Cosmic Brownies

BROWNIES: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper.

In the bowl of a stand mixer or in a large bowl with an electric hand mixer, cream together the partially melted butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar for a full 5 minutes on the highest speed. The mixture will be extremely light in color and very fluffy.

Add the eggs, corn syrup and vanilla. Beat again on the highest speed for an additional 5 minutes.

Add the flour, cocoa powder, cornstarch, salt, and soda to the bowl. Beat until everything is just combined. Using a spatula, fold the mixture by hand a few times to make sure that everything is well combined.

Transfer the brownie batter to the prepared 9×13 pan. Spread the mixture until it is smooth and even.

Bake for 25-30 minutes. The brownies will rise significantly, the edges will begin to crack a little. Test the center of the brownies with a toothpick, if a few moist crumbs come up on the toothpick they are ready to come out of the oven.

Immediately upon taking the brownies out of the oven, drop the pan onto a cutting board a few times to let the excess air out of the center of the brownies. This will cause the brownies to deflate and give us that extra fudgy texture. While the brownies are cooling, make the frosting.

FUDGE FROSTING: In a large bowl, cream together the butter and cream cheese until smooth scraping the sides of the bowl as needed. Add in the cocoa powder and a teaspoon or two of milk to help bring the mixture together. Beat on the lowest speed, to avoid adding extra air to the frosting.

Next, add in the confectioners’ sugar, again adding a little bit of milk, as needed to bring the mixture together while mixing on the lowest speed.

Add the vanilla and mix until combined. The frosting should be thick, creamy, and dark in color.

Scoop dollops of the frosting onto the top of the brownies. The heat from the brownies will slightly melt the frosting making it easier to spread. Spread the frosting evenly over the brownies.

Return the brownies to the warm (but off) oven for 3-5 minutes to melt the frosting onto the brownies (this will help get that silky smooth appearance on top of the frosting)

Immediately sprinkle the candy-coated chocolate chips on top of the frosting. Allow the brownies to cool completely in the pan before cutting.

Store brownies at room temperature or in the refrigerator in an airtight container.