Jolly Santa’s Brownies Recipe: Festive Holiday Magic

Chocolate lovers rejoice as Santa’s delight brownies emerge as the ultimate winter dessert sensation.

Deep, rich cocoa mingles with festive sweetness in this irresistible treat.

These decadent squares promise pure indulgence with every single bite.

Warm kitchens and cheerful gatherings come alive with the aroma of fresh-baked goodness.

Layers of rich chocolate and delicate textures create a memorable dessert experience.

Sweet memories and holiday cheer blend perfectly in this crowd-pleasing recipe.

You won’t be able to resist these brownies that capture the magic of the season.

Ingredients for Santa’s Brownies

• Brownie Mix: Premium blend for quick, delectable chocolate treat that brings instant dessert magic.
• Vegetable Oil: Ensures moist, tender texture and helps bind ingredients smoothly.
• Coffee or Water: Enhances chocolate depth and creates rich, complex flavor profile.
• Eggs: Provides structure, richness, and helps create perfect brownie consistency.

• Whipped Topping: Delivers light, airy texture and creates elegant dessert appearance.
• Cream Cheese: Adds tangy richness and smooth, luxurious mouthfeel to topping.
• Powdered Sugar: Sweetens and stabilizes cream mixture for perfect piping consistency.
• Vanilla Extract: Introduces warm, aromatic flavor that complements chocolate beautifully.

• Fresh Strawberries: Bright, juicy fruit that transforms brownies into adorable Santa hat design.

Equipment for Baking Festive Brownies With Ease

• Electric Mixer: Essential for blending brownie batter smoothly and creating creamy topping.
• Mini Muffin Pan: 24-cup pan crucial for creating perfectly sized bite-sized brownies.
• Small Scoop: Helps distribute batter evenly into muffin cups.
• Mixing Bowl: Medium-sized bowl for combining brownie ingredients.
• Piping Bag with Star Tip: Used for decorating brownies with cream topping.
• Cooling Rack: Allows brownies to cool evenly after baking.
• Toothpick: Helps check brownies' doneness during baking.

Step-by-Step Instructions for Santa’s Brownie Treats

Santa’s Magical Brownie Bites

• Oven Warmup

Cozy up your kitchen by heating the oven to a toasty 350°F. Grab a mini muffin pan and give it a quick spritz of baking spray or line with adorable holiday liners.

• Batter Magic

In a mixing bowl, dance together the brownie mix, vegetable oil, coffee (or water), and eggs. Whip them into a smooth, chocolatey symphony using an electric mixer until everything blends perfectly.

• Brownie Adventure

Scoop the batter into the prepared pan with love and precision. Slide the pan into the warm oven and let the brownies bake for 10-12 minutes. They’re ready when a toothpick whispers back with moist crumbs. Let them rest in the pan briefly before moving to a cooling rack.

• Creamy Cloud Topping

Whip up a dreamy topping by blending whipped topping, cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until it becomes a fluffy cloud of deliciousness. Chill this magical mixture in the refrigerator.

• Santa Hat Finale

Hull and trim strawberries with care. Pipe the creamy mixture onto each brownie using a star tip. Crown each bite with a strawberry turned upside down, and add a playful dot of cream on top. Chill for a couple of hours to let the magic set.

Brownie Baking Tips for Fudgy Holiday Results

• Baking Magic Boost: Add a pinch of espresso powder to the brownie mix for an extra depth of rich chocolate flavor that makes these treats irresistibly delicious.
• Festive Flavor Swap: Replace strawberries with festive alternatives like red raspberries, white chocolate chips, or crushed peppermint candies to match different holiday themes or personal preferences.
• Make-Ahead Master Plan: These brownies can be prepared entirely the day before serving, storing them in an airtight container in the refrigerator to maintain their perfect texture and creamy topping.
• Decoration Pro Tip: Experiment with different piping techniques for the cream topping – try rosettes, swirls, or classic dollops to create unique and professional-looking Santa hat designs that will wow your guests.
• Storage Smart Move: Keep these mini brownies refrigerated and consume within 3-4 days for the best taste and texture, ensuring maximum freshness and delightful holiday enjoyment.

Serving Santa’s Brownies With Cheer

• Sweet Holiday Presentation: Arrange these adorable brownies on a festive red or green platter, creating a delightful Christmas centerpiece that will wow your guests.
• Cocoa Companion Pairing: Serve alongside rich hot chocolate or a warm spiced holiday latte to complement the deep chocolate flavor and enhance the seasonal experience.
• Gifting Sparkle: Package these cute Santa hat brownies in clear holiday-themed treat bags tied with festive ribbons, making them perfect homemade gifts for teachers, neighbors, or holiday gatherings.
• Dessert Bar Magic: Create a stunning holiday dessert station featuring these brownies alongside other small treats like peppermint cookies and gingerbread bites for a show-stopping sweet display.

Keeping Brownies Moist Through the Holidays

• Smart Storage Strategies: Keep brownies in an airtight container inside the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Cool surfaces prevent cream topping from breaking down quickly.
• Quick Freezing Technique: Wrap individual Santa's Delight Brownies separately in plastic wrap, then store in freezer-safe containers. Frozen treats remain delicious for 2-3 weeks when properly sealed.
• Temperature Transition Tips: Remove brownies from refrigerator 15-20 minutes before serving. Letting them sit at room temperature helps restore soft texture and enhances cream topping's smoothness.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare brownie bases and cream topping separately up to 2 days in advance. Keep components refrigerated and assemble just before serving to maintain maximum freshness and visual appeal.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 12 minutes

Total Time: 32 minutes

Calories: 200 kcal

Servings: 25

Magical Santa’s Brownies Recipe

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• Total Time: 32 minutes
• Yield: 25 1x

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Description

Santa’s Delight Brownies blend festive cheer with rich chocolate magic from North Pole traditions. Magical layers of peppermint, chocolate ganache, and holiday sprinkles create a dessert you’ll cherish at winter celebrations.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 package (18 oz / 510 g) brownie mix (Ghirardelli Double Chocolate or similar)
• ½ cup (120 ml) vegetable oil
• 2 large eggs
• ¼ cup (60 ml) cooled coffee or water
• 1 container (8 oz / 225 g) spreadable cream cheese, softened
• 1 frozen whipped topping (8 oz / 225 g), thawed
• ½–1 cup (60–120 g) powdered sugar
• 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
• 24 medium strawberries

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Instructions

1. Preheat and Prepare: Warm the oven to 350°F (177°C) and ready a mini muffin pan by coating with baking spray or inserting festive holiday liners for easy release and decorative appeal.
2. Mix Brownie Base: Combine brownie mix, vegetable oil, cooled coffee (or water), and eggs in a medium bowl. Blend with an electric mixer until the batter reaches a smooth, homogeneous texture that promises rich chocolate depth.
3. Fill and Bake: Distribute the batter evenly into muffin cups using a small scoop. Slide the pan into the preheated oven and bake for 10-12 minutes, testing doneness with a toothpick that should emerge with moist crumbs.
4. Cool and Rest: After baking, let the mini brownies settle in the pan briefly, then transfer to a cooling rack to preserve their delicate structure and prevent overcooking.
5. Craft Cream Topping: Whisk together whipped topping, cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until the mixture transforms into a light, airy, and well-blended cream. Chill the topping to maintain its consistency.
6. Strawberry Preparation: Trim the strawberry stems and tips, creating a clean, uniform appearance for the iconic Santa hat design.
7. Decorate and Assemble: Using a piping bag with a small star tip, elegantly pipe the chilled cream onto each cooled brownie. Crown each with an inverted strawberry, adding a delicate cream dot at the tip for a polished finish.
8. Final Chill: Refrigerate the completed Santa’s Delight Brownies for a minimum of 2 hours, allowing the topping to set and the flavors to harmonize into a festive treat.

Notes

• Optimize Baking Precision: Use an accurate oven thermometer to ensure exact 350°F temperature for consistent brownie texture and even baking.
• Master Moisture Control: Don’t overmix batter; stir just until ingredients combine to prevent dense, tough brownies and maintain a tender crumb.
• Enhance Flavor Depth: Substitute water with room temperature coffee to intensify chocolate richness and create more complex taste profile.
• Achieve Perfect Presentation: Chill cream topping for 15-20 minutes before piping to maintain structured design and prevent melting during decoration.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 12 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 25
• Calories: 200
• Sugar: 15 g
• Sodium: 150 mg
• Fat: 10 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 26 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 30 mg