Adorable strawberry Santas

If you’ve got family coming over this Christmas, surprise them with an irresistibly adorable (and delicious!) platter of miniature Santas! Better yet, get the grandkids to help you make them, or put some of the adults to work on these.

After all, many hands make light work and many mouths make good gossip!

Ingredients

Frosting:

• 1/4 cup mascarpone cheese, at room temperature
• 1/4 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• Pastry bag fitted with a small star piping tip

Santas

• 12 large strawberries
• 24 mini chocolate chips

Method

For the frosting

1. In a medium bowl, using an electric hand mixer, beat the mascarpone and vanilla until smooth. Gradually beat in the powdered sugar until the mixture is thick and smooth.
2. Using a spatula, transfer the frosting to a piping bag fitted with a small star piping tip.

For the Santas:

1. Using a paring knife, cut off the leaf-end of each strawberry to make a flat surface. Cut a 1/2- to 3/4-inch piece from the pointed end of each strawberry and reserve as the hats.
2. Place the strawberries, wide-side down, on a work surface. Pipe a 3/4-inch-high swirl of frosting on each strawberry. Place the hats on top and pipe a small ball of frosting on top of the hats. Press two chocolate chips, pointed-sides inward, into the swirl of frosting to make eyes.