Description
Sweet holiday magic comes alive with Santa Hat Brownie Bites, delightful miniature desserts that blend rich chocolate and festive charm. Chocolate lovers will adore these cute, bite-sized treats perfect for Christmas celebrations with family and friends.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Baking Ingredients:
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup unsalted butter (melted)
- 2 large eggs
- ⅓ cup cocoa powder
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon baking powder
Cream Topping Ingredients:
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- 2 tablespoons powdered sugar
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Decoration Ingredient:
- 12–15 small fresh strawberries (hulled)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350F (175C) and prepare a mini muffin tin by greasing or lining with paper liners, ensuring even coverage for smooth brownie removal.
- Combine melted butter and sugar in a medium bowl, whisking until the mixture becomes smooth and glossy with no sugar crystals remaining.
- Incorporate eggs and vanilla extract into the butter-sugar mixture, stirring thoroughly to create a uniform, silky base for the brownies.
- Gently fold in cocoa powder, flour, salt, and baking powder, mixing with careful strokes to prevent overmixing and maintain a light texture.
- Carefully distribute the batter into the mini muffin cups, filling each approximately two-thirds full to allow proper rising during baking.
- Bake the brownie bites for 12-15 minutes, checking doneness by inserting a toothpick that should come out clean when the brownies are perfectly cooked.
- Allow brownies to cool completely within the muffin tin, which helps them set and makes removal easier.
- Chill a mixing bowl in preparation for whipping cream, ensuring the utensils are cold to achieve maximum volume.
- Whip heavy cream with powdered sugar and vanilla extract, beating until stiff peaks form and the mixture holds its shape distinctly.
- Transfer the whipped cream to a piping bag fitted with a round or star tip for precise decoration.
- Place a small dollop of whipped cream in the center of each cooled brownie to act as an adhesive for the strawberry.
- Position a hulled strawberry atop the cream, with the pointed end facing upward to mimic a Santa hat shape.
- Pipe a delicate cream border around the strawberry’s base, creating a soft, fluffy trim for the hat.
- Add a small cream accent at the strawberry’s tip to complete the festive Santa hat design.
- Refrigerate the brownie bites until serving time to maintain their structure and enhance flavor.
Notes
- Precision Matters: Use an ice cream scoop or cookie scoop for uniform brownie bites, ensuring even baking and consistent size.
- Temperature Control: Allow brownies to cool completely before topping to prevent whipped cream from melting and losing its structure.
- Strawberry Selection: Choose ripe, firm strawberries with bright red color and no soft spots for the best visual appeal and flavor.
- Dairy-Free Adaptation: Swap heavy cream with coconut whipped cream and use dairy-free butter or coconut oil in the brownie base for a lactose-free version.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 50 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 23 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 40 mg