eye appeal) and that has actually influenced me to get creative (in a healthy way)! I now have a new found obsession with cooking my own recipes (healthy, duh) and one day hopefully will open a well known healthy restaurant that serves all natural/organic foods that are home grown, since I want to own a farm and restaurant (though I’m not going to talk as if a big shot because there is as much of a possibility that this won’t happen due to the way of life). And so I guess my point in all this is to say thanks and keep up the great work!
OH! AND I have a new challenge for you! 😉
Recently I have been REALLY craving all the snack cake desserts (from little Debbie and such) from when I was little, before I knew how terrible they were for you. And since ( as above) you already have the cosmic brownie healthy recipe down I was wondering if you could recreate another one of the similar snack cakes (one that I’m sure you’ll find justtttt scrumptious) into the way healthier version, since your amazing at that and you love to do it (I’m guessing) and because I lack proper ingredients such that you seem to use all the time. Ready for it?
OKAY, SNOBALLS;
A soft CHOCOLATE pastry cake (shaped much like a lava cake) filled with some sort of heavenly(deathly) cream while perfectly and most mouth watering and taste bud dancingly cushioned with a big blob of marshmallow WHICH is so deliciously decorated with lots and lots of coconut shreds (and sometimes colored).
I’d say that sounds like your type of thing, not to mention mine and probably most other peeps!
So, the question is: Will you accept the challenge or will you have to pass it on?
If you actually do I think I would seriously die and a plus to that, if you replied back I would spawn back to life and then die again because of the major overload of disbelief, excitement, and happiness. 🙂
Love you, keep up the fantastic work! ANNNND sorry for the long comment, I figured most people read/reply to those first because that person just MUST have something more important to say!!
Livia says
I just tried it out (without the frosting) and it tastes really good 🙂 I will definitely try out another recipe soon 🙂
ham says
Thank you for having this blog ! I’m so excited to try your recipes.
Lori says
What could I use instead of the tofu or black beans if not vegan or vegetarian?
Morgan Fariñas says
do u think i can sub coconut yoghurt for the tofu?
Chocolate Covered Katie says
I haven’t tried, but you can always experiment! or make these: https://chocolatecoveredkatie.com/2016/08/29/vegan-brownies-recipe-best/
Amanda says
Could I use honey as a sugar substitute?