Impress your guests with these frosted Santa hat brownies this holiday. They are homemade brownies shaped like Santa hats and topped with velvety, smooth pink velvet frosting.
You read right pink not red as it usually is. These browned butter brownies disappear quickly in a crowd. They are such a fun treat that each bite brings a touch of holiday magic.
I love having a homemade treat ready for family and friends, but this recipe works just as well with a boxed brownie mix when you’re short on time.
The result is still rich, chocolatey, and topped with creamy frosting for that Santa hat look. Nothing beats a fudgy frosted brownie during the holidays.
If you want another fun idea, check out my brownie balls, they’re so dreamy.
For more Santa treats, try our Santa bag Oreos, Santa hat brownie bites, or Santa hat cupcakes.
The best part…
- Made From Scratch: Every brownie bite has that rich, homemade flavor, paired with creamy frosting that takes it over the top.
- A Holiday Sweet Treat: This fits every holiday moment, from classroom parties to cozy movie nights with family.
- Easy to Decorate: The steps are simple, so beginners can pipe the hats with confidence, and experienced bakers can add their own flair.
- Customize It: Change up the Santa hats with sprinkles, tinted frosting, melts, or fun toppings. There are endless ways to make them festive.
Ingredients
Brownies
- Unsalted butter, (browned): Adds a nutty, rich flavor.
- Semisweet chocolate chips: Melts into the batter for fudgy brownies.
- White and brown sugar: Sweetens while balancing the chocolate.
- Salt: Enhances all flavors.
- Eggs: Provide structure and moisture.
- Vanilla extract: Adds a warm, aromatic note.
- Cocoa powder: Intensifies the chocolate flavor.
- All-purpose flour: Provides structure without heaviness.
Frosting
- Unsalted butter, (softened): Creates a creamy base.
- Cream cheese, (softened): Adds richness and smoothness.
- Powdered sugar: Sweetens and thickens the frosting.
- Pink food coloring: Gives the signature Santa hat color.
* Need to print out this recipe? You’ll find a printable recipe card at the end of this post. Enjoy!
How to make Santa hat brownies
Prep the oven and pan: Preheat to 350°F (175°C) and line a 9×9 pan with parchment paper.
Make the brownies
Combine browned butter* and chocolate chips until smooth.
Stir in the white and brown sugar plus salt.
Add the eggs and vanilla extract. Then sift in cocoa powder and flour.
Fold gently until just combined to keep the brownies fudgy.
Pour the batter into the pan, smooth the top.
Bake for 35-40 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out mostly clean. Let cool completely.
Remove from the pan and slice horizontally in half. Cut each half into triangles.
* To brown butter, add it to a sauce pan and melt on medium heat for 5 to 8 mins.
Make the cream cheese frosting
Beat butter and cream cheese until smooth. Gradually mix in powdered sugar.
Take out a small portion of the frosting and leave it white for the hat trim and pom-poms, then tint the larger portion pink.
Decorate
Pipe white frosting along the base and a small dot at the tip of each triangle.
Fill the center with pink frosting, sprinkle festive decorations, and your Santa Hat Brownies are ready to enjoy.
Substitutions & Variations
- Boxed Brownie Mix: You can cut a corner, buy your favorite brownies from the box, and make them. Just mix and bake as the box directed. Once cool, slice and decorate the brownies the same way.
- Frosting: You are welcome to change the flavor or color of the frosting. (Red is traditional). You can buy frosting, make your own, or even opt for a royal icing style if you want a different texture.
- Decorations: Feel free to use candies to decorate your holiday brownies differently. Create some texture or pops of color you place over the frosting.
- Marshmallow Top: Instead of white frosting for the tip of the hat, add a small dollop of frosting and place a mini marshmallow on top to mimic the puff on the top of Santa’s hat.
Serve with
Pair these brownies with hot cocoa, festive coffee drinks, or a glass of milk for the kids. They also look great on a holiday dessert platter alongside cookies or cupcakes.
For more festive treats, try 4th of July Brownies and Red Velvet Brownies.
How to store
Store your brownies in the fridge in a single layer in an airtight container. They will last 4-7 days in the refrigerator. They are best eaten within the first few days of being made.
You can also freeze any brownies you don’t plan to eat immediately. Place them in a freezer container in a single layer. Freeze for 1-3 months. When ready to enjoy them, thaw overnight in the fridge.
Helpful Tips
- Line Pan with Parchment Paper: Lining your pan with parchment paper before baking will ensure you can easily remove the brownies from the pan.
- Sharp Knife: When cutting the brownies, use a sharp knife to get clean and crisp edges. Make sure to wipe your blade clean between each slice.
- Cool Brownies Completely: Before you go to decorate the brownies, make sure they are thoroughly cooled. Otherwise, the frosting will melt into the brownies.
- Frosting: If your powdered sugar has clumps, I highly suggest sifting the powdered sugar first to create that silky smooth texture to your frosting.
FAQs
Yes, bake the brownies a day in advance and frost them right before serving to keep the frosting fresh.
Absolutely. Pink and white store-bought frosting works if you’re short on time.
Yes, though semisweet gives a better balance with the sweet frosting.
These Santa Hat Brownies are a playful, festive dessert that’s easy to make and guaranteed to delight.
Perfect for Christmas parties, family gatherings, or a cozy holiday night, they combine fudgy chocolate, creamy frosting, and a fun Santa hat design.
Happy baking!
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Santa Hat Frosted Brownies
Equipment
- 9×9-inch baking pan
- Piping bags
Ingredients
Brownies
- ½ cup unsalted butter (browned)
- 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
- 1 cup white granulated sugar
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 3 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup cocoa powder
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
Frosting
- ¾ cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 8 ounces cream cheese (softened)
- 5 cups powdered sugar
- Pink food coloring
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 9×9 pan with parchment paper.
- In a mixing bowl, melt the browned butter with the semisweet chocolate chips, stirring until smooth.
- Add the sugars and salt to the chocolate mixture. Beat in the eggs, then stir in the vanilla extract.
- Sift in the cocoa powder and flour, folding gently until just incorporated. Avoid overmixing.
- Spread the batter evenly into the prepared pan and bake for 35-40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out mostly clean.
- Let the brownies cool completely in the pan, then lift them out using the parchment paper.
- Slice the cooled brownies in half horizontally. Cut each half into triangles to form Santa hat shapes.
- To make the frosting, beat the softened butter and cream cheese together until creamy and smooth.
- Gradually add the powdered sugar, mixing until fully combined. Set aside a small amount of frosting to keep white for the trim and pom-poms, then add pink coloring to the remaining larger batch.
- Spoon each frosting color into separate piping bags, cutting a slightly larger tip on the pink frosting bag.
- Pipe white frosting along the base of each triangle and a small dot at the tip to mimic the hat trim and pom-pom.
- Fill the center of each hat with the pink frosting.
- Decorate with sprinkles if desired and serve. Enjoy your festive Santa hat brownies!
Notes
- To brown butter, add it to a sauce pan and melt on medium heat for 5 to 8 mins.
- Make sure brownies are completely cooled before frosting to prevent melting.
- Use parchment paper for easy removal and clean edges.
- Cut brownies gently to maintain the triangle shape.
- Adjust frosting tips to control the size of your hat trim and pom-poms.
- You can also use mini marshmallows hat for trimmings and pom poms if you prefer.
Nutrition
