Healthier Cosmic Brownies (vegan & gluten free)

These homemade Healthier Cosmic Brownies are moist, nostalgic and delicious. Made with better-for-you ingredients – they are vegan, gluten-free, oil-free and refined sugar-free.

Cosmic brownies were my favorite growing up. My mom rarely let me have them, but whenever I got my hands on them, I was ecstatic. I’ve been on a nostalgic kick lately, recreating healthier versions of all of my favorite childhood snacks: Samoas, Nutter Butters, Kit Kats, Snickers, Twix… wow, naming them all I realize I was a bit of a junk food junkie lol. Well, at least now I’m indulging in healthier versions of them, right? Okay, back to these copycat cosmic brownies. They’re moist, sweet, chocolate-y and delicious.

These homemade Healthier Cosmic Brownies are not only incredibly delicious, they’re made with simple, better-for-you ingredients, so you can indulge in them without sacrificing your health goals. These brownies are vegan, gluten-free, oil-free, grain-free and refined sugar-free.

You’re probably thinking… what could these things be made from? LOL. Well, let’s get into that…

What You’ll Need To Make Healthier Cosmic Brownies

• Almond Flour – this helps create that super soft, melt-in-your-mouth texture. 
• Cocoa Powder – to add chocolate flavor.
• Cashew Butter – any nut butter will work, but I find that cashew butter has the most mild flavor so it won’t affect the taste too much, as opposed to peanut butter which would make them taste like peanuts. Make sure to use a runny, all natural nut butter.
• Applesauce – an oil-free substitute that makes these brownies moist.
• Flax Egg – this replaces the egg in traditional brownies and helps bind the ingredients together. To make a flax egg, just mix 1 tablespoon ground flaxseed meal with 2 1/2 tablespoons hot water.
• Coconut Sugar – to add some sweetness while keeping the recipe refined sugar-free.
• Maple Syrup – another all natural sweetener. 
• Vanilla Extract – to add a depth of flavor.
• Salt – just a pinch to bring out all the flavors.
• Baking Powder – to help them rise just a bit.
• Vegan Chocolate Chips – I use Hu Chocolate since it’s made with clean, organic ingredients that are vegan, gluten-free, and refined sugar-free. You can shop with my code booboo for a discount.
• Non-Dairy Milk – to make the chocolate ganache for on top of the brownies. I use soy milk, but any non-dairy milk should work.
• Sprinkles – these sprinkles are dairy-free, nut-free, gluten-free and made with all natural color.

How To Make Healthier Cosmic Brownies

1. Preheat the oven to 350F. Prepare a 7×11 or 8×8 parchment lined baking dish. Prepare the flax egg by mixing 1 tbsp of ground flaxseed with 2 1/2 tbsp hot water in a small bowl and set aside for 5 minutes.
2. In a bowl, whisk together the cashew butter, applesauce, flax egg, coconut sugar, maple syrup and vanilla extract. Stir in the almond flour, cocoa powder, baking powder and salt until combined. Transfer the mixture to the baking dish and spread out until it’s even.
3. Bake for 30 minutes. Remove from the oven and let cool completely.
4. Make the chocolate ganache frosting by adding the vegan chocolate chips and non-dairy milk to a bowl. Melt in the microwave and use a spoon to stir. Pour the frosting over the brownies and top with sprinkles. Place in the fridge to let the frosting set. Cut into squares and enjoy!

If you’re looking for a healthier twist on a beloved classic, these homemade Healthier Cosmic Brownies are the perfect choice. They are moist, delicious, and made with ingredients that you can feel good about.

Whether you’re craving a nostalgic treat or simply want to enjoy a guilt-free dessert, these moist and decadent brownies will take you on a nostalgic journey to your childhood, reminding you of the classic cosmic brownies you used to love!

What copycat nostalgic treat should I recreate next? Leave a comment below!

More Vegan and Gluten Free Recipes You’ll Love:

• Healthier Nutter Butter Cookies
• Healthy Samoas (Vegan + Gluten Free)
• Raw Snickers Bars
• Vegan Twix Bars
• Homemade Thin Mints (Vegan & Gluten Free)

If you make this recipe, please be sure to leave a comment and ★★★★★ star rating below letting me know how you liked it! This helps others find my recipes. I appreciate your support, as always. xo, Megan