Strawberry Santa Hats is my first post in this year’s Christmas Planning In July Series. Over the last few years, I have taken time in July to make some handmade gifts, start some basic planning and think about presents for people.
As odd as it may seem to do this in July, I am always so grateful for the preparation when it gets to late November and we have birthdays, Christmas parties and end of school celebrations to work around.
You can find my previous Christmas Planning In July series here:
- Christmas Planning In July 2011
- Christmas Planning In July 2010
- Christmas Planning In July 2009
- Christmas Planning In July 2008
These Strawberry Santa Hats are easy to make and a fun activity to do with the kids. While I am not making these in advance obviously as these sweet treats are best devoured on the day they are made, but thinking of any ideas you have tucked away from last Christmas can help you decide on a theme for Christmas 2012 if you haven’t already decided on one.
Strawberry Santa Hats
Ingredients:
- 500 grams strawberries
- 110 grams good quality white chocolate
- 1 teaspoon canola oil
- 1/2 cup desiccated coconut
- 15 – 20 mini marshmallows (half the number of strawberries you have)
Method:
1. Cut the top off the strawberries so as to make a flat base. When choosing strawberries, try for packs that have similar sized strawberries. Really large strawberries don’t tend to work as well.
2. Cut the mini marshmallows in half and set aside.
3. Pour coconut into a small container and line a tray with baking paper.
4. Break up chocolate and place into microwavable bowl. The bowl shouldn’t be too big as you want the melted chocolate to be about 0.75cm – 1cm deep to dip the strawberries into.
5. Melt the chocolate on high for about a minute, stir then melt again for a further 15 seconds or until fully melted. (This time could be less if you have a more powerful microwave.)
6. Add the oil to the chocolate and mix thoroughly so it is well blended. The oil just thins the chocolate slightly, making for easier dipping.
7. Dip the strawberry into the chocolate so you have about 0.5cm coverage up the side of the strawberry.
8. Place the chocolate covered strawberry into the coconut.
9. Flick the coconut up onto the sides. Don’t move the strawberry to much or else you may leave some of the chocolate behind.
10. Place on the tray and gently press on the strawberry to create a flat bottom. Then go through and do the same for all the strawberries.
11. Using a thin stick (I used the end of a chopstick) dap some white chocolate onto one of the halved mini marshmallows and stick it on top of the strawberry. Then go through and do the same for all the strawberries to make your very cute little Strawberry Santa Hats.
12. Place in the fridge for at least an hour until the chocolate is set. These are best eaten on the day they are made. From our 500gms strawberries we made 30 Strawberry Santa Hats.
Have you commenced any planning for Christmas 2012 or am I just the only mad one?
- 500 grams strawberries
- 110 grams good quality white chocolate
- 1 teaspoon canola oil
- ½ cup desiccated coconut
- 15 - 20 mini marshmallows (half the number of strawberries you have)
- Cut the top off the strawberries so as to make a flat base. When choosing strawberries, try for packs that have similar sized strawberries. Really large strawberries don't tend to work as well.
- Cut the mini marshmallows in half and set aside.
- Pour coconut into a small container and line a tray with baking paper.
- Break up chocolate and place into microwavable bowl. The bowl shouldn't be too big as you want the melted chocolate to be about 0.75cm - 1cm deep to dip the strawberries into.
- Melt the chocolate on high for about a minute, stir then melt again for a further 15 seconds or until fully melted. (This time could be less if you have a more powerful microwave.)
- Add the oil to the chocolate and mix thoroughly so it is well blended. The oil just thins the chocolate slightly, making for easier dipping.
- Dip the strawberry into the chocolate so you have about 0.5cm coverage up the side of the strawberry.
- Place the chocolate covered strawberry into the coconut.
- Flick the coconut up onto the sides. Don't move the strawberry to much or else you may leave some of the chocolate behind.
- Place on the tray and gently press on the strawberry to create a flat bottom. Then go through and do the same for all the strawberries.
- Using a thin stick (I used the end of a chopstick) dap some white chocolate onto one of the halved mini marshmallows and stick it on top of the strawberry. Then go through and do the same for all the strawberries to make your very cute little Strawberry Santa Hats.
- Place in the fridge for at least an hour until the chocolate is set. These are best eaten on the day they are made. From our 500gms strawberries we made 30 Strawberry Santa Hats.