Oh my goodness, the holidays! They’re my *favorite* time of year, especially when it comes to baking. The smell of cinnamon, nutmeg, and chocolate wafting through the house? Pure bliss! And you know what’s even better than just baking? Baking EASY and adorable treats! This year, I’m absolutely obsessed with these ridiculously cute and delicious Santa Hat Brownie Bites. Seriously, they’re the ultimate crowd-pleaser and so simple to make. They’re perfect for your holiday parties, potlucks, or even just a cozy night in by the fire – you know, the works!
I remember last year, I made a giant batch of these with my niece and nephew. It was such a blast watching them decorate and get all excited about the sprinkles. Those happy faces were priceless. And the best part? They devoured every single one! Let me tell you, this recipe for these Santa Hat Brownie Bites is a cinch and will become a new go-to for all of your holiday festivities.
Why You’ll Love These *Santa Hat Brownie Bites*
Okay, let me tell you why you’re gonna fall head-over-heels for these little guys. Seriously, they’re the BEST!
- Super Easy to Make: Seriously, these are a breeze, even if you’re a total newbie in the kitchen.
- Festive & Fun: Hello, adorable Santa hats! They’re guaranteed to bring smiles to everyone’s faces.
- Delicious, Decadent Taste: Brownies + frosting + sprinkles? Yes, please! The flavor is just *chef’s kiss*.
- Perfect for Any Occasion: Christmas parties, cookie swaps, or just a treat-yourself kind of night – they’re perfect!
Ingredients You’ll Need for *Santa Hat Brownie Bites*
Alright, let’s gather our supplies! Don’t worry, the ingredient list is short and sweet. You probably have most of these in your pantry already!
For the Brownies:
- 1 box of your favorite brownie mix (I like the fudgy ones!)
- The ingredients the brownie mix calls for (usually oil, eggs, and water)
For the Santa Hats:
- 1 container (about 16 ounces) of creamy white frosting
- Red food coloring (gel or liquid, your call!)
- Chocolate sprinkles (the mini ones are the cutest!)
Step-by-Step Instructions: Making Your *Santa Hat Brownie Bites*
Okay, friends, let’s get baking! These Santa Hat Brownie Bites are seriously simple, but the results are so darn cute. Here’s exactly how to do it. Follow along, and you’ll be munching on these festive treats in no time!
Preparing the Brownie Base
First things first… Preheat your oven! You’ll want it to be at whatever temperature your brownie mix box tells you – usually around 350°F (175°C). Next, grab your mini muffin tin. Make sure you lightly grease it – a little cooking spray does the trick perfectly! Now, prepare the brownie mix according to the package directions. Don’t overmix! It’s better to have a few lumps than tough brownies. Carefully pour the brownie batter into the mini muffin tin, filling each cup about ⅔ full. Into the oven they go for about 18-20 minutes. Keep an eye on them, because ovens vary! You want them to be set and firm-ish. Let those babies cool completely in the tin. This is super important or the frosting will melt and slide right off!
Creating the Festive Frosting
While the brownie bites are cooling, let’s get that frosting ready! In a medium bowl, take your store-bought white frosting. (I’m all about shortcuts, okay?!) Add a few drops of red food coloring – I prefer gel food coloring because it gives you the best, brightest red, but liquid works just fine. Mix, mix, mix until you get the perfect shade of red, baby! Now comes the fun part: frosting! Once the brownie bites are completely cooled (trust me!), frost the tops with that gorgeous red frosting. Then, add a generous dollop of white frosting to the top of each red-frosted brownie bite to look like the fluffy white part of the Santa hat. You can use a piping bag with a round tip for a more professional look, but a spoon works just as well. I often just use a ziplock bag with the corner snipped off! You do you, boo!
Adding the Finishing Touches
This is the super fun part, especially if you have little helpers! Sprinkle those chocolate sprinkles generously onto the wet white frosting. Don’t be shy! This is where you get to unleash your inner sprinkle monster! And that’s it! You’ve got yourself the cutest and most delicious Santa Hat Brownie Bites ever!
Tips for Perfect *Santa Hat Brownie Bites*
Listen, even the simplest recipes can have a few sneaky pitfalls. But don’t you worry, I’ve got your back! Here are a few tricks I’ve learned from my many, *many* brownie-making adventures. First off, don’t overbake those brownies! Nobody likes dry, crumbly brownies, right? Keep a close eye on them during baking, and pull them out when a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with just a few moist crumbs clinging to it. Also, when it comes to the frosting, make sure your white frosting is at room temp. This helps with a smooth texture when you add the food coloring — otherwise, you’ll get nasty lumps. And finally, if, like me, you are a bit frosting challenged, pipe with a ziplock bag or use a small spoon. Just sayin’!
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions for *Santa Hat Brownie Bites*
Okay, let’s talk ingredients! These Santa Hat Brownie Bites are pretty flexible, so don’t sweat it if you need to make a few swaps. The most important thing is to have fun!
First off, the brownie mix: You can totally use your favorite store-bought brand. Or, if you’re feeling ambitious and have a killer homemade brownie recipe (go you!), you can absolutely use that instead. I love the Ghirardelli mix. But honestly, any boxed mix will do the trick — the holidays are busy! For the frosting, well, any creamy white frosting will do. Cream cheese frosting would also be amazing! And about the sprinkles, use whatever you love! Mini chocolate, nonpareils, or even some festive red and green sprinkles would be super cute!
Make-Ahead & Freezer Tips for *Santa Hat Brownie Bites*
Listen, life gets busy during the holidays, and planning is key! You can totally get a head start with these adorable Santa Hat Brownie Bites. Bake the brownies ahead of time – like, a week or two – and store them in an airtight container at room temperature. The frosting? You can make that a couple of days in advance and keep it in the fridge. When you’re ready to assemble, just frost the brownie bites and add those sprinkles! Boom! Instant holiday cheer! You can also freeze the frosted brownie bites. If I am being extra, I freeze it on a baking sheet, then in a container, until I need them.
Serving Suggestions for Your Festive Treats
So, you’ve got these amazing Santa Hat Brownie Bites… now what to serve with them? Honestly, they’re pretty perfect on their own, but let’s make it even more fun! I love pairing them with a cozy mug of hot cocoa (marshmallows are a MUST!), a big glass of milk, or even a festive eggnog latte. Or hey, go all out and add some sugar cookies, and other Christmas treats!
Storage and Reheating Instructions
So, you made a batch of these amazing Santa Hat Brownie Bites and have some leftovers? Lucky you! To keep them tasting their best, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days. You can also pop them in the fridge if it’s super warm where you are – they might just firm up a bit! I personally don’t reheat these, because they’re perfect straight from the container, but if you want to, well, that’s up to you!
Nutritional Information Disclaimer
Heads up, everyone! The nutritional info for these Santa Hat Brownie Bites is just an estimate. It can change depending on the brands and ingredients you use. So, take those numbers with a grain of salt, okay?
Print
Santa Hat Brownie Bites
- Total Time: 35 min
- Yield: 24 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These festive brownie bites are perfect for the holidays. They’re easy to make and fun to eat.
Ingredients
- 1 box brownie mix
- Ingredients for brownie mix (oil, eggs, water)
- 1 container white frosting
- Red food coloring
- Chocolate sprinkles
Instructions
- Prepare brownie mix according to package directions.
- Bake brownies in a mini muffin tin.
- Let brownies cool completely.
- Tint white frosting red.
- Frost the top of each brownie bite with red frosting.
- Add a dollop of white frosting to the top of each brownie to look like a Santa hat.
- Sprinkle with chocolate sprinkles.
Notes
- You can use store-bought or homemade brownie mix.
- Feel free to use different sprinkles.
- Prep Time: 15 min
- Cook Time: 20 min
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bite
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 50mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 10mg
Keywords: Santa Hat Brownie Bites, brownies, Christmas dessert, holiday treats, easy recipe