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These cosmic brownies are a copycat version of a lunchbox classic! These brownies are egg-free, grain-free, paleo, and can be made AIP.

cosmic brownies

What are cosmic brownies?

Cosmic brownies are such a nostalgic childhood favorite! These little Debbie brand brownies were packed in single servings, which made them a popular lunchbox staple. These brownies were topped with a ganache topping and colorful candy-coated chocolate chips.

These gluten-free cosmic brownies are better for you copycat!

Brownies aren’t a kale salad with salmon, let’s be honest… but they can be made with better ingredients and allergen-free. Here’s what makes these brownies different…

They’re grain-free and nut-free

These brownies are made with tigernut flour and tapioca starch, rather than something like almond flour to keep them nut-free. I haven’t tried other flours in this recipe so I can’t guarantee any swaps would yield the same results

They’re easy to make egg-free

You can either use a real egg, or a gelatin egg if you don’t tolerate eggs. I haven’t tried to make these with a flax egg.

They’re free of artificial food colors

Here’s what I use instead of artificially colored candy…

What can you top these brownies with?

These brownies are traditionally topped with colorful candy-coated chocolate chips, but I decided to use unreal candies. These aren’t paleo, but they’re gluten-free and free of artificial colors and flavors. You can also use sprinkles that you tolerate, or simply leave off the candy topping and just stick with the brownies and ganache.

cosmic brownies

How to make gluten-free cosmic brownies

  • Make the batter: In a large mixing bowl, combine the tigernut flour, tapioca starch, cocoa powder, and baking soda and mix to combine. Stir in the melted coconut oil, and maple syrup into the batter. For the gelatin egg (sub 1 regular egg if tolerated) add the water to a small saucepot and slowly pour over the 1 tbsp gelatin.  Allow the mixture to rest over 2-3 minutes until hardened. Place the pot on the stove and turn in on low heat. Remove from heat once the mixture turns to liquid. Vigorously whisk the gelatin egg until it becomes frothy. Add the gelatin egg to the mixture immediately and mix to combine.
  • Bake: Pour the batter into the baking pan, using a rubber spatula or the back of a spoon to evenly spread the batter. Bake for 25 minutes, or until brownies are baked through. Remove from the oven and allow to cool.
  • Make the ganache: Using a double boiler, melt the chocolate and coconut cream together, stirring until melted and well incorporated. Carefully pour the ganache over the brownies. Top the brownies with colored candy topping of choice, or omit if desired. Allow the ganache to harden in the fridge for 20-30 minutes before slicing into 9 brownies.

The Ingredients

Tigernut flour & tapioca starch

I have not tried other flours and cannot guarantee they would yield the same results.

Cocoa powder (sub carob for AIP)

Dairy-free chocolate chips and coconut cream

These are the ingredients for the ganache. I like to use enjoy life chocolate chips! You can also use homemade carob chips for AIP.

cosmic brownies

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Cosmic Brownies (Gluten-free, Paleo option)

★★★★★

5 from 1 reviews
  • Author: Michelle
  • Total Time: 45 minutes
  • Yield: 9 servings 1x
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Description

These cosmic brownies are a copycat version of a lunchbox classic! These brownies are egg-free, grain-free, paleo, and can be made AIP.

Ingredients

Units Scale

For the Brownies

  • 1 cup tigernut flour
  • 1/4 cup tapioca starch
  • 2 tbsp cocoa powder (sub carob powder for AIP)
  • 1/4 tsp baking soda
  • 1/2 cup coconut oil, melted
  • 1/4 cup + 1 tbsp maple syrup

For the gelatin egg (or sub 1 regular egg)

For the ganache frosting & topping

  • 1 cup dairy-free chocolate chips (sub homemade carob chips for AIP)
  • 1/2 cup coconut cream
  • 1/3 cup unreal candy or colored candies or sprinkles of choice (if tolerated. Omit for AIP or if not tolerated)

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350 F and line an 8×8 baking pan with parchment paper that’s lightly greased with coconut oil.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the tigernut flour, tapioca starch, cocoa powder, and baking soda and mix to combine.
  3. Stir in the melted coconut oil, and maple syrup into the batter.
  4. For the gelatin egg (sub 1 regular egg if tolerated) add the water to a small sauce pot and slowly pour over the 1 tbsp gelatin.  Allow the mixture to rest over 2-3 minutes until hardened. Place the pot on the stove and turn in on low heat. Remove from heat once the mixture turns to liquid. Vigorously whisk the gelatin egg until it becomes frothy. Add the gelatin egg to the mixture immediately and mix to combine.
  5. Pour the batter into the baking pan, using a rubber spatula or the back of a spoon to evenly spread the batter. Bake for 25 minutes, or until brownies are baked through. Remove from the oven and allow to cool.

For the ganache & topping

  1. Using a double boiler, melt the chocolate and coconut cream together, stirring until melted and well incorporated.
  2. Carefully pour the ganache over the brownies. Top the brownies with colored candy topping of choice, or omit if desired. Allow the ganache to harden in the fridge for 20-30 minutes before slicing into 9 brownies.

Notes

All nutritional information are estimations and will vary. Estimations do not include optional ingredients.

  • Prep Time: 15
  • Cook Time: 30
  • Category: Treats
  • Method: Baked
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 serving
  • Calories: 375
  • Fat: 21.5g
  • Carbohydrates: 29.2g
  • Fiber: 2.6g
  • Protein: 4.6g

Cosmic Brownies