Santa Hat Brownies

Santa Hat Brownies are a delightful holiday treat that combines the rich, fudgy goodness of brownies with a festive twist. Topped with fresh strawberries and creamy whipped cream, these adorable desserts resemble Santa’s iconic hat, making them a perfect addition to your Christmas dessert table. Not only do they look festive and fun, but they also pack a delicious combination of chocolate, fruit, and cream that everyone will love. Santa Hat Brownies are easy to assemble and are sure to bring joy to any holiday gathering!

Ingredients:

• Brownies:
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
• Toppings:
  • Fresh strawberries (hulled)
  • Whipped cream or vanilla buttercream

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Brownies:
   1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×9-inch baking pan or line it with parchment paper.
   2. In a mixing bowl, whisk together the melted butter and sugar until combined. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.
   3. In a separate bowl, sift together the cocoa powder, flour, salt, and baking powder. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Do not overmix.
   4. Pour the brownie batter into the prepared baking pan and spread it evenly.
   5. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with a few moist crumbs. Allow the brownies to cool completely in the pan.
2. Cut and Assemble:
   1. Once the brownies are cooled, use a small round cookie cutter or a knife to cut the brownies into circles (approximately the size of your strawberries’ base).
   2. Place a hulled strawberry, pointed end up, on each brownie circle.
3. Add the Whipped Cream:
   1. Using a piping bag fitted with a small round tip or a spoon, pipe or dollop whipped cream around the base of each strawberry to create the white “trim” of Santa’s hat.
   2. Add a small dot of whipped cream at the tip of each strawberry to complete the “pom-pom” on top of the hat.
4. Serve and Enjoy:
   1. Arrange the Santa Hat Brownies on a festive platter and serve immediately, or store them in the refrigerator until ready to serve.

These cute and festive Santa Hat Brownies will definitely bring cheer and smiles to your holiday celebrations!