Figuring out whether Cosmic Brownies are vegan can be challenging.
Makers of treats like brownies often mask their ingredients under vague terms such as “natural and artificial flavors.” And even if they do give you a full list of ingredients, figuring out whether they’re vegan is like deciphering a foreign language.
To ensure that you’re only consuming food that aligns with your vegan lifestyle and diet, I’ve investigated the ingredients and production process of Cosmic Brownies.
Here’s what I found.
Are Cosmic Brownies Vegan?
No. Cosmic Brownies are not vegan.
Cosmic Brownies, soft, chewy, covered in chocolate sauce, rainbow sprinkles, and chocolate chips, are made by Little Debbie. They are popular for their nostalgic taste that takes many people back to their childhoods.
Unfortunately, they are not suitable for vegans. This product contains milk products, eggs, confectioner’s glaze, and sugar. Milk and eggs are obviously non-vegan because they come from animals.
Confectioner’s glaze, or shellac, is a resin secreted by the female lac bug. It’s used to make candy and chocolate shiny.
Sugar is not vegan because it often goes through a refining process of decolorization using animal bone char, a black, granular substance that’s made from the bones of animals. Filtering sugar through this substance makes it appear whiter.
If you’re looking for a delicious vegan brownie, Cosmic Brownies are not it and you’re better off looking for vegan brownies elsewhere.
Are Cosmic Brownies Cruelty-Free?
No. Cosmic Brownies are not cruelty-free.
This product contains artificial colors (Yellow 5 Lake, Blue 2 Lake, Yellow 6 Lake, Blue 1 Lake, Red 3, Red 40) and artificial flavors. These ingredients are routinely tested on animals to assess their safety for human consumption.
Animal testing is an outdated and inhumane type of practice that only causes harm to animals. There certainly are many ways you can test the safety of ingredients without harming animals. Little Debbie should consider using these methods instead.
What Are Cosmic Brownies Made Of?
Here are the ingredients of Cosmic Brownies:
- Enriched bleached flour (wheat flour, niacin, reduced iron, thiamin mononitrate [vitamin B1], riboflavin [Vitamin B2], folic acid)
- Corn syrup
- Partially hydrogenated soybean and cottonseed oil with TBHQ to preserve flavor
- Sugar
- Dextrose
- Water
- Cocoa
- Soy flour
- Cosmic candy pieces (semi-sweet chocolate chips [sugar, chocolate, cocoa butter, soy lecithin, vanilla], sugar, cornstarch, titanium dioxide, confectioner’s glaze, carnauba wax, Yellow 5 Lake, Blue 2 Lake, Yellow 6 Lake, Blue 1 Lake, Red 3, milk)
- High fructose corn syrup
- Whey
- Eggs
- Emulsifiers (soy lecithin, polysorbate 60, mono- and diglycerides)
- Cornstarch
- Salt
- Leavening (sodium aluminum phosphate, baking soda)
- Colors (caramel color, red 40)
- Soybean oil
- Natural and artificial flavors
- Palm and palm kernel oil
- Egg whites
- Modified cornstarch
- Citric acid
- Sorbic acid (to retain freshness)
Let’s break down each ingredient of Cosmic Brownies:
Enriched bleached flour
Enriched bleached flour is milled from wheat and then bleached with chlorine gas or benzoyl peroxide. The flour is then enriched with nutrients: niacin, reduced iron, thiamin mononitrate [vitamin B1], riboflavin [Vitamin B2], and folic acid. Enriched bleached flour, even with all its added nutrients, is vegan.
Corn syrup
Corn syrup is made by breaking down cornstarch into glucose. It is used as a sweetener to keep food moist. Corn syrup is a vegan-friendly ingredient.
Partially hydrogenated soybean and cottonseed oil with TBHQ to preserve flavor
Partially hydrogenated oils are made by adding hydrogen to vegetable oils to make them solid at room temperature. TBHQ is a petroleum-based preservative. Partially hydrogenated soybean and cottonseed oil with TBHQ are vegan-friendly ingredients.
Sugar
Sugar is made from either sugar beets or sugarcane. Sugar often goes through a process of decolorizing using bone char, making sugar a non-vegan ingredient. Bone char is a black, granular substance that’s made from the bones of animals.
Dextrose
Dextrose is a simple sugar made from cornstarch. Dextrose is a vegan-friendly ingredient.
Water
Water is used to dissolve other ingredients and does not affect the final product. Water is a vegan-friendly ingredient.
Cocoa
Cocoa is from the cacao bean. Cocoa powder is usually vegan friendly.
Soy flour
Soy flour is a powder made from soybeans. It’s used as a protein supplement or as a thickener. Soy flour is vegan friendly.
Cosmic candy pieces
The cosmic candy pieces in Cosmic Brownies are not vegan because they contain milk and sugar. These candy pieces are not vegan friendly.
High fructose corn syrup
High fructose corn syrup is made from corn and is used as a sweetener. High fructose corn syrup is a vegan-friendly ingredient.
Whey
Whey is a by-product of cheese making. It’s made from the solid parts of milk that are left over after the curds are removed. Whey is a dairy product. It is not vegan.
Eggs
Eggs are an animal product that comes from chickens. Eggs are not vegan.
Soy lecithin
Soy lecithin is a fat derived from soybeans. It’s used as an emulsifier to keep ingredients from separating. Soy lecithin is a vegan-friendly ingredient.
Polysorbate 60
Polysorbate 60 is sorbitol and fatty acid ester that’s used as an emulsifier. Polysorbate 60 is a vegan-friendly ingredient.
Mono- and diglycerides
Mono- and diglycerides are fats that are used as emulsifiers. Mono- and diglycerides can be from plants but are more commonly from animals. Mono- and diglycerides are not vegan-friendly ingredients.
Cornstarch
Cornstarch is a powder made from the endosperm of the corn kernel. It’s used as a thickener. Cornstarch is a vegan-friendly ingredient.
Salt
Salt is a mineral that’s used to add flavor or as a preservative. Salt is vegan.
Leavening (sodium aluminum phosphate, baking soda)
Sodium aluminum phosphate and baking soda are leavening agents that are used in baking. Sodium aluminum phosphate and baking soda are both vegan-friendly ingredients.
Caramel color
Caramel color is made by heating carbohydrates with or without acids or alkalis. Caramel color is a vegan-friendly ingredient.
Red 40
Red 40 is a red food coloring made from coal tar or petroleum. Red 40 is a vegan-friendly ingredient.
Soybean oil
Soybean oil is made from soybeans and is used as cooking oil or in processed foods. Soybean oil is a vegan ingredient.
Natural and artificial flavors
Natural and artificial flavors are used to add flavor to food. Natural flavors may be vegan-friendly depending on their source. Artificial flavors are synthetic and usually vegan.
Palm and palm kernel oils
Palm and palm kernel oils are made from the fruit of the palm tree. Palm and palm kernel oils are vegan-friendly ingredients.
Egg whites
Egg whites are an animal product. They comprise the part of an egg that is not yolk. Egg whites are not vegan.
Modified cornstarch
Modified cornstarch is cornstarch that’s been treated to change its properties. Modified cornstarch is a vegan-friendly ingredient.
Citric acid
Citric acid is a sour-tasting compound that’s found in fruits and vegetables. Citric acid is a vegan ingredient.
Sorbic acid (to retain freshness)
Sorbic acid is a preservative that’s used to prevent the growth of mold and bacteria. Sorbic acid is vegan.
Why Aren’t Cosmic Brownies Vegan?
Cosmic Brownies are not vegan because they contain several animal products and by-products, such as milk, eggs, shellac, mono- and diglycerides, and sugar. Cosmic Brownies are far from vegan friendly. If you’re looking for vegan-friendly brownies, there are many other brands that make them.
Are Little Debbie Zebra Cakes Vegan?
No. This product is not vegan. It contains egg and milk products.
Zebra Cakes are not safe for vegan consumption.
Are Little Debbie Swiss Rolls Vegan?
No. This product is not vegan. It contains eggs and milk products.
Swiss Rolls are not safe for vegan consumption.
Are Little Debbie Sandwich Cookies Oatmeal Creme Pies Vegan?
No. This product is not vegan. It contains sugar, eggs, and milk, all animal products.
Oatmeal Creme Pies are not safe for vegan consumption.
Are Little Debbie Honey Buns Breakfast Pastries Vegan?
No. This product is not vegan. It contains sugar, honey, egg, and milk, all animal products.
Honey Buns are not safe for vegan consumption.
Are Little Debbie Nutty Buddy Wafer Bars Vegan?
No. This product is not vegan. It contains sugar, egg, and milk products.
Nutty Buddy Wafer Bars are not safe for vegan consumption.
Vegan Alternatives to Cosmic Brownies
Looking for some brownies to take to your next potluck or picnic but don’t want to contribute to the animal product industry? Have no fear, there are plenty of delicious vegan brownies on the market. Here are some of my favorites:
- Lenny & Larry’s Complete Cookie-fied Bar Cookies & Creme
- Navitas Organics Superfood Power Snacks, Cacao Goji
- NuGo Fiber d’Lish Chocolate Brownie
Or you can also try making your own at home with a good brownie recipe. Try one of these:
- Best Ever Vegan Brownies by Nora Cooks
- The Best Fudgy Vegan Brownies by Karissa’s Vegan Kitchen
- Vegan Brownies by All Recipes
These recipes are all vegan-friendly and delicious! They can be easily made with just a few simple ingredients. They are usually made by substituting all the non-vegan with vegan ingredients such as coconut milk or almond milk, almond butter, vanilla extract, coconut sugar, cacao powder, maple syrup, coconut oil, vegan chocolate or dark chocolate chips, almond flour, and even vegan sprinkles to make a wonderful vegan brownie.
Final Words
So, there you have it! Comic Brownies are not vegan. Unfortunately, this means that those with a vegan lifestyle will have to find another kind of cosmic brownie to satisfy their sweet tooths.
But on the bright side, there are still plenty of delicious vegan-friendly brownies out there for you to choose from! So, go ahead and indulge in some deliciousness without worry! After all, life’s too short to deprive yourself of good food.