Santa hat brownies are delicious and delightful on a holiday dessert table! Plus, the iconic chocolate and strawberry flavor combo is always a crowd-pleaser!
Everyone craves a warm, fudgy brownie from time to time. This recipe takes it to the next level. Topping brownies with juicy fresh strawberries and smooth cream cheese frosting creates an adorable, festive treat for the holiday season!
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Why santa hat brownies are so fun!
Santa hat brownies bring big holiday cheer with very little fuss! They're playful, festive, and just the right mix of cute and chocolatey, making them a hit for Christmas parties, cookie trays, or a cozy afternoon in the kitchen with the kids during winter break.
Using store-bought brownie bites keeps things quick and stress-free, or you can bake your own if you're feeling extra merry. Either way, these little treats are sweet, simple, and downright fun to decorate! And yes, they're the kind of dessert that practically begs to be photographed before they disappear.
Don't be surprised if these turn into a must-make tradition every December.
Santa hat brownies step-by-step video
Santa Hat Brownies
Equipment
- 1 sharp knife
- 1 piping bag
- 1 star tip
Ingredients
- 24 brownie bites pre-made or homemade, your choice!
- 24 Fresh strawberries washed and hulled
- Cream Cheese Frosting:
- ½ cup unsalted butter softened (1 stick)
- 4 ounces cream cheese softened
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Clean and hull the berries. Dry them off completely. Cut the tips off the top of the berries to create the Santa hat shapes.
- Cream cheese Frosting:
- In a mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and cream cheese until smooth and creamy.
- Add powdered sugar gradually, beating well after each addition.
- Stir in vanilla extract and continue to beat until the frosting is smooth and fluffy.
- Assemble the Santa Hat Brownies:
- Place the pre-made brownie bites on a serving platter.
- Add a small dollop of homemade cream cheese frosting on the top of each brownie bite.
- Gently press a strawberry, with the cut side down, onto the cream cheese frosting to create the Santa hat shape.
- Use a piping bag (or a Ziploc bag with the corner snipped off) to pipe a small amount of cream cheese frosting around the base of each strawberry to resemble the hat's brim.
Notes
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Nutrition
Ingredients
Please refer to the printable recipe card for the exact measurements.
Glam it up
Finish off these easy Santa hat brownies with edible glitter, crushed candy canes or pretty sprinkles for an extra magical touch.
Instructions
This is an overview of the instructions. For complete directions, check the recipe card.
FAQ's
Buy them the day you're going to use them. Storing fresh strawberries in the fridge helps them last longer. Many people also recommend washing/drying and placing the berries in a new container when you bring them home from the store.
Most food experts recommend eating strawberries closer to room temperature than straight-from-the-fridge cold. I like to pull the Santa hat brownies out of the fridge 20-30 minutes before enjoying them.
If you're running low on time, I would substitute store-bought cream cheese frosting. No judgement here! It's delicious!
Deb's top tip
Pat both the brownie bites and the strawberries dry before decorating. Removing excess moisture helps the frosting stick better and keeps the strawberry "hats" from sliding off, so your Santa brownies stay cute, tidy, and party-ready!
Also, if you don't have a pastry/piping bag on hand, snip the corner off of a plastic baggie and use that to add icing to your Santa hat brownies.
More festive Christmas treats to share
If you're having fun with these festive treats, there are a few more sweet favorites you might want to add to your holiday baking list. The Christmas Puppy Chow is quick, chocolatey, and great for snacking or gifting. Rocky Road Fudge brings that classic mix of chocolate, marshmallows, and crunch that everyone loves, and the Christmas Tree Rice Krispie Treats are another playful, kid-friendly option that's easy to make and fun to decorate.
They're all simple, crowd-friendly desserts that fit right in on a holiday treat tray.
Sweet finish for the holidays
Santa hat brownies are proof that holiday treats don't need to be complicated to be fun! With store-bought brownie bites and a little decorating time, you get a festive dessert that's easy to pull together, great for kids to help with, and guaranteed to bring smiles to the table.
Add them to a cookie tray, share them at a party, or make them just for the joy of it. These cheerful little brownies are all about simple holiday fun and sweet memories.
Jessica Miguez says
What are the measurements for each ingredient?
Debra Clark says
The measurements are in the recipe card. You scrolled right pasta it when you left your comment. Click on the recipe and if you'd prefer not to scroll, just click jump to recipe. It will take you right to the recipe card!
Lois Corliss says
These are great. We loved this wonderful treat.
Bowl Me Over says
Thanks Lois! Aren't these fun and festive?!! Glad you enjoyed the recipe!!
Maureen says
You got my attention when you said brownies. I love them and what better way to enjoy them over the holidays. They are so cute and perfect for the little ones. Love the decorations and using the strawberries for the hat is perfect. Again, another great Christmas idea. So many I don't know when to start baking.
Bowl Me Over says
So many sweets, so little time! 🤣 I hope you find a few to enjoy, thanks Maureen! Happy Holidays!!
Michelle Gosser says
How cute! I wouldn't have thought to use strawberries as hats! I imagine that they're very tasty with a brownie, kind of like a chocolate covered strawberry is. Can't wait to try this one!
Bowl Me Over says
Right? It is the BEST combination - enjoy Michelle! Happy Holidays to you and yours!!!
MaryB says
How cute are these! Fun and easy, too.
Bowl Me Over says
Thanks Mary, I hope you give them a try!!
Carol says
These cupcakes are adorable. They are perfect for the dessert table at our family get together on Christmas Eve, the grandkids will love them.
Bowl Me Over says
And you don't have to feel too bad because they have fresh fruit, right? HAHAHA! Just kidding, yes the grandkids will love them!!
Amy says
This looks delicious!
Bowl Me Over says
I hope you give these little treats a try Amy. Happy Holidays!
BRENDA DICKSON says
These are so cute and look so delicious. It would be fun to make these with my nieces and nephews.
Bowl Me Over says
Enjoy Brenda!! These little brownie bites are so festive and fun!
Angel Shult says
These will be perfect for out family Christmas get together.
Bowl Me Over says
Wonderful!! They are so fun, I hope the family loves them!!
Cat Stevens says
These cute cupcake brownies would be my 1st choice to make for a Christmas party. The strawberry says "I am healthy, lol. Also easy, which makes it nice. Thank you Deb