Here Comes Santa Claus

 Here comes Santa Claus

Right down Santa Claus lane...

                                                                           Strawberry Santas

                                                                   

Ingredients

Frosting:

1/4 cup mascarpone cheese or crème fraîche,

   at room temperature

1/4 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

1 cup confectioner's sugar

Santas:

12 large strawberries

24 mini chocolate chips

Special equipment:

piping bag with a small star piping tip.

Directions

For the frosting: 

In a medium bowl, using a hand mixer, beat the mascarpone or crème fraîche with the vanilla extract until smooth. Gradually beat in the confectioner's sugar until the mixture is smooth and thick. Using a spatula, transfer the frosting to a piping bag fitted with the star piping tip.

For the Santas:

Using a pairing knife, cut off the leaf end of the strawberry to make a flat surface. Cut 1/2 to 3/4 inch piece from the pointed end of each strawberry and reserve as Santa hats.

Place the strawberries, flat side down, on a work surface. Pipe a 3/4-inch-high swirl of frosting on each strawberry. Place the Santa hats on top of frosting and pipe a small ball of frosting on top of hats. Press two chocolate chips, pointed sides inward, into the swirl of frosting to make Santa's eyes.

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