If you’re looking for a fun, adorable, and downright delicious treat to impress your friends and family, you have to try this Chocolate Brownie Gnome Snacks Recipe. These little gnome-inspired brownies are super simple to make, look whimsical, and taste like a chocolaty dream with a fresh fruity twist. Trust me, once you nail this recipe, it’ll become your go-to party pleaser or just a cute weekend snack to brighten your day.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Easy and Fast Assembly: I love how quick these gnome snacks come together with just a few simple ingredients.
- Playful Presentation: You’ll find that the cute gnome look instantly brightens up any dessert table or snack platter.
- Perfect Flavor Combo: The rich chocolate brownies combined with tangy cream cheese frosting and fresh strawberries create a balanced and delightful treat.
- Kid-Friendly Fun: My family goes crazy for these, and they’re a great way to get kids involved in the kitchen.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic behind this Chocolate Brownie Gnome Snacks Recipe is how these simple ingredients come together to form a visually charming and tasty treat. Plus, you can easily find everything at your local store or whip some of it up at home!
- Brownie bites: Whether you grab pre-made bites or bake your own, these form the delicious base – I usually make mine for that fresh homemade touch.
- Cream cheese frosting: This frosting adds the soft “beard” texture—go for fresh, creamy, and not too sweet for best results.
- Fresh strawberries: The star “hat” of the gnome; look for firm, ripe berries to avoid sogginess.
- Reese’s Puffs cereal pieces: These tiny cereal puffs create the perfect little “nose”—don’t skip them for the authentic gnome look!
Variations
One of the best things about this Chocolate Brownie Gnome Snacks Recipe is how easy it is to customize. I’ve played around with toppings and flavors, so don’t hesitate to get creative and make it your own!
- Nut-Free Version: I swapped out Reese’s Puffs for small round candies like M&Ms when making these for a nut-free gathering, and they turned out just as cute.
- Vegan Adaptation: Using vegan brownie bites and dairy-free cream cheese frosting worked well for me when my friend came over with dietary restrictions.
- Seasonal Fruit Twist: During berry season, I like to mix in raspberries or blueberries in place of strawberries for a flavor boost and different color.
- Extra Crunch: Sometimes I sprinkle crushed nuts or mini chocolate chips on the frosting beard for an added texture surprise.
How to Make Chocolate Brownie Gnome Snacks Recipe
Step 1: Prep Your Strawberries Like a Pro
Start by washing your strawberries thoroughly and letting them dry completely — this is crucial to keep the brownies from getting soggy. Remove the green leaves, then carefully use a small knife to cut out the stem from the top, creating a little hollow without slicing straight across, so the berries keep their charming shape.
Step 2: Ready the Cream Cheese Frosting
Put the cream cheese frosting into a piping bag; if you don’t have one handy, grab a sandwich bag and snip off a tiny corner—this is a trick I discovered after forgetting my piping bag one time. It gives you just enough control to pipe the “beard” onto the brownies beautifully.
Step 3: Make the Gnome Faces
Pipe the frosting generously over the top and down one side of each brownie bite to create the beard. Then plop a strawberry right on top—that’s your gnome’s hat. For the nose, press a single Reese’s Puff cereal piece into the frosting just below the strawberry. Isn’t that adorable? I swear this step makes me smile every time.
Step 4: Chill and Marvel
Pop your finished gnomes into the refrigerator for at least one hour to let the frosting set nicely. I like to make them a little ahead of time so the flavors meld—and the frosting stays firm. These are best eaten fresh, but I’ll cover tips for storing below if you want to prep in advance.
Pro Tips for Making Chocolate Brownie Gnome Snacks Recipe
- Keep Strawberries Dry: I learned the hard way that wet strawberries make the brownies soggy—drying them completely is non-negotiable.
- Use a Small Piping Tip: Using a piping bag or a sandwich bag with a very small snipped corner helps pipe neat, beard-like frosting without mess.
- Chill for Best Results: Don’t skip the refrigeration step; it firms up the frosting and makes the gnomes easier to handle and look just right.
- Swap Cereal if Needed: If you can’t find Reese’s Puffs, try similar small round cereals or candies to keep the gnome nose authentic.
How to Serve Chocolate Brownie Gnome Snacks Recipe
Garnishes
For garnishes, I usually keep it simple because the gnomes themselves are such a statement piece! However, a sprinkle of powdered sugar or a few mint leaves around the tray adds a little fresh flair without stealing the spotlight.
Side Dishes
These gnome snacks pair beautifully with a glass of cold milk or a warm mug of coffee. For a party, I like to serve them alongside fresh fruit platters or light finger sandwiches to balance out the sweetness.
Creative Ways to Present
I once arranged these Chocolate Brownie Gnome Snacks Recipe on a rustic wooden board with little pinecones and sprigs of rosemary around—perfect for a winter holiday gathering. For kiddo parties, I set them up in a mini garden theme with edible grass and chocolate “rocks” which was a huge hit!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I usually keep any leftover brownie gnomes in an airtight container in the refrigerator, which helps maintain the frosting’s texture and the fruit’s freshness for up to two days. Just be gentle when stacking them to keep their shape intact.
Freezing
I haven’t had great luck freezing these because the strawberries lose their fresh texture when thawed, and the frosting can separate. For best flavor and texture, I recommend making just what you plan to eat within a couple of days.
Reheating
Since these are best served chilled, I don’t reheat them. But if you want to slightly soften the brownie base, you can let them sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes before serving to take the chill off without compromising the frosting or strawberry freshness.
FAQs
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Can I use regular brownies instead of brownie bites?
Definitely! If you have regular brownies, just cut them into bite-sized squares. Just make sure they’re firm enough to hold up under the frosting and strawberry hat without crumbling.
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What if I don’t have Reese’s Puffs cereal on hand?
No worries! You can substitute with mini chocolate chips, small candy-coated chocolates, or other small round cereal pieces. The key is to have a small, round nose that sticks well into the frosting.
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How far ahead can I assemble these gnome snacks?
I recommend assembling them the same day you plan to serve, but you can prep up to a few hours ahead and refrigerate. Avoid making them more than a day in advance to keep strawberries fresh and frosting firm.
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Can I swap out cream cheese frosting for buttercream?
Sure, you can use buttercream if you prefer, but cream cheese frosting has a tangy flavor that balances the sweetness nicely and gives a great “beard” texture. Just make sure your frosting isn’t too runny.
Final Thoughts
I absolutely love how this Chocolate Brownie Gnome Snacks Recipe brings a bit of whimsy to my kitchen and gets everyone chatting and smiling. When I first tried making them, I never anticipated how simple yet charming such a creation could be. Whether you’re baking for a crowd, a holiday treat, or just because, these little gnomes are a sweet way to spread happiness. Give it a go—you’ll enjoy every bite and the joy it brings along the way!
Print
Chocolate Brownie Gnome Snacks 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 charming Brownie Bite Gnomes are a delightful no-bake treat perfect for festive occasions or playful dessert spreads. Featuring rich brownie bites topped with creamy cream cheese frosting ‘beards,’ fresh strawberry ‘hats,’ and cute Reese’s Puffs cereal ‘noses,’ these whimsical sweets combine simple assembly with eye-catching appeal.
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 using a small knife to create a small hole without cutting straight across the tops, ensuring the berry shape is maintained.
- Prepare Frosting Bag: Transfer the cream cheese frosting into a piping bag or use a sandwich bag with a small corner snipped off to create a makeshift piping nozzle for easy application.
- Pipe Frosting Beard: Pipe the frosting over the top of each brownie bite and down one side to mimic a beard, giving the gnome face character and texture.
- Add Strawberry Hat and Nose: Place a strawberry on top of each brownie bite as the gnome’s hat, then press one Reese’s Puffs cereal piece gently onto the frosting to form the gnome’s nose.
- Chill and Serve: Immediately refrigerate the assembled brownie bite gnomes for at least one hour to allow the frosting to set firmly. Serve chilled for best appearance. Store leftover gnomes covered in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
Notes
- Make sure strawberries are completely dry before assembly to prevent sogginess in the final treat.
- If you don’t have a piping bag, a small plastic sandwich bag with one corner cut off works perfectly as a substitute for piping frosting.
- Use fresh strawberries and consume the assembled gnomes within 2 days to enjoy optimal taste and visual appeal.
- Brownie bites can be homemade or store-bought according to your convenience and preference.
- Refrigerate immediately after preparing to keep the cream cheese frosting firm and fresh.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 brownie bite gnome
- Calories: 130 kcal
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 90 mg
- Fat: 6 g
- Saturated Fat: 3.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 15 mg
