Crumbl Oreo Brownie Copycat Recipe: Master This Beloved Dessert at Home with Ease
In the vibrant world of gourmet cookies and desserts, Crumbl has undeniably carved out a significant niche, capturing the hearts (and taste buds) of millions with its weekly rotating menu. Among their ever-popular offerings, the Crumbl Oreo Brownie has garnered a cult following, celebrated for its rich chocolatey base, creamy Oreo frosting, and elegant chocolate drizzle. But what if you could recreate this coveted treat right in your own kitchen, saving both time and money?
Like many dessert enthusiasts, I found myself drawn into the Crumbl craze. When I first heard whispers of a Crumbl Oreo Brownie making an appearance, my curiosity was piqued. A new Crumbl store had just opened its doors near my home, presenting the perfect opportunity to experience this much-talked-about creation firsthand. Eagerly, I ventured in, parted ways with $6.75, and emerged victorious with a beautifully boxed brownie. The original Crumbl brownie recipe remains a closely guarded secret, but for those of us who love to bake, the challenge of a copycat recipe is an irresistible invitation. This guide will walk you through the simple steps to replicate the magic of Crumbl’s Oreo Brownie, transforming your kitchen into a personal Crumbl bakery.
How to Recreate the Crumbl Oreo Brownie Experience at Home
That initial Crumbl Oreo Brownie, presented so enticingly in its signature pink box, almost didn’t make it home. The temptation to indulge in the car was immense, but I resisted, determined to properly analyze my purchase. The first bite was incredibly revealing. To my surprise, the brownie base tasted remarkably similar to a premium box mix, specifically recalling the rich, fudgy texture of a Ghirardelli or Aldi brownie mix. This realization sparked an immediate idea: a copycat recipe using these readily available ingredients would be both easy and delicious.
Crafting these homemade Crumbl Oreo brownies would require just a few key components: a high-quality brownie mix (Ghirardelli being the top contender), plenty of crushed Oreos, and a luxurious cream cheese frosting. The frosting element felt particularly familiar, as I already had a tried-and-true Oreo-themed brownie and frosting recipe in my repertoire, fondly known as Oreo Stack Brownies. This existing knowledge provided a fantastic starting point, simplifying the process of developing the perfect copycat. The goal was to capture that signature fudgy brownie, the sweet, crumbly Oreo texture, and the creamy frosting, all without the need for a secret corporate recipe.
Baking Your Oreo Brownies as Individual Squares for the Authentic Crumbl Look
One of the distinctive features of Crumbl brownies is their individual, substantial squares. It appears they often bake them in specialized disposable baking molds, typically a little over 3 inches wide. While these molds are certainly an option for an ultra-authentic presentation, and something I might experiment with for future baking adventures, I found a fantastic alternative in my own kitchen: a deep square muffin tin. Specifically, I recommend the “Celebrate It” non-stick mini brownie pan, which can be found at Michaels and similar stores. Amazon also offers comparable options if you prefer online shopping.
Using a deep square muffin tin offers several advantages. Firstly, it allows for easy portion control, producing brownies that are still generous but more manageable than the original Crumbl brownies, which famously weigh in at a hefty 9.78 oz – easily enough to serve 4 or 5 people! Secondly, the deep cavities of these pans are perfect for achieving that desirable fudgy, dense texture throughout each brownie square, mimicking the luscious interior of the Crumbl original. The individual cavities ensure even baking and a consistent chewiness from edge to center. This method not only replicates the Crumbl aesthetic but also makes serving a breeze, providing perfectly formed, ready-to-eat dessert squares. Whether you opt for disposable molds or a sturdy muffin tin, the goal is to create those distinct, bakery-style brownie portions that are a hallmark of the Crumbl experience.
The Secret Weapon: Ghirardelli Ultimate Chocolate Brownie Mix
The core of this Crumbl Oreo brownie copycat recipe lies in its simplicity, largely thanks to the exceptional quality of store-bought brownie mixes. After my initial taste test of the actual Crumbl brownie, I was convinced that a premium mix was the key to unlocking that familiar flavor and texture. My go-to choice, and the one that most closely mirrors the Crumbl taste, is the Ghirardelli Ultimate Chocolate Brownie Mix. This mix consistently delivers a rich, intensely chocolatey flavor and a wonderfully fudgy texture that is hard to beat, even by many scratch recipes.
Making the copycat brownies with this mix is incredibly straightforward. Simply follow the package directions for preparing the batter, which typically involves combining the mix with an egg, oil, and water. Once your smooth, glossy batter is ready, it’s time to incorporate the star ingredient: crushed Oreos. Gently fold in a generous amount of crushed Oreos, ensuring they are evenly distributed throughout the batter. Then, pour the enhanced batter into your individual square muffin pan cavities and bake until just set. For those who might not have Ghirardelli readily available, the Aldi Baker’s Corner brownie mix is another excellent, budget-friendly option that also closely resembles the Crumbl brownie’s profile. Using a quality box mix not only saves time but also ensures a consistent, delicious result every single time, making this copycat recipe truly accessible to all skill levels.
Flexible Baking: Alternative Pan Sizes for Your Oreo Brownies
Don’t worry if you don’t own a specific square muffin or brownie tin. This recipe is highly adaptable, allowing you to achieve delicious results with various pan sizes and shapes. The beauty of baking is its flexibility, and these copycat Crumbl Oreo brownies are no exception. If you have a standard 8-inch square baking pan, you can simply bake the entire batch of brownie batter in it. Once cooled, cut the baked brownie into four generous “giant” squares, closely resembling the large portions of original Crumbl brownies. This is a perfect option if you’re serving a small group and want that impressive, substantial dessert.
Alternatively, for more modest portions, a 9-inch square pan works beautifully. After baking, you can slice the brownies into nine smaller, equally delightful squares. This size is ideal for parties or when you want to offer individual servings that aren’t quite as overwhelming as the Crumbl original. For a fun and unique twist, consider using a jumbo muffin tin to create round Oreo brownies. This unexpected shape adds a playful element to your dessert spread and is sure to be a conversation starter. Remember that baking times will vary depending on the size and depth of your pan; always refer to the brownie mix box instructions as a guide, and keep an eye on your brownies, testing for doneness with a toothpick. The key is to bake until the edges are set and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with moist crumbs, ensuring a fudgy interior.
Crafting the Perfect Oreo Brownie Frosting and Drizzle
Once your fudgy Oreo brownies are baked and cooled, the next crucial step in perfecting this Crumbl copycat is the frosting. This isn’t just any frosting; it’s a creamy, dreamy concoction designed to complement the rich brownie base and integrate even more delightful Oreo flavor. For this recipe, I adapted my go-to cream cheese frosting recipe, making a subtle but significant tweak: adding a touch more cream cheese. This adjustment helps to cut through some of the sweetness typically found in powdered sugar frostings, creating a more balanced and sophisticated flavor profile that truly enhances the overall dessert experience.
After achieving a smooth, velvety cream cheese and butter base, it’s time to fold in a generous amount of crushed Oreos. These cookie pieces add an incredible textural contrast and infuse the frosting with that unmistakable Oreo taste. But the Crumbl Oreo Brownie isn’t complete without its signature finishing touch: a glossy chocolate ganache drizzle. This elegant addition, while seemingly complex, is surprisingly simple to make. In just a couple of minutes, you can melt together dark chocolate and a hint of coconut oil to create a smooth, pourable ganache. This drizzle not only adds another layer of rich chocolate flavor but also contributes to the visual appeal, making your homemade brownies look just like they came from a high-end bakery. The combination of the fudgy brownie, creamy Oreo frosting, and decadent chocolate ganache creates a truly irresistible treat – miniature versions of Crumbl’s masterpiece, ready to impress.
Elevating Your Brownies: The Scratch Version for Discerning Palates
While the convenience and consistent quality of a premium brownie mix like Ghirardelli make it an ideal choice for a quick and delicious Crumbl copycat, I understand that many bakers, myself included, cherish the art of baking from scratch. My decision to initially use a brownie mix for this recipe was rooted in the surprising similarity between Crumbl’s brownie base and that of a good quality box mix, and also because box mixes are incredibly popular and accessible. However, for those who prefer the satisfaction and often enhanced depth of flavor that comes from a homemade batter, a scratch version is certainly an excellent alternative.
If you’re looking to elevate your Crumbl Oreo brownie copycat with a scratch-made base, I have a couple of highly recommended recipes that deliver outstanding results. For an intensely fudgy and rich brownie, I would turn to the King Arthur Best Fudge Brownies Ever recipe. King Arthur is renowned for its reliable and delicious baking formulations, and this brownie recipe lives up to its name, promising a dense, chewy, and profoundly chocolatey experience. Alternatively, for a delightfully chewy texture, the old Cook’s Illustrated Chewy Brownies made in one bowl recipe is a fantastic choice. This recipe is known for its simplicity and for consistently producing brownies with that perfect, satisfying chew. Whichever scratch recipe you choose, the key is to ensure it yields a fudgy or chewy brownie that can stand up to the rich frosting and Oreo additions. You can then proceed with the same cream cheese Oreo frosting and chocolate ganache drizzle, ensuring your scratch-made Crumbl copycats are every bit as spectacular.
Tips for Perfect Crumbl-Style Oreo Brownies
Achieving bakery-quality brownies at home is easier than you think with a few smart tips:
- Don’t Overbake: This is the golden rule for fudgy brownies. Brownies continue to cook slightly after being removed from the oven. Remove them when a toothpick inserted a few inches from the edge comes out with moist crumbs, but not wet batter. The center might still seem slightly underdone, but this is exactly what contributes to that desirable fudgy texture.
- Cool Completely: Resist the urge to frost warm brownies. The frosting will melt, and you’ll end up with a messy, runny dessert. Patience is key; allow your brownies to cool completely, preferably in the refrigerator, before applying the frosting and drizzle. This also helps the brownies firm up for cleaner cuts.
- Chill Your Frosted Brownies: After frosting and drizzling, chilling the brownies helps the frosting set firmly. This not only makes them easier to handle and serve but also gives them a more professional, bakery-like finish, much like the ones from Crumbl.
- Quality Ingredients Matter: Even with a box mix, using good quality eggs, oil, and especially a premium brownie mix like Ghirardelli, will make a noticeable difference in the final taste and texture. For the frosting, good quality cream cheese and butter are essential for a rich, smooth consistency.
- Crush Oreos Evenly: For the best texture in both the brownie batter and the frosting, aim for evenly crushed Oreo pieces. A food processor makes this quick and easy, but placing them in a Ziploc bag and crushing with a rolling pin works just as well.
Serving Suggestions for Your Homemade Crumbl Oreo Brownies
These magnificent Crumbl Oreo Brownie copycats are a dessert experience on their own, but here are a few ideas to make them even more special:
- With a Glass of Milk: The classic pairing! The richness of the brownie and frosting is perfectly balanced by a cold glass of milk.
- A la Mode: Serve a warm (or even cold) brownie with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream. The contrast in temperatures and the added creaminess of the ice cream are divine.
- Coffee or Hot Chocolate Companion: These brownies are a luxurious accompaniment to a freshly brewed cup of coffee or a comforting mug of hot chocolate, especially on a chilly day.
- Dessert Platter Star: Cut into smaller squares or wedges, these brownies make an impressive addition to any dessert platter, especially alongside other cookies or mini treats.
- Garnish Galore: Beyond the chocolate drizzle and Oreo crumbs, consider adding a fresh mint leaf for a pop of color, or a few chocolate curls for extra elegance.
No matter how you choose to enjoy them, these homemade Crumbl Oreo Brownies are guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser, proving that you don’t need a trip to Crumbl to savor this exceptional dessert. Happy baking!
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Recipe
Crumbl Oreo Brownie Copycat
Anna
Pin Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 box Ghirardelli Ultimate Chocolate brownie mix (19 oz)
- 1 large egg
- ¼ cup vegetable oil
- ¼ cup water
- 10 ct Oreos crushed for the brownie batter
Oreo Frosting
- 4 oz unsalted butter, softened (114 grams)
- 2 oz cream cheese, softened (56 grams)
- 1 pinch salt
- 2 cups powdered sugar (230 grams)
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2-4 tablespoons heavy cream (56 grams)
- 10 more Oreos crushed for the frosting and garnish
Chocolate Drizzle
- 3 oz dark chocolate (finely chopped or chips)
- 2 teaspoons coconut oil
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 325°F (160°C). Grease 8 deep cavities of a brownie muffin pan and line each with a paper liner or a strip of parchment for easy removal. If using a silicone pan, lightly greasing is sufficient. Alternatively, lightly grease an 8-inch or 9-inch square pan.
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In a large bowl, combine the brownie mix, the syrup packet (if included), large egg, vegetable oil, and water. Mix until the batter is smooth and well combined, being careful not to overmix.
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Carefully spoon the brownie batter into the prepared muffin cavities, dividing it evenly. Crush 10 Oreos and sprinkle them generously over the top of the batter in each cavity. Gently press the crushed Oreos down into the batter with a spoon or your finger.
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Bake for approximately 18 to 20 minutes at 325°F (160°C), or until a toothpick inserted a few inches from the edge comes out with moist crumbs. If using a large square pan, follow the baking times specified on the brownie mix box, typically around 40 minutes.
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Allow the brownies to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before attempting to frost them. For best results, chill them in the refrigerator after they’ve cooled to room temperature.
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For the Oreo Frosting: In a medium bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and unsalted butter together with an electric mixer until the mixture is completely smooth and creamy, with no lumps.
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Add the powdered sugar, a pinch of salt, and vanilla extract. Stir on low speed until combined, then gradually add 2-4 tablespoons of heavy cream, a little at a time, until the frosting reaches your desired consistency. Increase speed to high and beat until the frosting is light and fluffy.
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Gently fold in about 8 of the crushed Oreos into the frosting. Reserve some of the crushed Oreos for garnishing the tops of the finished brownies.
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To assemble your Crumbl copycat brownies: Spread a thick, even layer of the Oreo cream cheese frosting over the cooled brownies. For the best presentation and to help the ganache set, chill the frosted brownies in the refrigerator until they are very cold and the frosting is firm.
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For the Chocolate Drizzle: In a microwave-safe bowl, combine the dark chocolate (finely chopped or chips) and coconut oil. Microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring after each, until the chocolate is completely melted and smooth. Let the ganache cool slightly to a warm, pourable consistency. Drizzle the chocolate ganache generously over the cold, frosted brownies. Garnish immediately with the remaining crushed Oreo crumbs. Place the brownies back into the refrigerator to allow the chocolate drizzle to set completely before serving.