If you’re looking for a whimsical, fun dessert that’s as cute as it is delicious, you’re going to adore this Easy Brownie Gnome Treats Recipe. These little brownie bite gnomes are not only super simple to make but also bring an instant smile to anyone who sees them — perfect for parties, holidays, or just when you want a magical twist on your usual brownies. Trust me, once you try these, you’ll find yourself making them over and over!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Super Easy Prep: Uses mostly store-bought components, making it achievable even on busy days.
- Adorable Presentation: The gnome design adds a fun, festive vibe that’s perfect for all ages.
- Customizable Flavors: You can swap frosting or toppings to suit your taste or dietary needs.
- Great for Parties: These little treats are a big hit and easy to serve bite-sized portions.
Ingredients You’ll Need
I’ve found that using simple, fresh ingredients really highlights this recipe’s charm. The brownie bites give you a rich chocolate base, while the cream cheese frosting adds just the right amount of tangy sweetness. And those juicy berries? They make the perfect “hat” for our gnome friends.
- Brownie bites: You can grab these ready-made or make your own if you prefer more control over sweetness and texture.
- Cream cheese frosting: A smooth, tangy frosting pairs beautifully here; homemade will make it fresh, but store-bought works fine for convenience.
- Fresh strawberries: Pick firm, ripe berries with no soft spots—this helps keep the gnomes looking perfect and prevents sogginess.
- Reese’s Puffs cereal: This quirky choice for the noses adds a fun crunch and chocolate-peanut butter flavor.
Variations
I love putting my own twist on this Easy Brownie Gnome Treats Recipe depending on the occasion. Feel free to personalize it with different toppings or frostings to make it your own signature dessert.
- Variation: For a nut-free version, I swap the Reese’s Puffs for mini marshmallows or small fruit pieces like blueberries — just as adorable and allergy-friendly.
- Variation: If you want to add a little festive flair, try swapping the strawberries for raspberries or using colored cream cheese frosting.
- Variation: To make it vegan, look for dairy-free frosting and use vegan brownie bites; I’ve tested this and it still turns out delightfully cute and tasty.
How to Make Easy Brownie Gnome Treats Recipe
Step 1: Prep Your Strawberries for the Perfect Gnome Hat
Start by thoroughly washing and drying your strawberries—this step is key because any moisture can make your treats soggy. Then carefully remove the green leaves and hollow out the stem with a small paring knife, but be gentle! You want to keep the berry’s shape intact so it looks like a cute little hat.
Step 2: Pipe the Frosting Beard Like a Pro
Now for the fun part: frosting! Fill a piping bag (or a sandwich bag with a tiny corner cut off if you don’t have one) with your cream cheese frosting. Pipe it thickly over the top and down one side of each brownie bite, shaping it so it looks like a fluffy beard. This frosting beard is what transforms your simple brownie bites into charming little gnome faces.
Step 3: Add the Strawberry Hat and Nose
Top each frosted brownie with one of those prepped strawberries you made earlier. Then, gently press a single Reese’s Puffs cereal piece onto the frosting just under the strawberry—this is your gnome’s nose! Don’t press too hard; you want it secure but the frosting should keep everything in place.
Step 4: Chill and Serve Your Sweet Gnomes
Once assembled, pop your brownie gnomes into the refrigerator for at least an hour. This chilling time lets the frosting set nicely so they won’t fall apart when served. From my experience, these treats look best the day you make them but can stay fresh in the fridge and still taste great for up to two days.
Pro Tips for Making Easy Brownie Gnome Treats Recipe
- Keep Strawberries Dry: I learned the hard way that any leftover moisture ruins the texture, so drying them thoroughly is non-negotiable.
- Use a Controlled Piping Tip: Even if you don’t have specialized tools, cutting a very small corner on a sandwich bag helps you pipe neat frosting beards quickly.
- Choose Fresh Brownie Bites: Whether homemade or store-bought, fresher brownies hold together better and taste so much richer.
- Chill Before Serving: Refrigerating helps set everything and makes handling easier, so you avoid messy gooey beards when you serve.
How to Serve Easy Brownie Gnome Treats Recipe
Garnishes
I usually keep garnishing simple—those Reese’s Puffs for noses do the trick. But for a festive touch, sprinkling a tiny dusting of powdered sugar or edible glitter really makes the gnome hats pop. Sometimes I toss a few mini mint leaves nearby to resemble a forest floor; it’s a fun detail that guests always comment on.
Side Dishes
Because they’re sweet and rich, I like pairing these brownie gnomes with light sides like fresh fruit salad or a scoop of vanilla ice cream. For parties, they’re fantastic alongside a hot cocoa station—perfect to dunk and enjoy!
Creative Ways to Present
For holidays or birthdays, I arrange the gnomes on a bed of shredded coconut dyed green for a “forest floor” effect. I’ve also used rustic wooden trays or colorful cake stands to highlight their charm. Little name cards or forest-themed decorations make them even more whimsical and are always a hit with kids.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I keep leftover brownie gnome treats in an airtight container in the fridge. They stay fresh and maintain their shape for about 1-2 days, although I always recommend enjoying them sooner rather than later for the best texture and appearance.
Freezing
I usually don’t freeze these because the strawberries don’t thaw well, but if you want to prep brownie bites ahead, you can freeze those separately and assemble fresh right before serving. This keeps your gnomes looking and tasting their best.
Reheating
Since these are best served chilled and have delicate fresh fruit and frosting, I don’t recommend reheating. Just let refrigerated leftovers come briefly to room temperature before serving if you prefer a softer bite.
FAQs
-
Can I make the brownie bites from scratch?
Absolutely! Homemade brownie bites are delicious and let you control the sweetness and texture. Just bake brownies in mini muffin pans or cut larger brownies into bite-sized squares. Just be sure to cool them completely before decorating.
-
What’s the best way to pipe frosting if I don’t have a piping bag?
I discovered that a simple sandwich plastic bag with a tiny corner snipped off works great—it’s an easy hack that lets you control frosting flow for neat beards without special tools.
-
Can I substitute the strawberry hats with other fruits?
Yes! Raspberries or small blackberries work well as alternatives and can add different colors or flavors. Just make sure they’re firm and dry before assembling.
-
How long can I keep these treats before they go bad?
Since fresh strawberries are involved, it’s best to enjoy them within 1-2 days when refrigerated. After that, the fruit can lose freshness and affect texture.
Final Thoughts
I absolutely love how these Easy Brownie Gnome Treats Recipe bring a little magic and whimsy to dessert time. They’re surprisingly simple to put together but always impress everyone with their cute design and delicious taste. Whether you’re baking for a party or just a fun family treat, these gnome brownies add that playful touch that makes any day special. Give them a try—you’ll be thrilled with the smiles and compliments!
Print
Easy Brownie Gnome Treats Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Yield: 24 brownie bite gnomes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
Description
These adorable Brownie Bite Gnomes are a fun and festive treat perfect for any occasion. Featuring moist brownie bites topped with creamy cream cheese frosting, fresh strawberry hats, and Reese’s Puffs cereal noses, these no-bake snacks come together quickly and deliver a whimsical dessert that’s sure to impress. Easy to assemble and chill, they offer a delightful combination of rich chocolate, tangy frosting, and fruity freshness.
Ingredients
Brownie Bites
- 24 brownie bites, store-bought or homemade
Cream Cheese Frosting
- 1 cup cream cheese frosting, store-bought or homemade
Fruit
- 24 fresh strawberries, washed and dried
Toppings
- 24 Reese’s Puffs cereal pieces
Instructions
- Prepare Strawberries: Wash the strawberries thoroughly and let them dry completely. Remove the green leaves and carefully cut out the stem with a small knife to create a small hole, being careful not to cut straight across the tops so the berries keep their shape.
- Prepare Frosting Bag: Place the cream cheese frosting into a piping bag or a sandwich bag with a small corner snipped off to create a piping nozzle for easy and controlled frosting application.
- Pipe Frosting Beard: Pipe the frosting over the top of each brownie bite and down one side to resemble a gnome beard, creating the face area below the strawberry “hat.”
- Add Strawberry Hat and Nose: Place a strawberry on top of each brownie bite, positioning it to look like the gnome’s hat. Then press one Reese’s Puffs cereal piece gently onto the frosting as the nose.
- Chill and Serve: Refrigerate the assembled brownie bite gnomes immediately for at least one hour to allow the frosting to set firmly. These treats are best enjoyed the day they are made but can be stored in the fridge for 1 to 2 additional days.
Notes
- Ensure strawberries are completely dry before assembling to prevent sogginess.
- If you don’t have a piping bag, a small plastic sandwich bag with a corner cut works well for piping frosting.
- Use fresh strawberries and consume within 2 days for best taste and appearance.
- Brownie bites can be homemade or store-bought depending on convenience and preference.
- Refrigerate immediately after preparing to keep frosting firm and fresh.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 brownie bite gnome
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 90mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 3.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 21g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 15mg