Santa Strawberries

santa strawberries

ingredients
Frosting:
1/4 cup mascarpone cheese, at room temperature
1/4 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 cup powdered sugar
Santas:
12 large strawberries
24 mini chocolate chips

Directions
Special equipment: Pastry bag fitted with a small star piping tip

For the frosting: 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. Using a spatula, transfer the frosting to a piping bag fitted with a small star piping tip.

For the Santas: 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.

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.

Recipe courtesy Giada De Laurentiis