Step 1: Preheat and Prepare
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×9-inch baking pan or line it with parchment paper for easy removal. This ensures your brownies come out perfectly without sticking to the pan.

Step 2: Make the Brownie Batter
In a large bowl, whisk together the melted butter and sugar until smooth and combined. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, followed by the vanilla extract.

Next, sift together the cocoa powder, flour, salt, and baking powder in a separate bowl. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing just until combined. Be careful not to overmix—the batter should be thick and fudgy.

Step 3: Bake the Brownies
Pour the brownie batter into the prepared pan, spreading it evenly with a spatula. Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out mostly clean (a few moist crumbs are okay).

Once baked, remove from the oven and let the brownies cool completely in the pan before cutting them into squares. Cooling the brownies ensures that they hold their shape when you decorate them.

Step 4: Make the Frosting
While the brownies are cooling, it’s time to make the whipped cream. In a chilled mixing bowl, combine the heavy whipping cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract. Using an electric mixer, beat the cream on high speed for about 3-5 minutes, or until soft peaks form. Be careful not to overwhip, or you’ll end up with butter instead of cream!

Step 5: Assemble the Santa Hats
Once your brownies have cooled and been cut into squares, it’s time to assemble your Santa hats!

• Top each brownie with a dollop of whipped cream. Use a spoon or an icing bag if you want a cleaner, more uniform look.
• Slice the strawberries: Cut the green tops off and slice the strawberries to form a triangular shape that fits neatly on top of the whipped cream.
• Place the strawberry on top of the whipped cream to create the iconic Santa hat.
• Dust with powdered sugar (optional): For an extra touch, lightly dust the finished Santa hats with powdered sugar to give them that snowy effect.