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This time of year is big for entertaining. I don’t know about you, but when we are having guests over or going to a party, I am looking to serve food that is simple and delicious. Since the holidays involve lots of food and yummy treats, I think my guests will appreciate a lighter version of one of my favorite holiday desserts. Thanks to SPLENDA® Sugar & Stevia Sweetener Blend, I was able to create this adorable Santa Hat Dessert, that is the perfect small bite to share with friends.
Santa Hat Dessert
To lighten up this holiday dessert, I used SPLENDA® Sugar & Stevia Sweetener Blend. I use this in my coffee each day and like that 1/2 teaspoon of SPLENDA® Sugar & Stevia Sweetener Blend gives me the same amount of sweetness as a full tablespoon of traditional sugar. SPLENDA® Naturals Sugar & Stevia Blend has 50% fewer calories than sugar and it works well for baking. It is made only with cane sugar and stevia leaf extract.
For this Santa hat dessert, I used one of my favorite vanilla cupcake recipes and substituted SPLENDA® Sugar & Stevia Sweetener Blend for sugar. The cupcakes tasted just as good as ever and no one had any idea that they had less added sugar.
To make this santa hat dessert, you will need a mini cupcake pan. The mini cupcakes will form the base of the dessert.
After the cupcakes are baked, let them cool completely before adding the whipped cream and strawberries. Cut the leafy top off the strawberries and set aside.
Before you are ready to serve, add the finishing touches. Spray a bit of whipped cream on the cupcake and top with a strawberry, cut side down. Add a small squirt of whipped cream to the top of the strawberry and they are ready to go.
My guests are always impressed with this Santa hat dessert, and they are perfect for serving at a dessert buffet when people will be trying small bites of lots of different items.
Since a lot of the prep for this dessert can be done ahead of time, it helps take the stress out of holiday entertaining. You can bake up the mini cupcakes ahead of time (even a day in advance). The strawberries can be washed and cut beforehand also, and stored until ready to use. Right before you want to serve this Santa hat dessert, top the cupcake with the strawberry and whipped cream. That’s all there is to it!
If you want to enjoy holiday food, but are trying not to overindulge, then this Santa hat dessert is just the thing! You will still get to enjoy the taste you love, but with less added sugar, when you bake with SPLENDA® Naturals Sugar & Stevia Blend. SweetSwaps like this one are easy to make, which leaves you more time for enjoying your guests.
Santa Hat Dessert
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup SPLENDA® Naturals Sugar & Stevia Blend
- 1/2 cup butter
- 2 eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla
- 1 1/2 cups flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 3/4 teaspoons baking powder
- 3/4 cup milk
- Strawberries with the leafy top cut off one for each cupcake
- Sugar free whipped cream
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- Grease a mini cupcake pan.
- In a large bowl, cream butter and SPLENDA® Naturals Sugar & Stevia Blend.
- Add in the eggs one and at time and beat well in between.
- Stir in vanilla.
- In a separate bowl, combine flour, salt and baking powder. Add this mixture to the wet mixture and mix thoroughly.
- Stir in the milk and continue stirring until incorporated.
- Scoop batter into the cupcake pan, filling about 2/3 full.
- Bake for 20 to 25 minutes. Let cool completely.
- Spray a bit of whipped cream on the cupcake and top with a strawberry, cut side down.
- Add a small squirt of whipped cream to the top of the strawberry.
- Serve immediately.
Nutrition
To learn more about SweetSwaps you can make this holiday season, check out SPLENDA® Naturals for information and recipes.
Lisa says
These are super cute! I can’t wait to make them with my kids!We love to bake together.