Aren’t these Santa Hat Brownies just so cute? Thanks to Erica’s Sweet Tooth for the inspiration. I was looking for a fun and simple holiday treat and I ran across a recipe on her website. They’re so good and easy to make, especially since I bought Trader Joe’s Ready to Bake brownie mix (just pour the ready-made brownie batter in an 8X8 pan and bake for 22-25 minutes). I whipped up some vanilla-mascarpone buttercream to simulate the white trim on the hats. Voila! A festive dessert to get everyone into the spirit of the holidays. It really is beginning to look a lot like Christmas around here!
Santa Hat Brownies
Yields 12-16 brownies
Ingredients:
1 pan of your favorite brownies, cooled and cut into desired size and shape (I used a round cutter)
12-16 small strawberries, cleaned and hulled
vanilla-mascarpone buttercream (recipe below)
Mascarpone Buttercream
Ingredients:
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature
8 ounces mascarpone cheese, room temperature
2-1/2 to 3 cups powdered sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
pinch of salt
Method:
Using a stand mixer with a paddle attachment, beat butter and mascarpone cheese until light and creamy, about 2 minutes. Add vanilla extract and salt. Add 2-1/2 cups of sugar, half a cup at a time and continue beating until smooth. Add more sugar, if needed to reach desired consistency and sweetness.
To assemble, pipe a ring of vanilla buttercream on top of each brownie. Cut off the base of a strawberry so it is flat and place it upside down on each brownie, pushing slightly to secure in place. Top the tip of the strawberry with a dot of buttercream to finish the santa hat.
Adapted from this recipe found on Erica’s Sweet Tooth
© Daisy’s World, 2011. All rights reserved. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Daisy’s World with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.









Those look soooooooooooooooooooooooooooo good and soooooooooooooooooooooooooooo CUTE!
These are awesome. I just wanted to post a comment saying that I have featured these Santa Hat Cupcakes on my blog, http://www.givemecupcakes.com
If you want them removed, please do get in touch. However these are pretty impressive and I feel that these will go down a treat with my audience of cupcake fanatics, especially around christmas.
This is one yummy looking brownie, who doesn’t love chocolate and strawberries! Will definitely save this for Christmas 2012
Now that is a cleaver idea
what could i use to cut out the brownies considering i do not have a mini cupcake pan?
I used a small round cutter. Others have commented that they’ve used a small glass or shot glass. You can also cut them in squares.
daisy
I used mini-muffin pans and liners for the brownies and cream cheese instead of marscapone.
These look so good! Yum!
http://www.carriekeefephotography.com
Experimented with these little gems on co-workers, they loved them. Then made them for a dinner party of 20+….huge success. Guests help assemble at the last minute and they were gone lickity split. Used small prebaked circular brownies you can by in most groceryt stores. Will definitely keep this in my recipe box. Thank you so much.
I just ran across these little beauties – how adorable!
I made these and I will next time use white or clear vanilla to make the icing more white and half the recipe.
I am going to try these tomorrow they are so cute. I think I am going to try to use marshmallow cream instead of the buttercream. I can’t wait to try it.
If I make these tonight, how long will they keep for?
would you say a standing mixer is neccesary? my friend has borrowed mine….and im stuck inside due to blizzard conditions. can I use my hand mixer?
Yes I think a hand mixer would work for the buttercream. You just really need to cream the butter and sugar and then mix the mascarpone in well. I don’t see why it wouldn’t work. If you read the comments, someone actually suggested that a hand mixer works better. I don’t own one so I have never used it to make buttercream.
daisy
thank you for the quick reply! I will let you know how it goes!
Your reply here about the buttercream is different than your original recipe?! You say to “cream the butter and sugar” and “mix in” the mascarpone. I made the frosting two times and both times I followed the recipe instructions to “beat the butter and mascarpone cheese” and “add” the sugar. Both times the mixture curdled before i could add the sugar? I had the ingredients at room temp as indicated, mixed less than the two minutes indicated, and it didn’t cream! I ended substituting a frosting, the brownies were still a hit, but I wanted the buttercream flavor! AND, I spend all those extra dollars for the mascarpone cheese for nothing!! What did I do wrong?
I’ve done this recipe both ways and it’s worked out for me. The last time I did this, however, the butter and mascarpone “broke” and was grainy. I went ahead and made the buttercream. It still tasted ok but was not smooth at all and it was very grainy. I put it in the fridge and the next day I put it back in the stand mixer and processed it for a couple of minutes and added a bit more sugar and it smoothed it out. I’m not sure about food science and how ingredients all work, so I can’t explain why it curdles and separates.
Also, if you look closely at the photo, the mascarpone buttercream is not completely smooth. It’s my experience that it’s how it is with mascarpone.
These are awesome! I’m going to try making them in a couple days
I made these for my son’s teacher holiday lunch at his school today. They were a HUGE hit! I would recommend using clear vanilla so that the frosting stays a more pure white. I also would recommend using a hand mixer vs. a big electric mixer, i think you will get better results. I used two boxes of Ghirardelli Double Chocolate brownie mix and still had extra frosting left. If the brownies are difficult to cut out, throw them in the fridge for a while.
We totally should do this for Christmas!!
These are so cute! Thanks for the idea!!
Absolutely adorable and will be on my table of Christmas desserts! Thankyou!
Just too brilliant – thank you
these are soo cute but i can’t find any fresh strawberrys anywhere this time of the year and i dont think frozen ones will look good when they thaw
Thanks for the inspiration! Blogged my version today
http://cleverlyinspired.blogspot.com/2011/12/santas-hat-brownie-dessert.html
Love them!! Such a cuttie
These are adorable! Made them for friends who came to our house last weekend. They loved them.
Thanks for letting me know. I’m glad your brownies were a hit!
daisy
We love these! We pinned them and posted the great photo on our Frontier Co-op Facebook page. Happy Holidays.
Thanks! Happy Holidays to you, too.
daisy
These are great — whimsical and so simple!
These will definitely make an appearance at our Boxing Day Party!
wow, it’s great!!
http://marinerasurferas.blogspot.com/
This is great great great – I can’t wait to replicate!
I made these for my office luncheon today. They were a hit! I was stopped before I even got to the dessert table. My mascarpone icing was a little soft (and I used a whole box of confectioners sugar), but I put them in the refrigerator over night and the icing stayed on them thru the lunch at least. Thank you so much for the idea!
LOVE these….I made them last night for my work’s “cookie exchange” – I felt the need to change it up with brownies instead!! I didn’t do your frosting…just used plain vanilla store-bought frosting instead, still super yum! Blog post to come!
Wow! My grands can’t wait to try these.
super cute and pretty!!!
I found these via Courtney’s blog, http://www.athoughtfulplaceblog.com, definitely on our party menu this weekend. Thank you for sharing.
Yummy!!! Now, go check out http://www.dreblacksofresh.com
I’m not able to get the Mascarpone Cheese. Can I just make a thicker butter cream frosting than normal and leave out cheese altogether, or do you think I should follow one of the Mascarpone Cheese Substitute recipes I’ve found and add it to the frosting?
Ellen, the beauty of this recipe is that it is so simple and adaptable to your taste preferences and what ingredients you have on hand. By all means you can omit the mascarpone or use the mascarpone cheese substitute. Or you can make your favorite frosting, as long as it’s white to resemble the Santa hat trim. I’ve also seen this recipe written using white chocolate and also with whipped cream. It’s up to you and what you think sounds good. I happen to like mascarpone cheese and it’s readily available where I live so I use it quite a bit. I hope this helps…daisy
Thanks; I just bought the substitute ingredients yesterday!
Would love to share these and link them to our Christmas link party. Full credit of course. Let me know if that is okay! Thanks for the inspiration.
Thanks for asking, Courtney! Sure, share away.
I found your post on Pinterest and I just HAD to try it… I can’t wait for tomorrow’s Christmas party now!! Thank you for sharing!!
http://www.musicianswidow.com/blog/2011/12/12/my-first-pinterest-creation/
My own attempt: http://www.flickr.com/photos/giabar/6495772301/
Have just finished icing and putting the strawberries on! Thanks for this they look divine and will be taken to work with extreme care. Can anyone help me what I can do with the left over icing as made way too much. How long will it keep in the fridge in an airtight container?
I saw these and fell in love. Gonna make them for my family get together this year. So glad I saw them.
Oh. It looks delicious.
When I originally commented I clicked the “Notify me when new comments are added” checkbox and now each time a comment is added I get four emails with the same comment. Is there any way you can remove me from that service? Thanks! 156697
When you originally posted your comment and subscribed to the email notification, you had to confirm your email address. On that email, there was a link to manage subscriptions. Click that link and there is an option to unsubscribe.
I just Googled it and I found that answer so please try it. I can’t unsubscribe you myself, at least I haven’t found a way to do it.
Yum, have made the brownies. Used a Donna Hay recipe. Just going to make the buttercream tomorrow night as have morning tea on Tuesday! Thanks for the great idea ; )
I found your blog via Pinterest. Your Santa Hat brownies are being repinned like crazy! Congrats!
I featured this Santa Hat Brownie pin on my blog as one of my favorites from the week here: http://www.pinfluence.com/2011/12/10/pss-pinfluence-saturday-stumbles-12-10-11/
Just made these for a cookie exchange. Pretty easy and cute! Hardest part for me was squeezing the frosting out of the pastry bag. I got the hang of it, though.
It’s nice to hear from you, Maria. Thanks for letting me know. I hope you enjoyed making them.
daisy
These are crazy cute! but not too cute that I wouldn`t gobble them up!!
Thanks for the great idea.
I`m thinking if someone is in a super rush then

they can just buy a bag of two bite brownies, some strawberries and a jar
of frosting and it would be super quick, but definitely only half as tasty.
mikky
http://www.todaloos.com
I have shared this recipe in my blog. I have to try it this weekend. I hope you don’t mind!
Inês Pereira
perfect-home.blogspot.com
Cause i cant eat cheese, iam gonna change the receip, chantilly cream instead of cheese, it’ ll be so sweet, to do and to eat.
Greetings from Chile
Rocio
pdt : Forgive my english if it is not so good.
I made these brownie Santa’s with the mascapone Buttercream and they were terrible! The frosting was way too sweet and runny! I wished I used whip cream from a can! It was very disappointing. I made these for my daughter to take to school for her birthday.
This is a great idea
that’s so cute……
CHOCOLATE ADDICT *-*
SO COOL AND CUTE!!!!!!!!!!!!!
i want it *-*
How clever!
Your strawberry Santa hats seem to be making Christmas sweeter for so many people this year, I hope *you* have happy holidays too.
Oo, I ma so making these over Christmas, thank you!
So making these!!
Cutest treat ever!
Cute blog! I love these!
wooooooooowwwwwwwwwwwwwwww!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
OMG These are so adorable!! My girls are gonna love it!
Oh my word! Adorable!! My kids would be in heaven with these!
I am sharing this link on my facebook page right now.. http://www.facebook.com/bylisajay
This just became my son’s school snack for next week
Hey Daisy,
I’ve credited you for the pic on my blog, thanks for the idea and pic, and sorry for my oversight!! Have a great Christmas!
One word: Irresistible!
Britt4X4 try this site for your converstion
http://allrecipes.com/howto/cup-to-gram-conversions/
Ahh, thank you so much
Thanks so much for sharing…I am putting these on my list of treats to try out for the holidays
OMG I LOVE these!!! Brilliant idea!!
Aah, so cute
I really wanna make this :< But I cant really find the measurements on google for grams and such, seeing im Dutch and we dont work with cups here :'(. Do you have any idea?
Thanks~
Hey Britt4x4,
Go to this link – I found it recently for the same reason and its awesome – has grams, cups and mls conversions for evberything
scroll right on through until you see the heading:
Cup conversions for metric & imperial
and thats what you’re looking for
http://www.taste.com.au/how+to/articles/369/weights+measurement+charts
Hummm….. They seem to be delicious!!!!
I think this is, by far, the cutest thing I have seen in a great while. It also looks delicious. I need to share this with everyone. Thanks!
LOVE this easy Christmas treat. Re posted it on my blog. Thanks!
Parece delicioso…vou fazê-lo no Natal
tonight’s dessert!!!
Love this idea! How cute!
This is simply irresistible! I have shared this on my blog http://rainbowlollies.blogspot.com/
Thank you for posting this
These will be awesome at my Ugly Sweater party. They will be so festive, especially paired with the Dirty Girl Scouts (Peppermint Schnapps and Hot Chocolate… with a Candy Cane for Garnish)!! Thanks for the idea.
So cute! My little nieces and nephews will love these! Thanks for sharing
Oh lordy, that is so cute! Love it, thanks for sharing!
Oh my goodness… these are the cutest! Totally making them for my girls
Hi Daisy! I just found your site via Neatorama, and I just love your blog! And those adorable little santa hats! I am absolutely going to make these for our Christmas party this year! Where do you find the mascarpone cheese? I have never found any at our store before….
i really think that the brownies look really good i want some
If only strawberries were in season in December!
oh so cuteee… easy to make these….I will make them for Christmas… thank you for sharing… Merry Christmas to everyone and enjoy…Rebecca Forinash
These are so cute! I can’t wait to make these
love ‘em!
Mr. Hankies! [grin]
These are so friggen cute!
I’m halfway through making these and want to know, if I make these and construct them tonight, will they hold in the fridge in airtight container till the morning?
Btw love the idea, just gorgeous
hi!
i’m from south africa and just love this! thanks for the awsum recipe!!!! just a quick question… what is powdered sugar? just normal sugar?
thanks! looking forward to making these!
Hi Adrienne
Powdered suger is Icing sugar
From another South African
Thanks Juanita!
is there anything else you could use instead of Mascarpone Buttercream?
Is there anything else you would reccomend instead of the Mascarpone Buttercream?
white chocolate buttercream icing
wow extremely cute!
i’ll be making these this holiday:)
thanks for sharing
Like others have said, these are so adorable! I bet they are delicious too. I will make these for my office Christmas party
This is so cute and combines two of my favorite things-Strawberries and chocolate! Gotta give it a try!
I am so making these to bring to work later this week! Adorable!
Just love cute food, especially dessert.
I just made them for my get-together tonight! They look great! I didn’t have a round cookie-cutter so I used a tomato paste can. Worked out nicely. Thank you for the wonderful idea! My kids have been eyeing them since they got home from school
If you’re super lazy, you could just make the santa hats on top of 2 bite brownies.
How adorable! I will try this one out using a gluten-free recipe I use and yes, perhaps with a little ganache under the strawberry
i didnt read the other comments so i dont know if this was suggested or not but you could use a mini muffin pan and not have to worry about cutting shapes out.
These are the cutest little things! So creative.
I want to make these but what are the chances of getting strawberries at Christmas time?
Strawberries in abundance down here in the Southern Hemisphere
You get to enjoy a white Christmas though, something I’ve never experienced. Have a fabulous Christmas and a Happy New Year!!
Definitely doing these for the office christmas party! Hopefully can make enough for about 80 people! Looks like such fun!
Sue,
It would probably be more efficient for you to make the brownies in mini muffin pans rather than cutting rounds using a cookie cutter.
daisy
You know, I thought I’d cheat and buy a Sara Lee uniced chocolate cake as I have so many people to “feed”. If I can find a slab cake that is!
love these, but will do the buttercream with diary free marg instead great.
Does anyone know where could I get the Mascarpone Cheese from?
Emely
Mascarpone is carried by most major grocery stores, it just not something you normally look for. If not try an Italian specialty store, its sold by the tub, kind of about the size of the philly whipped cream cheese, and usually about $4-5 a tub. If you can’t find it regular cream cheese wild do.
Cheers Dennis
Emely, You’ll find it in the fridge section, probably near the cream, cream cheese and cottage cheese sections.
Also, give it a really good beating (ha!) because some Mascapones can be a bit on the grainy side.
how long do you think these could stay out of the fridge, say at a party?
Sarah,
Honestly, I don’t know. I had them out for about 30 minutes, and they were all gone! They didn’t last very long. You can also substitute the mascarpone buttercream with white chocolate, if you’ll be leaving them out for a while.
daisy
This made me smile as I never associated strawberries with Santa’s hat. Very Creative!
These are absolutely adorable!
Just darling and sound yummy too! Thank you for sharing. Did you use a biscuit cutter on these?
Thanks! I used a small round cookie cutter for these.
Looks great! I will be making these for Christmas for sure! My 2 year old will love it!
The Santa brownies look fantastic, what a great idea!
Oh my goodness, so cute! What an awesome idea for a holiday party for kids OR adults!
Thanks for sharing – Joanne
Cute
I absolutely love this!! Thanks for sharing!!
Daisy:
Can you send me your email address? Thanks! littleladieswholunch@gmail.com
Those are just to cute.
Love these
O these are sooo cute! I saw them on tastespotting and just had to come and take a closer look. Brilliant idea for the holidays!
anyone know if that cheese is allergy friendly? DD has to have gluten and nut free (free from possible traces too)
You can just omit the mascarpone and make a buttercream. I think mascarpone is gluten-free, but I’m not sure. Check the label on the packaging.
More than a treat to the palate…they are a feast for the eyes too. They make the Christmas celebration extra special. You are totally creative! I love your idea.=)
sooo nice and cute!
These are so cute! What a great way to make a Christmas dessert without having to get all fancy-schmancy – love it!
Oh my gosh, these are too stinkin’ adorable.
These are such delicately cute ideas to play around with brownies! you’d expect such ideas with cupcakes, but this is double the surprise! I love that you used mascarpone buttercream! double to excitement!
That is just so cute! I love it!
those are so seriously adorable, i can’t WAIT to make them!! thanks for the holiday cuteness!
Thanks for all the Santa Hat Brownie love. Although I can’t take credit for coming up with the idea, I think these are absolutely fab! They were sooo good and a big hit!!
Omg, these are adorable. I HATE TO make them for Christmas this year. Gorgeous!!
Those are adorable!!
These are unbelievably cute! I might just make them for Christmas dinner (well, dessert)
The strawberry hats are adorable!
These are really cute and yummy looking. Looks like a project that I could make with my girls. They won’t last long, though. Thank you for sharing.
I love those little strawberry hats! How perfect! Definitely getting in the holiday spirit
~Ruth
so cute, daisy. i need to make these this season.
Daisy, these are SO great! Love these!!!!!
Oh wow! So, so cute! I’m a little jealous – I want them. Thanks for sharing
I LOVE these! I may have to scrap the cake I had planned to make this afternoon to make these instead – thanks for posting such a lovely idea.
this is so cool! This will be on my Christmas menu.
Aw, these are way too cute! I love how festive occasions (I say “festive occasions” because Halloween, Valentines, St. Pat’s aren’t actually holidays) inspire people to do fun things with their food!
Normally I’m a bit of a “bah, humbug!” kind of person, but I think my little cousins would flip out if I brought some of these to Christmas dinner.
Pssst — is there an extra chocolate layer under that buttercream? I think I see something fudgy peeking out!
Yes, I had some extra ganache so I just piled it on…sorta like gilding the lily. It’s our little secret.