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.
Ingredients
Scale
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
Instructions
- 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.
- 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.
- Carefully distribute the batter into the prepared muffin cups using a small scoop, creating even portions for consistent baking.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Refrigerate the cream topping to maintain its structure while preparing the strawberries.
- Prepare strawberries by removing stems and trimming the tips for a clean, neat appearance.
- Using a piping bag with a small star tip, elegantly pipe the chilled cream mixture onto each cooled brownie.
- Invert a strawberry on top of each cream-topped brownie, creating the iconic “Santa hat” design.
- Finish by adding a delicate dot of cream on the strawberry’s tip for a polished look.
- 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