Easy & Festive Santa Hat Brownies: The Perfect No-Bake Holiday Treat
Get ready to spread some serious holiday cheer with these adorable Santa Hat Brownies! They are incredibly easy to make, yet they look utterly charming and impressive, guaranteed to bring smiles to both kids and adults. Whether you’re hosting a festive gathering, preparing treats for a school party, or simply looking for a fun holiday baking project, these brownies are a perfect choice. Their vibrant red and white colors instantly evoke the spirit of Christmas, making them a standout dessert on any holiday table.
The beauty of these Santa Hat Brownies lies in their flexibility and ease of preparation. You have complete control over how involved you want the process to be. For those who love homemade goodness, I’ve included detailed recipes for both fudgy brownies and creamy vanilla frosting. However, if time is of the essence or you prefer a simpler approach, feel free to use a boxed brownie mix or even store-bought brownies. Mini brownie bites from the bakery section would also work wonderfully, creating bite-sized festive treats. Similarly, pre-made frosting is a fantastic shortcut that doesn’t compromise on the festive look. This adaptability makes them ideal for busy holiday schedules, ensuring you can whip up something special without stress.
If you’re already in the mood for holiday baking and making Frosted Sugar Cookies, you can easily save about 1/3 cup of your vanilla frosting to decorate these brownies. This smart trick helps minimize waste and streamlines your holiday dessert preparation, allowing you to create multiple festive treats with just one batch of frosting.
Why You’ll Adore These Festive Santa Hat Brownies
These delightful Santa Hat Brownies aren’t just a treat for the taste buds; they’re a treat for the eyes and the soul, especially during the joyous holiday season. Here are several compelling reasons why these will quickly become a cherished part of your holiday traditions:
- Irresistibly Cute & Festive – There’s no denying the immediate charm of these brownies. Shaped like Santa’s iconic hat, complete with a fluffy white pom-pom, they are the epitome of holiday cuteness. Their vibrant red and white design makes them an instant showstopper at any Christmas party, family dinner, or festive gathering. Both children and adults will be captivated by their whimsical appearance, making them a fantastic conversation starter and a joyful addition to your dessert spread. They’re also perfect for school parties, potlucks, or even as edible gifts for neighbors and friends.
- Remarkably Easy to Make – Don’t let their impressive look fool you; these Santa Hat Brownies are incredibly simple to assemble. You don’t need advanced baking or decorating skills to achieve a professional-looking result. My own crafting and cake decorating abilities are quite basic, and if I can make these look fantastic, anyone can! The process is straightforward, involving minimal steps that even novice bakers can confidently tackle. This ease makes them ideal for last-minute holiday preparations or when you want a beautiful dessert without all the fuss.
- No Baking Required (Optional) – One of the most convenient aspects of this recipe is the option to skip baking entirely. By utilizing quality store-bought brownies (whether a whole pan you cut yourself or pre-cut mini brownie bites), you can transform this into a truly no-bake dessert. This is a game-changer for busy hosts, classroom parties where ovens are unavailable, or simply when you want to get the kids involved in decorating without the heat of the oven. While I personally adore the rich, fudgy texture of homemade brownies, the convenience of a no-bake option makes these accessible to everyone, regardless of their comfort level in the kitchen.
- Perfect for Involving Kids – The simple assembly process, especially if using pre-made brownies and frosting, makes this a fantastic activity for children. They can help arrange the brownies, place the strawberries, and pipe the frosting, fostering their creativity and giving them a sense of accomplishment during the holidays. It’s a wonderful way to create lasting festive memories.
- Customizable to Your Liking – From the type of brownie base to the flavor of frosting, and even the size of your “hats,” this recipe offers endless customization opportunities. You can tailor it to dietary preferences (e.g., gluten-free brownies) or simply to match your personal taste.
Essential Ingredients for Your Santa Hat Brownies
Before you start, make sure to scroll to the bottom of the post for the FULL PRINTABLE recipe card with exact measurements and detailed instructions.
- Brownies – This is your base, and you have several options:
- Homemade: The recipe card below includes a delicious recipe for rich, fudgy homemade brownies. These offer superior flavor and texture, making the extra effort worthwhile for a truly decadent treat.
- Box Mix: A convenient and quick alternative. Simply follow the package instructions to bake your brownies.
- Store-bought: For the ultimate ease, purchase pre-made brownies from your local bakery or grocery store. You can get a whole pan to cut yourself or opt for mini brownie bites for individual servings. Choose fudgy brownies for the best texture contrast with the soft strawberry.
- Strawberries – Fresh, ripe strawberries are key to these festive hats. Look for bright red, firm berries that are roughly uniform in size. They should be clean and have their stems removed, creating a flat surface for stability. The natural sweetness and slight tartness of the strawberries perfectly complement the rich brownies and sweet frosting.
- Vanilla Frosting – The creamy white frosting forms the base and the iconic “pom-pom” of Santa’s hat.
- Homemade: A simple recipe for a smooth, pipeable vanilla frosting is included in the recipe card. This allows you to control the sweetness and consistency.
- Store-bought: If you’re short on time, a good quality store-bought vanilla frosting works perfectly. Ensure it’s thick enough for piping.
- Leftovers: If you’ve recently made a batch of frosting for other holiday treats like cookies, you can easily reserve a portion for these brownies.
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Assemble Santa Hat Brownies
Assembling these delightful Santa Hat Brownies is a straightforward process that’s enjoyable for all ages. Follow these simple steps to create your festive treats:
- Prepare Your Brownie Base: First, ensure your brownies are completely cooled. Arrange your brownies on a serving board or tray. When cutting your brownies, consider the size of your strawberries. For a classic look, I cut mine slightly larger than the strawberries, yielding 9 pieces from an 8-inch square pan. However, you could use a round cookie cutter to cut brownie circles the same size as your berries for a more uniform appearance. For mini Santa hats, cut smaller squares or use mini brownie bites, getting 16 pieces from an 8-inch square pan. Uniformity in size will help with stability and presentation.
- Clean and Prep Strawberries: Gently wash your fresh strawberries under cold water. Carefully pat them dry with a paper towel. Using a small paring knife, slice off the green stem and a small portion of the top, creating a flat, stable surface. This flat base is crucial for seating the strawberry securely on the frosting.
- Pipe the Frosting Base: Transfer your vanilla frosting into a piping bag fitted with a round tip (or a sturdy ziplock bag with the corner snipped off). Hold the piping bag directly over the center of each brownie. Pipe a generous circle of frosting, slightly larger than the base of your strawberry, onto the top of each brownie. This will act as the “fur trim” of Santa’s hat and a secure adhesive for the strawberry.
- Place the Strawberry: Carefully take a prepared strawberry and place it, flat side down, directly into the center of the piped frosting circle. Gently press down to ensure it adheres well to the frosting. The frosting should peek out slightly around the base of the strawberry, mimicking the fur trim.
- Add the “Pom-Pom” Tip: With the same piping bag, pipe a small dollop of white frosting onto the very top tip of each strawberry. This creates the iconic fluffy pom-pom of Santa’s hat, completing the festive look. You can make this a neat dot or a slightly swirlier flourish depending on your preference and piping tip.
Repeat the process for all your brownies, and watch as your simple brownies transform into an enchanting platter of holiday cheer!
Tips for Success & Creative Variations
Elevate your Santa Hat Brownies with these simple tips and exciting variations:
- Perfectly Cut Brownies: For clean cuts, chill your brownies thoroughly before slicing. Use a sharp, warm knife, wiping it clean between each cut. This prevents crumbling and ensures neat edges for your hat bases.
- Uniform Strawberries: Try to select strawberries that are similar in size and shape for a consistent look across all your brownies.
- Frosting Consistency is Key: If your homemade frosting is too thick, add milk a teaspoon at a time until it’s pipeable but still holds its shape. If it’s too thin, gradually add more powdered sugar. Store-bought frosting can be whipped for a few seconds to make it lighter and easier to pipe.
- Piping Bag Alternative: No piping bag? No problem! A sturdy Ziploc bag with a small corner snipped off works just as well for piping the frosting. For a more textured “pom-pom,” you can use a small star tip if you have one.
- Add a Touch of Sparkle: For extra festive flair, sprinkle a tiny bit of edible glitter over the frosting trim or the pom-pom.
- Mini Santa Hat Bites: For party appetizers or smaller portions, use mini brownies or cut your brownies into smaller squares. Pair them with smaller strawberries for adorable bite-sized treats.
- Blondie Base: Not a fan of chocolate? Try using a blondie recipe as your base for a delicious vanilla alternative that still offers a great contrast to the red strawberry.
- Cream Cheese Frosting: For a slightly tangy flavor, consider using a cream cheese frosting instead of vanilla. Ensure it’s firm enough to hold the strawberry.
Storage Recommendations for Freshness
Due to the fresh strawberries and frosting, proper storage is essential to keep your Santa Hat Brownies looking and tasting their best. These brownies are best enjoyed fresh, ideally on the day they are assembled.
You’ll want to store these delightful treats in the refrigerator. Place them in an airtight container to prevent them from drying out and to protect the berries from absorbing odors from other foods. When stored correctly, they will last for about 2-3 days before the strawberries begin to soften and release their juices, which can make the brownies soggy. For the best presentation and texture, it’s always best to assemble these Santa Hat Brownies as close as possible to when you plan to serve them. If you need to prepare components in advance, you can bake the brownies and make the frosting a day ahead, storing them separately, and then assemble the hats just a few hours before your event.
Discover More Fun Holiday Treats
The holiday season is all about indulging in sweet delights and creating joyful memories in the kitchen. If you loved making these Santa Hat Brownies, you’ll surely enjoy exploring other festive recipes. Here are some more of my favorite holiday treats that are perfect for sharing with family and friends:
- Chocolate Covered Pretzels: A classic sweet and salty combination that’s incredibly easy to customize with different sprinkles and chocolate types.
- Homemade Turtles: Rich caramel and pecans covered in chocolate – a decadent treat that tastes gourmet but is simple to make at home.
- Grinch Sugar Cookie Bites: Whimsical and delicious, these green sugar cookie bites are sure to make your heart grow three sizes!
- Cornflake Cookies: A delightful no-bake option, these crunchy, sweet clusters are a nostalgic favorite.
- Easy No-Bake Avalanche Cookies: A quick and simple recipe featuring peanut butter, marshmallows, and chocolate – perfect for last-minute cravings.
- Christmas Magic Bars: Layered with goodness, these bars are a magical combination of chocolate, nuts, and coconut on a graham cracker crust.
Santa Hat Brownies
Erin Sellin
10 minutes
25 minutes
35 minutes
9
Rate Recipe
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Ingredients
- 9 strawberries, cleaned and stem removed
Brownies
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 4 oz semisweet chocolate
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 whole large eggs
- 6 Tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 Tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Vanilla Frosting
- 2 Tablespoons butter, room temperature
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 Tablespoon milk
- splash vanilla extract
Instructions
To Make Brownies
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Preheat oven to 350º F (175°C). Prepare an 8-inch baking pan by greasing it with butter and dusting with flour, or lining with parchment paper.
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In a microwave-safe bowl, melt the unsalted butter and semisweet chocolate together. Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring in between, until smooth. Allow the mixture to cool slightly to prevent cooking the eggs.
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Into the cooled chocolate mixture, stir in the granulated sugar and vanilla extract until well combined and smooth.
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Add the two large eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition until the mixture is light, fluffy, and fully incorporated, creating a rich texture.
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In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, unsweetened cocoa powder, and salt. Gradually add these dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring gently until just combined. Be careful not to over-mix, as this can lead to tough brownies.
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Pour the brownie batter evenly into your prepared 8-inch pan. Bake in the preheated oven for approximately 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with moist crumbs, but not wet batter.
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Remove the brownies from the oven and let them cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before attempting to slice them. Cooling is crucial for neat cuts and preventing crumbling.
To Make Frosting
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In a medium bowl, cream together the room temperature butter, powdered sugar, 1 tablespoon of milk, and a splash of vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth and easily spreadable or pipeable. If the frosting is too thick, add more milk a teaspoon at a time until desired consistency is reached. If it’s too thin, add a bit more powdered sugar.
To Assemble
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Once brownies are completely cooled, cut them into your desired sizes (e.g., 9 squares for an 8-inch pan) and arrange them on a serving tray or cutting board.
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Transfer the vanilla frosting into a piping bag fitted with a round tip (or a sturdy ziplock bag with a small corner snipped off for piping).
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Pipe a round circle of frosting onto the center of each brownie, making it slightly larger than the base of your strawberries. This creates the “fur” trim of the Santa hat.
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Take your cleaned strawberries (with stems removed and a flat base) and gently place them, cut-side down, into the center of each frosting circle on the brownies.
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Finally, pipe a small dollop of white frosting onto the very top tip of each strawberry to complete the “pom-pom” of the Santa hat.
Notes
Feel free to use store-bought vanilla frosting or leftover vanilla frosting from other holiday baking projects like sugar cookies.
Nutrition
Calories: 359kcal |
Carbohydrates: 49g |
Protein: 3g |
Fat: 18g |
Saturated Fat: 11g |
Polyunsaturated Fat: 6g |
Cholesterol: 75mg |
Sodium: 99mg |
Fiber: 1g |
Sugar: 42g
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Additional Info
Erin Sellin
10 minutes
25 minutes
35 minutes
Christmas Recipes
American
9
359
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Embrace the joy of holiday baking with these simple yet stunning Santa Hat Brownies! Happy Holidays!