Welcome to the delightful world of festive treats with this charming Santa Hat Brownies Recipe! These fudgy, rich brownies topped with fresh strawberries and creamy vanilla frosting are the perfect holiday treat that’s as fun to make as it is to eat. Combining classic chocolate indulgence with a bright pop of red and white, this recipe turns an everyday favorite into an irresistible Christmas showstopper that your friends and family won’t stop talking about.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This Santa Hat Brownies Recipe is built on simple, pantry-friendly ingredients that work beautifully together to create a moist, flavorful brownie base with a festive finish. Each component is carefully chosen to bring the perfect balance of texture, sweetness, and color.
- 3/4 cup all-purpose flour: The foundation for a tender yet structured brownie crumb.
- 1/2 teaspoon salt: Enhances all the flavors, preventing the brownies from tasting flat.
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda: Helps provide a slight lift for just the right texture.
- 2 large eggs: Bind the ingredients and contribute to the fudgy richness.
- 3/4 cup light brown sugar: Adds a mild caramel flavor and moisture to the brownies.
- 3/4 cup vegetable oil: Keeps the brownies luscious and soft.
- 2 tablespoons water: Helps blend the ingredients and keeps the batter smooth.
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract: Lifts all the other flavors with its warm aroma.
- 1 1/2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips, divided: Half melts into the batter for deep chocolate richness; the rest add delightful pockets of chocolate.
- 1/2 cup vanilla frosting (store-bought or homemade): Adds creamy sweetness and serves as the “glue” for the strawberry hats.
- 9 fresh strawberries, stems removed: Bright red and juicy, these berries transform each brownie into a festive Santa hat.
How to Make Santa Hat Brownies Recipe
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare Your Pan
Start by heating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper. This prep ensures your brownies bake evenly and release effortlessly.
Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients
Whisk together the flour, salt, and baking soda in a small bowl. This step evenly distributes the leavening and seasoning to guarantee consistent flavor and texture throughout the batter.
Step 3: Whisk the Wet Ingredients
In a large bowl, whisk the eggs, brown sugar, and vegetable oil until they blend into a smooth, rich mixture. This step helps dissolve the sugar and incorporates air for a tender brownie base.
Step 4: Add Water and Vanilla
Stir in the water and vanilla extract to bring moisture and warmth. These liquids make the batter silky and enhance all the accompanying flavors gently.
Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry Mixes
Gradually whisk the dry ingredients into your wet mixture, taking care not to overmix. A few flour streaks are okay; they’ll disappear while baking, leaving a soft brownie crumb.
Step 6: Melt and Mix Chocolate
Melt one cup of chocolate chips in the microwave in 30-second bursts, stirring to avoid scorching. Once smooth, whisk this melted chocolate into the batter, then fold in the remaining half cup of chocolate chips for delightful bites of melty chocolate.
Step 7: Bake the Brownies
Pour the luscious batter into your prepared pan and smooth the surface with a spatula. Bake for 50 to 55 minutes until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs for that perfect fudgy texture.
Step 8: Cool Thoroughly
Remove from the oven and let the brownies cool on a wire rack. Cooling is essential so your frosting doesn’t melt and your Santa hats stay picture-perfect.
Step 9: Assemble the Santa Hats (Santa Hat Brownies Recipe)
Cut the cooled brownies into 9 even squares. Pipe a small circle of vanilla frosting on each square, then place a fresh strawberry, stem side down, on top. Finish by piping a tiny dollop of frosting onto the tip of each strawberry—it’s the iconic Santa hat’s fluffy pom-pom!
How to Serve Santa Hat Brownies Recipe
Garnishes
Adding a sprinkle of powdered sugar or a drizzle of melted chocolate over the brownies elevates their festive look and adds a touch of gourmet flair, while contrasting beautifully with the bright strawberries.
Side Dishes
Serve these brownies alongside a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a glass of cold milk for the ultimate comforting holiday dessert pairing that both kids and adults will adore.
Creative Ways to Present
Arrange the Santa Hat Brownies on a festive platter lined with pine branches or holly for a stunning centerpiece. You can also pop each square into mini cupcake liners for easy grab-and-go holiday treats at parties or family gatherings.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep your brownies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days to maintain their fudgy texture and fresh frosting. Avoid refrigerating, which can dry them out.
Freezing
If you want to prepare these festive treats in advance, freeze unassembled brownies tightly wrapped in plastic wrap and foil for up to 2 months. Thaw completely before adding frosting and strawberries to keep the hats fresh and vibrant.
Reheating
For warm brownies, gently zap individual squares in the microwave for 10 to 15 seconds. Be careful not to overheat, which can melt the frosting and soften the strawberry hats too much.
FAQs
Can I use a different type of flour for this Santa Hat Brownies Recipe?
All-purpose flour is ideal for the right texture, but you can experiment with gluten-free blends for special diets. Just note the texture and baking time might vary slightly.
Is it possible to make these brownies vegan?
You can substitute eggs with flax eggs and use vegan chocolate chips and frosting. Vegetable oil keeps the batter moist, making it easier to adapt while maintaining richness.
How do I keep the strawberry hats from sliding off?
Using a generous dollop of vanilla frosting acts like glue, helping the strawberries stick securely to the brownie base. Make sure your brownies are fully cooled before assembling.
Can I use frozen strawberries for this recipe?
Fresh strawberries work best because they hold their shape and texture. Frozen berries tend to release water and can make the frosting slide off, so it’s best to use fresh for the signature look.
How long do these brownies stay fresh once decorated?
Once assembled, it’s best to enjoy your Santa Hat Brownies Recipe within one to two days to keep the strawberry caps fresh and frosting intact. Refrigeration can extend life but may alter texture.
Final Thoughts
I truly hope you embrace the joy and warmth these Santa Hat Brownies Recipe bring to your holiday table. They’re a festive burst of flavor and fun that’s sure to make baking and sharing a treasured tradition. Go ahead and make these delightful brownies—you’ll fall in love at first bite and create sweet memories with every Santa hat you place!
Print
Santa Hat Brownies Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Yield: 9 servings 1x
Description
Delightfully festive Santa Hat Brownies combine rich, fudgy chocolate brownies with fresh strawberries and creamy vanilla frosting to create a fun and delicious holiday treat. These brownies are baked to perfection, then decorated to resemble Santa hats, making them perfect for Christmas parties or gifting.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
Wet Ingredients
- 2 large eggs
- 3/4 cup light brown sugar
- 3/4 cup vegetable oil
- 2 tablespoons water
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Chocolate
- 1 1/2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips, divided
Decorations
- 1/2 cup vanilla frosting (store-bought or homemade)
- 9 fresh strawberries, stems removed
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper and set aside.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a small bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, and baking soda. Set aside.
- Whisk Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, brown sugar, and vegetable oil for 2 minutes until well combined.
- Add Water and Vanilla: Whisk in the water and vanilla extract until fully incorporated.
- Combine with Dry Ingredients: Gradually whisk the dry ingredients into the wet mixture until just combined.
- Melt Chocolate Chips: Melt 1 cup of chocolate chips in the microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval, until fully melted, about 60 seconds total.
- Mix Melted Chocolate: Whisk the melted chocolate into the brownie batter until smooth. Then gently fold in the remaining 1/2 cup of chocolate chips.
- Bake: Pour the brownie batter into the prepared baking pan and smooth the top. Bake for 50-55 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool: Remove the brownies from the oven and allow them to cool on a wire rack.
- Assemble the Santa Hats: Once cooled, cut the brownies into 9 squares. Pipe a small circle of vanilla frosting on top of each brownie. Place a strawberry, stem side down, on top of the frosting to resemble a Santa hat. Pipe a small dollop of frosting on the tip of each strawberry to complete the hat.
Notes
- Make sure not to overbake the brownies to keep them fudgy.
- You can use homemade vanilla frosting for a fresher taste.
- Fresh strawberries should be firm and ripe for the best presentation.
- The melted chocolate folded into the batter adds extra richness to the brownies.
- The parchment paper makes it easier to lift the brownies out of the pan for cutting and decorating.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 50-55 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
