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Cosmic Brownie Cookies – Mel’s Kitchen Cafe

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These cosmic brownie cookies are both cute and delicious! A fudgy ultra-chocolatey cookie is topped with ganache and sprinkled with rainbow chips.

A play on the iconic boxed cosmic brownies from the grocery store, these cookies are 100X more delicious (and very easy to make!).

Several frosted chocolate cookies on white parchment paper topped with rainbow chips.Several frosted chocolate cookies on white parchment paper topped with rainbow chips.

The cookies for these cosmic brownie cookies have intense chocolate flavor and a deliciously rich and fudgy texture.

This is accomplished in two ways:

  1. A soft and chewy ultra-chocolate cookie dough is enriched with a high ratio of brown sugar to granulated sugar AND involves a hefty amount of cocoa powder to really dial in the chocolate flavor
  2. The cookies get a slight press right out of the oven (more on this below).

For fail proof results, here’s a reminder that investing in a kitchen scale {aff. link} and weighing your dry ingredients will elevate your baking in so many ways and ensure better outcomes. Always use the weight measures given in a specific recipe versus converting the volume measures to weights with varying online sources since that recipe has been tested with those specific weight amounts.

Why Press the Cookies After Baking?

These cookies will likely come out of the oven slightly domed. That’s a good thing, because we don’t want the cookies to spread and flatten into thin wafers. There would be no joy in that.

Pressing the cookies immediately out of the oven ensures an extra fudgy middle AND creates a surface that is easier to frost and sprinkle.

We aren’t pressing the cookies to smithereens here – just lightly flattening the domed top into an even plateau so the cookies form thick discs of chocolatey goodness.

Cosmic Brownie Frosting

The topping for these decadent chocolate cookies is a simple chocolate ganache. Ganache is just a fancy word for chocolate that is combined with hot cream and stirred until thick and glossy.

Chocolate ganache is very, very rich. And very, very good.

(Spoiler alert: it’s delicious on about a million other things, too, so if you have leftover ganache from this recipe, never fear – slather it on graham crackers or a banana or eat it by the spoonful.)

Once the cookies have cooled, spread a dollop of chocolate ganache evenly across the top, and before the ganache sets, sprinkle with rainbow candy coated chips.

Where to Get Rainbow Candy Coated Chips

Rainbow candy coated chips are the classic colorful garnish on cosmic brownies, and they are so fun and perfect for these cookies, too.

The rainbow chips can easily be found online. I get them here {aff. link}. If the ones at the link aren’t available, just search “rainbow baking chips” online or on Amazon.

If you don’t have rainbow chips on hand, here are a few ideas for what to use instead:

Please Try These Cookies Chilled

These cosmic brownie cookies are exceptionally delicious eaten while the chocolate ganache is still silky and just a bit drippy or once the ganache and fudgy cookie center has set a bit.

But they are phenomenal stored in the refrigerator and eaten chilled. Like, just trust me on this and promise you’ll experience at least one of these cookies that way. SO GOOD.


Brian’s favorite grocery store treat in the history of ever is a cosmic brownie. He has a hidden stash in the pantry. But even he admits that these cosmic brownie cookies are world’s better than his storebought crush.

They are fun and festive for just about any occasion and decadent and delicious enough to fill a need-it-now chocolate craving! I hope you love them…they have quickly become one of my favorite cookies of all time!

Two cosmic brownie cookie halves stacked on each other on piece of white parchment paper.Two cosmic brownie cookie halves stacked on each other on piece of white parchment paper.

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One chocolate cookie spread with chocolate ganache and sprinkled with rainbow chips on white parchment paper.One chocolate cookie spread with chocolate ganache and sprinkled with rainbow chips on white parchment paper.

Cosmic Brownie Cookies

  • 1 cup (227 g) butter, softened to room temperature (not too soft!)
  • 1 ½ cups (318 g) packed light brown sugar
  • ½ cup (106 g) granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • ¾ teaspoon table salt
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • 2 large (100 g) eggs
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • 2 ¾ cups (390 g) all-purpose flour
  • cup (57 g) Dutch-process or natural, unsweetened cocoa powder

Topping:

  • ½ cup heavy cream
  • 1 ½ cups (255 g) semisweet chocolate chips
  • Rainbow candy coated mini chocolate chips (see note)

Prevent your screen from going dark

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (see note!). Line half sheet pans with parchment paper; set aside.

  • For the cookies, in a bowl with an electric handheld mixer or in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream together the butter, brown sugar, granulated sugar, baking powder, salt and baking soda until the mixture is light and fluffy, 1 to 2 minutes.

  • Add the eggs and vanilla. Mix until well-combined, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed.

  • Add the flour and cocoa powder. Mix until evenly combined and no dry streaks remain.

  • Scoop the cookie dough into 2-tablespoon size balls and roll until smooth (see note for larger cookies). Place several inches apart on the prepared baking sheets.

  • Bake for 10 to 11 minutes until the cookies are lightly puffed and set around the edges but still soft in the center.

  • Optional: in my ovens, the cookies are slightly domed on top after baking. Immediately out of the oven, I use a flat-bottomed glass to gently press to an even thickness. Don’t smash them flat! Just press the domed top so the cookie is still thick but even across the top. This makes frosting the cookies easier (and prettier) and also gives the cookie an extra fudgy center.

  • Let the cookies cool for several minutes on the baking pans and then remove them to a cooling rack to cool completely.

  • For the ganache, place the chocolate chips in a medium bowl.

  • Heat the heavy cream until steaming and bubbles form around the edges. Pour the cream over the chocolate chips, pressing the chocolate chips to submerge them in the cream. Let sit for 2 to 3 minutes until the chocolate chips are melted and then stir or whisk until the mixture is glossy and smooth.

  • Let the ganache cool for 5 to 10 minutes to thicken slightly.

  • Frost the cooled cookies with a dollop of ganache and sprinkle with rainbow candy coated chips.

  • Serve immediately while the ganache is soft or let the cookies sit at room temperature for an hour or so until the ganache sets. The cookies are delicious served at room temperature and terribly delicious served chilled.

Rainbow Chips: these are the rainbow chips I use for the *cosmic brownie* vibe (if the ones at the link aren’t available, just search “rainbow baking chips” online). Mini M&Ms, flat colorful sprinkles, crips chocolate pearls or other colorful sprinkles can be used as a substitute for the rainbow chips.  
Baking Temperature: if your oven bakes cool (or your cookies tend to flatten), increase the baking temperature to 375 degrees F and bake for about a minute less (keep an eye on the cookies so they don’t over bake). 
Size of Cookies: I use a #40 medium cookie scoop to portion out about 2 tablespoons of dough per cookie. These cookies can be made larger with a #20 cookie scoop. Bake for 1 to 2 minutes longer for larger cookies.
 

Serving: 1 cookie, Calories: 189kcal, Carbohydrates: 24g, Protein: 2g, Fat: 10g, Saturated Fat: 6g, Cholesterol: 28mg, Sodium: 125mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 15g

Recipe Source: from Mel’s Kitchen Cafe

Disclaimer: I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for me to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Food

Chicken Souvlaki Bowls – Mel’s Kitchen Cafe

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These tasty chicken souvlaki bowls are loaded with lemon chicken skewers, roasted veggies, tzatziki, hummus, feta, and garlic rice!

This is the meal of my dreams.

Top down view of white bowl with metal skewer with chicken pieces, roasted squash, zucchini, red onions and bell peppers, cherry tomatoes, rice, hummus and tzatziki sauce.

Chicken Souvlaki Marinade

There is a lot going on in these chicken souvlaki bowls! (In a good way.) However, with a few minutes of prep time, they come together quickly and easily, especially if you make use of a few store bought hacks, which we’ll get to in a minute.

First, the chicken!

Chicken souvlaki is a Greek-inspired dish that involves marinating chicken in a mixture of lemon juice, olive oil, garlic, oregano, and a few other simple ingredients.

The chicken is cut into bite-size pieces, threaded onto skewers and grilled. It is flavorful, juicy, and so, so good!

Toppings and Sauces for Chicken Souvlaki Bowls

The sky is the limit for how and what to serve the tender chicken souvlaki with! The recipe includes my favorite variation:

  • Garlic butter rice (hoo-boy, so good)
  • Roasted zucchini, bell peppers and red onions (can easily cook the veggies in an air fryer – details below ⬇️)
  • Tzatziki sauce
  • Hummus
  • Crumbled feta
  • Flatbread
  • Other toppings: cherry tomatoes, avocados, etc

I’ve included homemade recipes in the notes of the recipe for tzatziki and hummus, but let me tell you, these are two optimal opportunities to let a store bought grab save you some time (and there are some delicious options for both sauces out there in the wild).

White bowl with metal skewer with chicken pieces, roasted squash, zucchini, red onions and bell peppers, cherry tomatoes, rice, hummus and tzatziki sauce.White bowl with metal skewer with chicken pieces, roasted squash, zucchini, red onions and bell peppers, cherry tomatoes, rice, hummus and tzatziki sauce.

Change up the toppings to your liking. Add, subtract, delete, multiply. Whatever it takes to honor your taste buds and make you excited about dinner.

These bowls are only as good as the stuff you pile in there! So follow your heart, and they will be DELICIOUS.

Greek-inspired meals are my jam. I love the flavors. I love the freshness. I love the flatbread and feta that almost always (should) accompany. I love all of it.

These chicken souvlaki bowls are right up there with some of my favorite Greek meals ever! They are most definitely “last meal” type of yummy.

Don’t let the long list of components put you off; it’s a simple meal with tons of flavor that comes together quickly with a bit of prep and planning. I promise you’ll be so, so glad you made them!

Fork piercing bite of chicken, roasted veggies hummus and tzatziki.Fork piercing bite of chicken, roasted veggies hummus and tzatziki.

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White bowl with metal skewer with chicken pieces, roasted squash, zucchini, red onions and bell peppers, cherry tomatoes, rice, hummus and tzatziki sauce.White bowl with metal skewer with chicken pieces, roasted squash, zucchini, red onions and bell peppers, cherry tomatoes, rice, hummus and tzatziki sauce.

Chicken Souvlaki Bowls

Chicken:

  • ¼ cup olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 2 cloves garlic, finely minced
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 ½ to 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces

Rice + Veggies:

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 small zucchini or yellow squash (or a combo), diced
  • 1 large bell pepper, cored and diced
  • 1 medium red onion, cut into 1/2- to 1-inch pieces
  • Salt and pepper
  • Hot, cooked rice, for serving (optional – see note for my fave garlic rice recipe)

Toppings + Sauce Ideas:

  • Tzatziki, store bought or homemade (see note)
  • Hummus, store bought or homemade (see note)
  • Crumbled feta cheese
  • Pickled red onions
  • Diced avocados
  • Diced tomatoes
  • Pita or flatbread, to serve alongside (see note)

Prevent your screen from going dark

  • For the chicken, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, red wine vinegar, oregano, garlic and salt. Place the chicken in a dish or resealable bag. Pour the marinade over the chicken, toss to coat, cover (or seal the bag), and refrigerate for two hours or up to 8 hours.

  • Thread the chicken pieces onto skewers. Grill over medium-high heat, flipping once, until the chicken is cooked through, 6 to 8 minutes. Tent the chicken skewers with foil and let rest for 5 to 7 minutes before serving.

  • For the veggies, preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Toss the vegetables with olive oil and sprinkle lightly with salt and pepper. Arrange in a single layer on a half sheet pan. Roast in the oven for 15 to 20 minutes until golden and crisp tender. (See note for air fryer instructions.)

  • Slide the chicken pieces off the skewers. Serve the chicken with rice, roasted veggies, and any or all of the sauce and topping suggestions.

Veggies: change up the veggies however you like – many different vegetables would work here: broccoli, cauliflower, mushrooms, etc. Rather than cooking them on the stovetop, the vegetables can be tossed with olive oil, salt and pepper and roasted in the oven (400 degrees for 15 minutes) or cooked in an air fryer (400 degrees for 10 to 15 minutes). 
Rice: this garlic butter rice is fantastic in these chicken souvlaki bowls. Start the rice before putting the chicken on the grill to maximize time.
Tzatziki: the tzatziki sauce recipe on this post is an easy homemade option. 
Hummus: homemade hummus recipe here
Flatbread: several homemade recipes here – flatbread, easy yogurt flatbread, sourdough flatbread, homemade pita bread

Serving: 1 serving (includes chicken and vegetables), Calories: 272kcal, Carbohydrates: 5g, Protein: 25g, Fat: 17g, Saturated Fat: 3g, Cholesterol: 73mg, Sodium: 525mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 3g

Disclaimer: I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for me to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

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Science of cooking: the secret life of the rising cakes!

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You must be wondering why I am writing this. I am not an ingredient, nor something you enjoy munching on, but guess what? I am the one who knows all the secrets! I watch all your batter rise into cake and cookie dough, becoming crispy and golden. Nobody knows the details as much as I do now, do they?

Meet Oven Microwave!

Meet Oven Microwave!
| Photo Credit:
Made with Google AI

“Hey, my name is Oven Microwave. I come from a family of the best bakers in the world, and everybody adores my cooking skills.”

Have you ever wondered how the liquid batter becomes all fluffy, soft and delicious after hanging out with me? It’s simple science! I have the ability to trigger several reactions in the matter, which helps them get a makeover. Let’s dive into the science of baking! The ingredients responsible

As I said, my warmth and skills trigger the makeover; however, it is the ingredients you put in your batter that let me do the same. When you bake a cake, the batter absorbs the heat produced by the oven, causing chemical changes to the molecular structure of the batter. All the ingredients react differently to the heat in an oven; this will change the structure of the cake.

What all do we need to make a cake?

A basic vanilla cake has flour, eggs, sugar, butter, baking powder, baking soda, vanilla or flavoured essence and milk. This will keep changing according to the kind of cake you are making. 

Wheat flour, the starchy white flour commonly used in baking, contains the proteins glutenin and gliadin. When you mix the flour with water, a reaction occurs that binds glutenin and gliadin together to create gluten. Gluten forms in long, stretchy strands that stick together, which helps the batter expand better while getting baked.

The batter itself contains leavening agents like baking powder or baking soda. Both baking powder and baking soda emit carbon dioxide gas when reacting with the other ingredients when heated. These very bubbles of carbon dioxide get trapped in the batter as you stir. Then, as the batter absorbs heat inside the oven, the bubbles of carbon dioxide gas heat up and expand. The expanding bubbles of gas push the batter up and out, causing the cake to expand. Baking soda needs an acid to react and produce CO₂, while baking powder contains both a base (like baking soda) and an acid, allowing it to react with moisture or heat.

That sweet, toasted crust is also the result of a chemical reaction between sugars and proteins called the Maillard reaction. When the baking temperature reaches around 150 degrees Celsius, the sugar mixed into the batter reacts with the amino acids (molecules that combine to form proteins) from the eggs, butter, and gluten. Both the proteins and the sugars break apart and recombine, forming new molecules that give the cake its toasty aroma and rich, golden brown colour. 

With all these reactions happening and heat emitted by me fastening them, the cake rises to the glorious form you love gobbling up. 

niranjana.ps@thehindu.co.in

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Food

Perfect Ricotta Gnocchi Recipe

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I can’t stop making ricotta gnocchi, and the moment you realize how easy and delicious they are, I don’t think you will be able to stop, either! This recipe is a keeper!

Ricotta Gnocchi

Making ricotta gnocchi for the first time made me feel like a total rockstar! It’s one of those recipes that seems almost too easy. You can’t help but wonder, ‘Is that really it?’ And honestly, yes, it’s genuinely so simple, not to mention it turns out just as well as our beloved potato gnocchi recipe!

Ricotta makes gnocchi unbelievably light, fluffy, and almost cloud-like! I love it SO much! About 20 minutes stand between you and the most delicious homemade gnocchi. You’ll make our simple dough, roll it into ropes, and quickly cut it into little squares. Then, you only need 5 minutes to cook them! I genuinely cannot wait for you to try this recipe!

Key Ingredients

  • Flour: You can use either all-purpose or “00” flour. Many traditional Italian recipes call for “00” flour, but don’t stress if you don’t have it. All-purpose works perfectly well. If you buy “00” flour and have some leftover, I also use it to make homemade pasta and pizza dough.
  • Ricotta: This is the star of our recipe, so use the highest quality you can find. Whole milk is a must for this one, and we want it to be thick. If your ricotta seems watery, add it to a fine mesh strainer and let it sit for 10 minutes to drain any excess water.
  • Egg: One egg helps our dough come together, adds a bit of fat, and keeps it light and fluffy.
  • Parmesan: For the best flavor, use Parmigiano-Reggiano and finely grate it yourself. Pre-grated cheese doesn’t melt as well and won’t be as fine.
  • Lemon: This is optional, but I love adding a little finely grated lemon zest to my ricotta gnocchi dough. If you aren’t into it or don’t have a lemon, don’t worry, the gnocchi will still be excellent without it. As a substitute, you can add finely chopped fresh herbs (like basil, dill, or parsley).

How to Make Ricotta Gnocchi

I’ve made this ricotta gnocchi so many times! It has become one of our absolute favorite go-to recipes. Trust me. It’s incredibly easy to make. Ricotta gnocchi dough comes together in about 20 minutes!

You stir the dough ingredients together with a spoon, and then form it into a rectangle to cut the dough into 4 equal(ish) pieces. Then, use your childhood play dough skills and roll them into ropes. From there, cut into little squares. At this point, you can cook them or freeze them (freezing tips are in the recipe).

How to Make Ricotta Gnocchi: Cutting into squares

My favorite way to cook ricotta gnocchi is to boil them in salted water (just like homemade pasta). It only takes 2 to 3 minutes. Then, toss them into a skillet with melted butter to get them a little crispy around the edges.

How to cook ricotta gnocchi: toasting them in butter in a skilletHow to cook ricotta gnocchi: toasting them in butter in a skillet

You can serve them like this with some extra cheese or toss them in your favorite sauce. My favorites are my quick marinara, slightly more decadent red pasta sauce, and basil pesto.

Ricotta GnocchiRicotta Gnocchi

Perfect Ricotta Gnocchi

  • PREP
  • COOK
  • TOTAL

Easily create restaurant-quality ricotta gnocchi at home. The dough comes together in under twenty minutes, allowing you to cook it immediately or freeze for later. Serve the gnocchi plain with olive oil, parmesan cheese, and herbs, or elevate it with a buttery crust and light marinara sauce. Follow the instructions below for making the dough, cooking, and freezing.

Makes 4 servings

You Will Need

3/4 cup (98g) all-purpose flour, plus more for baking sheet and workbench

1 ounce (28g) Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, finely grated, about 1/3 cup, plus more for serving

2 teaspoons finely grated lemon zest

1 cup (250g) whole milk ricotta cheese

1 large egg

Salt for cooking

2 tablespoons butter, optional for cooking

2 cups warmed marinara sauce, optional for serving

Directions

    1Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and dust with 1 to 2 tablespoons of flour.

    2Make gnocchi dough: Mix 3/4 cup of flour, 1 ounce of finely grated parmesan cheese, and 2 teaspoons finely grated lemon zest in a large bowl until well blended.

    3Make a well in the center of the flour mixture, and then add 1 cup of ricotta cheese and 1 egg. Using a wooden spoon, stir until the dough comes together. The dough should come together within 20 to 30 strokes of your spoon. Be careful not to overwork the dough to keep the gnocchi light when cooked.

    4Cut the gnocchi: Transfer the dough to a well-floured work bench and pat it together. Shape into a rectangle, then cut into 4 even pieces. If the dough is tacky, add a little more flour.

    5Gently roll each piece into a 12-inch long rope about 3/4-inch thick, adding more flour as necessary to prevent sticking.

    6Cut the ropes into 3/4-inch pieces, then transfer to the prepared baking sheet with flour. Shimmy the baking sheet so that the flour lightly coats each piece. Cook gnocchi or freeze for later (see freezing tips below).How to Make Ricotta GnocchiHow to Make Ricotta Gnocchi

    7Cook gnocchi: Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Add gnocchi and cook for 2 to 3 minutes or until the gnocchi starts to float to the top. As they finish cooking, use a slotted spoon to remove from the water.

    8If serving with butter and marinara sauce, while the gnocchi cook, melt 2 tablespoons of butter in a wide skillet over medium heat. When the butter is bubbling, add the cooked gnocchi. Cook, shaking the pan occasionally, until the gnocchi has browned on all sides, about 3 minutes. Toss with warmed marinara sauce and serve topped with parmesan cheese.

Adam and Joanne’s Tips

  • To freeze ricotta gnocchi: Place a baking sheet with gnocchi into the freezer and freeze for 1 hour or until the individual pieces are hard. Transfer the semi-frozen gnocchi to airtight freezer-friendly bags. Keep in the freezer for up to 3 months. When you are ready to cook, remove it from the freezer and cook it from frozen using the directions above.How to freeze gnocchiHow to freeze gnocchi
  • This recipe has been inspired by Michael Symon.
  • The nutrition facts provided below are estimates.

Nutrition Per Serving
Serving Size
1/4 of the recipe
/
Calories
357
/
Total Fat
19g
/
Saturated Fat
11g
/
Cholesterol
102mg
/
Sodium
218mg
/
Carbohydrate
30g
/
Dietary Fiber
3g
/
Total Sugars
7g
/
Protein
16g


AUTHOR:

Joanne Gallagher


Adam and Joanne of Inspired Taste

We’re Adam and Joanne, a couple passionate about cooking and sharing delicious, reliable recipes since 2009. Our goal? To inspire you to get in the kitchen and confidently cook fresh and flavorful meals.More About Us

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