Introduction

Santa Hat Brownie Bites are a festive and delicious treat perfect for holiday gatherings. These bite-sized brownies topped with fresh strawberries and fluffy whipped cream resemble cheerful Santa hats, making them as fun to look at as they are to eat.

A white round plate holds 17 mini cupcakes arranged closely. Each cupcake has three layers: a dark brown chocolate base with a slightly rough texture, a thick swirl of white creamy frosting sitting on top, and a single bright red strawberry placed upside down on the frosting, with a small dollop of white cream on the strawberry tip. The scene is set on a white marbled surface with soft lighting highlighting the vivid red and white colors. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

1 Package Brownie Mix
2 Large Eggs

½ Cup Vegetable Oil
¼ Cup Water

24 Fresh Strawberries
1 Cup Heavy Whipping Cream

3 Tablespoons Instant Vanilla Pudding

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Lightly grease a mini muffin pan and dust it with flour to prevent sticking.
Step 2: In a medium mixing bowl, combine the brownie mix, eggs, vegetable oil, and water. Stir until there are no dry spots of brownie mix remaining.

Step 3: Using a 1-inch cookie scoop, fill each muffin cup about three-quarters full with the brownie batter.
Step 4: Bake the batter in the oven for 12 minutes. Remove the pan and let the brownie bites cool on a rack for 15 minutes.
Step 5: Carefully remove each brownie bite from the pan using a fork if needed, then place them back on the cooling rack to cool completely.

Step 6: In a large bowl, whip the heavy cream with a mixer fitted with a wire whip attachment until soft peaks form.
Step 7: Add the instant vanilla pudding to the whipped cream and continue whipping until stiff peaks form. Avoid over-whipping to prevent the cream from congealing.
Step 8: Fill a piping bag fitted with a #21 tip with the whipped cream mixture.

Step 9: Cut the green tops off the strawberries along with the tip of the small end to create a flat surface.
Step 10: Pipe a full layer of cream on top of each brownie bite. Place a strawberry, large end down, onto the cream. Pipe a small dollop of cream on the tip of the strawberry to complete the look of a Santa hat.

Tips & Variations

Use ripe and firm strawberries for easier assembly and better presentation.

Try adding a pinch of cinnamon or espresso powder to the brownie mix for enhanced flavor.
For a dairy-free option, substitute the heavy cream with coconut cream and use a suitable pudding mix.
Chill the whipped cream mixture slightly before piping to help it hold its shape better.

Storage

Store the assembled Santa Hat Brownie Bites in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. The whipped cream topping is best enjoyed fresh, so avoid storing them with the cream for long periods. To keep the brownies fresh without topping, store them separately at room temperature for up to 3 days or freeze for longer storage.

How to Serve

A white plate holds fifteen small chocolate cupcakes arranged closely in rows. Each cupcake has three layers: the bottom is a dark brown, moist chocolate cake, the middle layer is a thick swirl of light cream frosting with a soft texture, and the top layer is a whole bright red strawberry placed upside down with the pointed end up. Each strawberry is topped with a small dollop of the same light cream frosting, creating a cute hat-like look. In the blurry white marbled background, there are fresh strawberries in a white bowl and candy canes, with some scattered strawberries, adding a festive touch. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use homemade brownies instead of a mix?

Absolutely! Homemade brownies work wonderfully for this recipe. Just make sure they are baked in mini muffin-sized portions to match the bite-sized presentation.

What if I don’t have a piping bag or tip?

You can use a plastic sandwich bag and cut a small hole in one corner to pipe the whipped cream. Alternatively, simply spoon the cream onto the brownies and top with strawberries for a more rustic look.