If you’re looking for a fun, whimsical treat that’s as delightful to make as it is to eat, you’ve got to try this Brownie Bite Gnome Treats Recipe. These little gnomes made from brownie bites, strawberries, and cream cheese frosting bring a smile to everyone’s face—trust me, my family goes crazy for them! You’ll find that they’re simple, quick, and totally charming for any occasion.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Whimsical and Fun: These gnome treats bring a playful charm to your dessert table, perfect for kids and adults alike.
- Easy Assembly: No baking required if you use store-bought brownie bites, making them a stress-free party treat.
- Fresh and Decadent: The combo of rich brownie, tangy cream cheese frosting, and juicy strawberries hits all the right flavor notes.
- Customizable: You can easily swap ingredients or add toppings to suit your taste or dietary needs.
Ingredients You’ll Need
What I love about the ingredients here is how simple and straightforward they are, yet they come together to create something truly special. Plus, you can find everything at your local grocery store or use what you already have on hand.
- Brownie Bites: Whether store-bought or homemade, look for dense, fudgy brownie bites. I like using homemade ones for extra chocolate flavor, but store-bought works perfectly fine if you’re short on time.
- Cream Cheese Frosting: This frosting adds the perfect creaminess and tangy contrast; you can buy it pre-made or whip up a quick homemade batch.
- Fresh Strawberries: Make sure your strawberries are fresh and completely dry before assembling. This prevents sogginess and keeps your gnomes looking bright and fresh.
- Reese’s Puffs Cereal: These little cereal puffs make adorable noses for the gnomes and add a fun crunchy texture.
Variations
I love that this Brownie Bite Gnome Treats Recipe can be customized easily to fit your mood or occasion. Over time, I’ve mixed things up depending on what’s in my pantry or what flavors my family craves.
- Nut-Free Variation: Swap Reese’s Puffs cereal for mini marshmallows or small candy-coated chocolates to avoid nuts altogether.
- Fruit Variations: I’ve also used raspberries instead of strawberries when in season, and they look just as adorable!
- Chocolate Frosting: If you want a richer twist, chocolate cream cheese frosting works wonderfully for the beard.
- Vegan Adaptation: Use dairy-free brownies, vegan cream cheese frosting, and fruit-based toppings to make a vegan-friendly version.
How to Make Brownie Bite Gnome Treats Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Strawberries Like a Pro
The secret to prepping strawberries for these gnomes is carefully removing the stem without cutting straight across the top. This keeps the iconic “hat” shape and makes the berries sit perfectly on the brownie bites. I discovered this little trick the first time I made these and it made a big difference in presentation—you’ll see what I mean!
Step 2: Pipe the Cream Cheese Frosting Beard
Fill a piping bag or a sandwich bag with the cream cheese frosting. If you don’t have a piping bag, just snip a tiny corner off a plastic bag—it works just as well in a pinch. Pipe the frosting over the brownie bite and down one side to create a cute beard. This step is key because I found that a nice, full beard makes your gnome look extra charming. Don’t worry about perfect piping; a rustic look adds to the fun!
Step 3: Add the Strawberry Hat and Nose
Place the prepared strawberry hat on top of the frosted brownie bite. Then, gently press a Reese’s Puffs cereal piece onto the frosting for the nose. This step is a quick assembly, but take a sec to ensure everything sticks together well. If the frosting is too soft, chilling the brownies briefly beforehand can help.
Step 4: Chill and Serve Your Adorable Gnomes
Pop the finished gnome treats into the fridge for at least an hour. This step helps the frosting firm up and the treats look polished. I like to make mine a bit ahead of time so the flavors meld nicely, but don’t leave them in the fridge more than two days or the strawberries might lose their pep.
Pro Tips for Making Brownie Bite Gnome Treats Recipe
- Keep Strawberries Dry: I learned the hard way that even a bit of moisture on the strawberries makes the frosting slide off, so drying them well is crucial.
- Use a Small Piping Tip: Using a piping tip or a tiny snip on the bag helps control the frosting flow and makes your gnome beards look neat and fluffy.
- Chill Before Assembly: If your frosting feels too soft, chilling it briefly can make piping cleaner and easier.
- Store in a Single Layer: When refrigerating leftover gnome treats, arrange them in a single layer to avoid smooshing those delicate hats and noses.
How to Serve Brownie Bite Gnome Treats Recipe
Garnishes
I like to add a light dusting of powdered sugar for a “snowy” effect, especially around the holidays. Sometimes, I sprinkle tiny edible silver stars or glitter for an extra magical touch. These simple additions always get compliments!
Side Dishes
These brownie gnomes are sweet enough on their own, but I often serve them alongside a scoop of vanilla ice cream or fresh whipped cream to balance the richness. A hot cup of coffee or tea also pairs perfectly, making it a lovely dessert spread.
Creative Ways to Present
For a party, I’ve arranged these gnome treats on a bed of fresh mint leaves to mimic a forest floor — so cute and thematic! Another time, I placed them inside a rustic wooden box lined with parchment paper for a cozy, storybook charm. They also look fantastic displayed on a colorful serving platter or tiered dessert tray.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
After your party, I recommend placing leftover brownie gnomes in an airtight container lined with parchment paper to keep them fresh. Store them in the refrigerator and try to eat within two days for best texture and taste. The strawberries tend to lose their firmness, but the brownies and frosting remain delicious.
Freezing
I haven’t had great luck freezing assembled brownie gnome treats because the strawberries get mushy on thawing. What I’ve done instead is freeze just the brownie bites ahead of time. Then, assemble fresh when you’re ready to serve. This keeps everything tasting fresh and looking impeccable.
Reheating
Since these are best enjoyed cold, I don’t recommend reheating. If you want a warm brownie treat, try serving the brownie alone warmed up with the fresh strawberry and frosting added afterward. This way you keep the frosting from melting.
FAQs
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Can I use other types of frosting for the Brownie Bite Gnome Treats Recipe?
Absolutely! While cream cheese frosting gives the best tang and texture for the beard, you can substitute whipped cream or buttercream frosting. Just keep in mind that cream cheese frosting firms up nicely when chilled, helping the gnomes hold their shape.
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What if I don’t have Reese’s Puffs cereal for the noses?
No worries! Small candies like chocolate chips, mini M&Ms, or even small nuts (if no allergies) work great as gnome noses. The key is using something small that sticks well to the frosting.
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Can I make the brownie bites from scratch?
Definitely! I often bake a batch of my favorite fudgy brownies and cut them into bite-sized pieces for these treats. Homemade brownies actually add a nice personal touch and you can customize the flavor or texture to your liking.
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How far in advance can I assemble Brownie Bite Gnome Treats?
I recommend assembling them no more than a few hours ahead of time and chilling them immediately. While they’re best the day they’re made, they’ll hold up nicely in the fridge for up to two days if covered well.
Final Thoughts
This Brownie Bite Gnome Treats Recipe has become one of my go-to party tricks—it’s fast, fun, and always gets rave reviews. From the first time I made them, I knew they were special because they make every snack time feel a little magical. I’m confident you’ll enjoy creating and sharing these adorable little gnomes just as much as eating them. So, roll up your sleeves and give it a try—I promise everyone will be asking for seconds!
Print
Brownie Bite 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. Combining rich brownie bites with creamy cream cheese frosting, fresh strawberries as hats, and a playful Reese’s Puffs cereal nose, these no-bake treats are quick to assemble and sure to delight both kids and adults.
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, taking care not to cut straight across the tops to maintain their shape.
- Prepare Frosting Bag: Place the cream cheese frosting into a piping bag, or alternatively into a small sandwich bag with one small corner snipped off to create a piping nozzle for easy decorating.
- Pipe Frosting Beard: Pipe the frosting over the top of each brownie bite and down one side to mimic a beard, forming the gnome’s face layout.
- Add Strawberry Hat and Nose: Place a strawberry on top of each frosted brownie bite to act as the gnome’s hat. Then, press one Reese’s Puffs cereal piece onto the frosting as 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 properly. Serve chilled for best taste and appearance. These treats are best enjoyed the day they are made but can be refrigerated for up to two days.
Notes
- Ensure strawberries are completely dry before assembling to prevent sogginess in the treats.
- If you don’t have a piping bag, a small plastic sandwich bag with a corner cut off works effectively for piping frosting.
- Use fresh strawberries and consume within two days for optimal flavor and appearance.
- Brownie bites may be homemade or store-bought based on your convenience and preference.
- Refrigerate immediately after preparing to keep the frosting firm and fresh.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 brownie bite gnome
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 14g
- Sodium: 70mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 3.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 15mg