These Santa Hat Brownies are a fun, festive twist on classic brownies. Rich, fudgy brownie squares get a dollop of sweet white frosting, a bright hulled strawberry, and a tiny marshmallow topper that looks just like Santa’s pom-pom. They smell like warm chocolate and fresh berries, and they taste sweet, creamy, and slightly tart. These bite-size treats are quick to make and perfect for holiday parties or as a cheerful dessert.
Recipe Information
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Servings: 16
- Difficulty Level: Easy
Nutrition Information
- Calories per serving: 250 kcal (approximate)
- Protein: 3 g
- Carbohydrates: 34 g
- Fat: 12 g
- Fiber: 1.5 g
- Sugar: 22 g
- Sodium: 180 mg
Why Make This Santa Hat Brownies
These Santa Hat Brownies are joyful and simple. They take a basic boxed brownie and turn it into a festive dessert in minutes. The contrast of dense chocolate, smooth white frosting, and juicy strawberries creates pleasing textures and flavors. They look adorable on a cookie tray and are kid-friendly. If you want a fast holiday dessert that still feels special, these are a perfect choice.
How to Make Santa Hat Brownies
This recipe uses a boxed brownie mix for speed. You bake the brownies, cool and slice them, then top each square with white frosting, a hulled strawberry, and a mini marshmallow. The steps are easy to follow. Read the full directions below and use the tips to keep your brownies fudgy and neat.
Ingredients:
- 1 box brownie mix (and ingredients called for on the box: eggs, oil, water)
- 1 cup white frosting (store-bought or homemade)
- Strawberries, hulled (about 16 medium strawberries)
- Mini marshmallows (about 16)
Directions:
Step 1: Preparation
Preheat the oven according to the brownie mix box. Grease a baking pan as directed (often 9×13 or 8×8 depending on the box) or line it with parchment for easy removal. Gather eggs, oil, and water so they are ready to mix.
Step 2: Mixing
Prepare the brownie batter according to the package instructions. Mix until combined, but do not overmix. Overmixing can make the brownies cakier instead of fudgy.
Step 3: Cooking
Pour the batter into the greased pan and spread it evenly. Bake as directed on the box, usually about 25–35 minutes. Test with a toothpick: a few moist crumbs are fine for fudgy brownies. Remove from oven and let cool completely in the pan.
Step 4: Finishing
Once cooled, cut the brownies into 16 squares. Spread a generous spoonful of white frosting on each square. Place a hulled strawberry, pointy side up, onto the frosting to look like a Santa hat. Top the strawberry’s tip with a mini marshmallow as the pom-pom. Press gently so the marshmallow sticks to the frosting. Serve and enjoy!
How to Serve Santa Hat Brownies
Arrange brownies on a festive platter. Serve at room temperature for soft frosting and tender brownies. For a chilled, firmer bite, refrigerate for 15–20 minutes before serving. These are great for holiday parties, school events, or a cozy family dessert.
How to Store Santa Hat Brownies
- At room temperature: Store in an airtight container for up to 1–2 days (frosting may soften).
- In the refrigerator: Store in a single layer or with parchment between layers for up to 3–4 days.
- In the freezer: Freeze unfrosted brownie squares in a single layer until firm, then stack with parchment between and store up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before frosting and decorating.
Expert Tips for Perfect Santa Hat Brownies
- Cool completely before frosting. Warm brownies will melt the frosting and make decorations slide.
- Use a small offset spatula or butter knife for smooth frosting application.
- If strawberries are large, slice the bottom slightly so each sits flat on the frosting.
- Pat strawberries dry with paper towels to prevent watery frosting.
- For better hold, use a dab of frosting to glue the marshmallow to the strawberry tip.
- If you want less sugar, use light frosting or a thin layer of whipped cream cheese frosting.
- For cleaner cuts, chill the baked brownies for 20–30 minutes before slicing and use a sharp knife wiped between cuts.
Delicious Variations
- Chocolate Santa Hats: Use chocolate frosting instead of white for a double-chocolate look.
- Cream Cheese Frosting: Swap white frosting for sweetened cream cheese for a tangy contrast.
- Mini Brownie Bites: Bake the batter in mini muffin tins for individual brownie rounds.
- Raspberry Twist: Use raspberries instead of strawberries for a tart, jewel-like hat.
- Gluten-Free: Use a gluten-free boxed brownie mix to make these suitable for gluten-sensitive guests.
Frequently Asked Questions
-
Can I make these ahead of time?
Yes. Bake and cool the brownies a day ahead. Store unfrosted at room temperature or frozen. Frost and decorate the day you plan to serve for the freshest look. Fully decorated, they keep well in the fridge for 2–3 days. -
Can I use frozen strawberries?
You can, but thaw and drain them well, and pat dry. Fresh strawberries look and hold their shape better for the “hat” effect. -
Do the marshmallows melt?
Mini marshmallows won’t melt if you add them after the brownies cool. If you want toasted marshmallow tops, briefly use a kitchen torch or broiler, watching carefully. -
Can I use homemade brownies instead of a box mix?
Absolutely. Any fudgy brownie recipe works. Let them cool fully before frosting. -
Why did my frosting slide off?
Frosting slides when brownies are warm or when strawberries are wet. Cool brownies completely and dry strawberries. Use a slightly thicker frosting or chill briefly after frosting to set. -
How many brownies does one box make?
A standard 9×13 pan typically yields 16 medium squares. If your box suggests a different pan, adjust serving count accordingly.
Conclusion
These Santa Hat Brownies are an easy, festive crowd-pleaser that combine rich chocolate, creamy white frosting, and bright strawberries into a fun holiday treat. They are quick to make and great for parties or classroom celebrations. For another similar idea and step-by-step visuals, see Strawberry Santa Hat Brownie Bites – I Heart Naptime.
Print
Santa Hat Brownies
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 16 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Festive brownies topped with white frosting, strawberries, and marshmallows, resembling Santa hats for a delightful holiday treat.
Ingredients
- 1 box brownie mix (and ingredients called for on the box: eggs, oil, water)
- 1 cup white frosting (store-bought or homemade)
- Strawberries, hulled (about 16 medium strawberries)
- Mini marshmallows (about 16)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven according to the brownie mix box. Grease a baking pan or line it with parchment paper.
- Prepare the brownie batter according to package instructions and mix until just combined.
- Pour the batter into the greased pan and bake as directed, about 25–35 minutes. Cool completely in the pan.
- Cut into 16 squares, frost each square with white frosting, place a hulled strawberry on top, and add a mini marshmallow on the strawberry tip.
- Serve and enjoy!
Notes
Cool brownies completely before frosting to prevent melting. Use fresh strawberries for best visual effect.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 22g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 34g
- Fiber: 1.5g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
