Quick & Jolly Santa’s Delight Brownies Recipe for Festive Baking

Sweet santas delight brownies offer a magical twist on classic chocolate treats that spark immediate joy and childhood nostalgia.

Imagine rich, decadent squares packed with festive cheer and unexpected flavor combinations.

Winter desserts often feel predictable, but these brownies break traditional boundaries with their playful ingredients.

Seasonal baking becomes an adventure when you experiment with creative chocolate techniques.

Warm kitchen aromas will instantly transport you to cozy holiday memories.

Delightful textures and surprising elements make these brownies more than just another dessert.

Chocolate lovers and holiday enthusiasts will absolutely adore this delectable, merry confection.

Explore this recipe and create something truly spectacular that celebrates the spirit of the season.

Brownies Santa Would Fight Over

• Coffee-infused brownies create a rich, sophisticated taste that elevates the classic chocolate treat, offering a delightful depth beyond traditional recipes.
• The bite-sized format makes these brownies perfect for holiday parties, easy to serve, and irresistibly cute with their adorable Santa hat decoration.
• With just 25-30 minutes of total prep and baking time, anyone can create these show-stopping desserts using convenient boxed brownie mix and minimal ingredients.
• The strawberry and cream topping transforms ordinary brownies into a whimsical, Instagram-worthy dessert that brings instant holiday cheer and delights both kids and adults.

What Makes These Brownies Holiday-Ready

Main Ingredients:

• Brownie Mix: Provides the rich chocolate foundation for the dessert.
• Vegetable Oil: Ensures moisture and tender texture of brownies.
• Eggs: Binds ingredients and adds structure to the brownie base.
• Coffee or Water: Enhances chocolate depth and moisture (coffee recommended for richer flavor).

• Whipped Topping (Thawed): Creates light and creamy texture for the topping.
• Cream Cheese: Adds tangy richness and helps stabilize the topping.
• Powdered Sugar: Sweetens and helps thicken the cream topping.
• Vanilla Extract: Provides warm, aromatic flavor to the topping.

• Strawberries

How to Bake These Gooey Squares

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

• Baking spray
• Mini holiday paper liners

This step ensures your brownie bites will pop out like magic!

Step 2: Create the Brownie Base

• Brownie mix
• Vegetable oil
• Cool coffee (or water for a milder flavor)
• Eggs

Blend everything with an electric mixer until smooth and dreamy. Pro tip: Coffee adds a secret flavor punch that’ll make taste buds dance!

Step 3: Fill and Bake

Grab a small scoop and distribute batter evenly into muffin cups. Slide the pan into the preheated oven and bake for 10-12 minutes. Check doneness with a toothpick – it should have moist crumbs clinging to it. Let brownies hang out in the pan for a few minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack.

Step 4: Whip Up the Festive Topping

• Thawed whipped topping
• Softened cream cheese
• Powdered sugar
• Vanilla extract

Whip until fluffy and light. Chill in the refrigerator while you prep the next step.

Step 5: Craft Santa Hat Decorations

• Hulling them
• Trimming the tips

• Pipe cream topping onto each brownie bite
• Place a strawberry upside down
• Add a cute cream dot on top to complete the Santa hat look

Step 6: Chill and Set

Refrigerate your adorable brownie bites for at least 2 hours. This helps them set and makes them look picture-perfect!

Pro Tips to Get That Perfect Texture

• Boost Brownie Moisture: Add a splash of coffee to deepen flavor and enhance the richness of your brownie batter, creating a more complex taste profile.
• Master Even Baking: Use a small cookie scoop to ensure uniform brownie sizes, promoting consistent baking and professional-looking mini treats.
• Whip Up Perfect Topping: Gradually add powdered sugar to the cream cheese mixture, tasting as you go to achieve the ideal balance of sweetness and tanginess.
• Strawberry Selection Matters: Choose firm, bright red strawberries with fresh green tops for the most visually appealing and delicious Santa hat decoration.
• Chill for Peak Presentation: Refrigerate assembled brownies for at least 2 hours to allow the cream topping to set and flavors to meld, ensuring a picture-perfect holiday dessert.

Reheat and Storage Info for Your Batch

• Refrigerate: Place Santa's Delight Brownies in an airtight container, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking. Keep chilled for up to 3 days.
• Freeze: Wrap individual brownies tightly in plastic wrap, then store in a freezer-safe container for maximum 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.
• Reheat: Warm brownies briefly in the microwave for 10-15 seconds to restore softness. Avoid overheating to maintain their delicate texture and prevent cream topping from melting.

What Drinks or Ice Cream to Add

• Pair with Peppermint Mocha: Complement the rich chocolate brownie with a creamy peppermint mocha that echoes the festive holiday theme, creating a delightful flavor harmony between the dessert and beverage.
• Match with Vanilla Bean Ice Cream: Serve a scoop of cold, smooth vanilla bean ice cream alongside these brownies to balance the intense chocolate and provide a creamy contrast to the strawberry topping.
• Enjoy with Spiced Mulled Wine: Enhance the dessert experience by pairing with a warm, spiced mulled wine that brings out the depth of the coffee-infused brownie and adds a cozy winter feel to the treat.
• Serve with Sparkling Champagne: Add a touch of elegance by pairing these Santa's Delight Brownies with a crisp, bubbly champagne that cuts through the richness and adds a celebratory flair to the dessert.

Brownie Add-Ons Worth Trying

• Santa's Mini Berry Bliss: Replace strawberries with raspberries for a tangy twist, adding a vibrant red color and slightly tart flavor that complements the rich chocolate brownie base.
• Chocolate Peppermint Celebration: Crush candy canes and sprinkle them over the cream topping, creating a festive winter-themed treat with a cool mint essence that pairs beautifully with the chocolate.
• Nutty Holiday Crunch: Incorporate chopped toasted almonds or pecans into the brownie batter for added texture, then garnish with a light dusting of powdered sugar instead of cream topping for a more rustic presentation.
• White Chocolate Winter Charm: Swap the cream cheese topping with melted white chocolate drizzle, then top with small white chocolate shavings and a single fresh blueberry for an elegant winter-inspired version.

Brownie Baking Questions – Answered

• Can I use water instead of coffee in the recipe?

Yes, you can substitute water for coffee. The coffee adds depth to the flavor, but water works perfectly fine if you prefer.

• How long do these Santa's Delight Brownies stay fresh?

Stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator, these brownies will stay delicious for 3-4 days. Always keep them chilled to maintain their texture and topping.

• Can I make these brownies ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can prepare the brownies and topping a day in advance. Assemble them just before serving for the best presentation and freshest taste.

• What if I don't have a mini muffin pan?

No worries! You can use a regular muffin pan or even a small baking dish. Just adjust the baking time accordingly and check for moist crumbs with a toothpick.

Santas Delight Brownies Recipe

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• Total Time: 32 minutes
• Yield: 24 1x

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Description

Indulgent Santa’s Delight Brownies offer a festive chocolate escape that melts winter’s chill with rich, gooey layers of pure holiday happiness. Chocolate lovers will savor each decadent bite, discovering joy in every sweet, crumbly morsel.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Chocolate Base:

• 1 (18 ounces / 510 grams) package brownie mix (Ghirardelli Double Chocolate or similar)
• ½ cup (120 milliliters) vegetable oil
• ¼ cup (60 milliliters) cooled coffee or water
• 2 large eggs

Cream Topping:

• 1 (8 ounces / 225 grams) frozen whipped topping, thawed
• 1 (8 ounces / 225 grams) container spreadable cream cheese, softened
• ½–1 cup (60–120 grams) powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Fruit Garnish:

• 24 medium strawberries

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Instructions

1. Heat the oven to 350°F (177°C) and prepare a mini muffin pan by coating with baking spray or inserting festive holiday liners to prevent sticking and enhance presentation.
2. In a medium mixing bowl, combine brownie mix, vegetable oil, cooled coffee (or water), and eggs. Blend thoroughly with an electric mixer until the batter achieves a smooth, uniform consistency, ensuring the coffee enhances the brownie’s depth of flavor.
3. Carefully distribute the batter into the prepared muffin cups using a small scoop, creating even portions for consistent baking.
4. Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 10-12 minutes. Check doneness by inserting a toothpick – it should emerge with moist crumbs, indicating perfectly baked brownies.
5. Allow the mini brownies to rest in the pan for a few minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack to prevent further cooking and maintain their delicate texture.
6. Create the topping by whisking thawed whipped topping, softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until the mixture becomes light, fluffy, and well-integrated.
7. Refrigerate the cream topping to maintain its structure while preparing the strawberries.
8. Prepare strawberries by removing stems and trimming the tips for a clean, neat appearance.
9. Using a piping bag with a small star tip, elegantly pipe the chilled cream mixture onto each cooled brownie.
10. Invert a strawberry on top of each cream-topped brownie, creating the iconic “Santa hat” design.
11. Finish by adding a delicate dot of cream on the strawberry’s tip for a polished look.
12. Refrigerate the completed brownies for at least 2 hours to allow the topping to set and flavors to meld.

Notes

• Elevate your holiday baking with these adorable and delicious Santa-themed mini brownies that bring festive cheer to any dessert table.
• Coffee enhances the chocolate flavor, but water works perfectly if you prefer a non-caffeinated version of these cute treats.
• Use room temperature ingredients to ensure smooth batter mixing and consistent brownie texture.
• Chilling the cream topping helps it hold its shape when piping, creating picture-perfect Santa hat designs.
• Store assembled brownies in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, keeping them fresh and maintaining their festive appearance.
• Mini muffin pans create uniform bite-sized brownies that are easy to serve and irresistibly cute for holiday gatherings.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 24
• Calories: 150
• Sugar: 10 g
• Sodium: 200 mg
• Fat: 7 g
• Saturated Fat: 1 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 20 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 30 mg