Elf Pies {Video}
Published Dec 15, 2015•Updated Apr 19, 2022
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These Elf Pies are chewy bite-sized brownies topped with a light, fluffy frosting and crushed candy cane. Designed for Santa’s elves, but well-loved by all. Jump to the video here!
Like most busy parents, we’re always forgetting something. More often than not, it’s something at the grocery store. Because no matter how many grocery lists we create, we end up running back for just. one. thing.
I’m the eternal forgetter of milk. Frank keeps saying we should never leave the grocery store without a gallon of milk. So true, honey, so true. If only I could live that logic.
If it’s not the milk, it’s where I left my cell phone charger.
Or the ingredients in that super tasty, super fast dinner I tossed together last week on a whim. (#foodbloggerproblems)
Or if I turned off the speaker in our kitchen that’s playing Christmas music on a continuous Pandora loop.
Or if I already had dessert.
Okay, that last one isn’t a problem, obvi. I never turn down dessert. Especially if it’s in the form of a two-bite chewy brownie topped with light, fluffy frosting and crushed candy canes.
These little desserts are headed straight for our fireplace on Christmas Eve. Santa can have one or two, but we’re making them for the elves. Molly and Clara wanted to be sure the elves got some love this year.
Santa gets all the glory.
If you’ve got a minute and a half, you can even watch us bake a whole batch of these little beauties on the video below!
Hopefully the elves don’t want milk with their dessert though…
My Master List of Christmas Cookies
- Crisp Gingerbread Cookies
- Baking Christmas Cookies with Kids
- Salted Caramel Stuffed Chocolate Cookies
- Chocolate Mint Pinwheel Cookies
- Chocolate-Mint Ribbon Cookies
- Candy Cane Meringues
- Chocolate Peppermint Blossoms
- Christmas Tree Meringues
- Bite-Sized Chocolate Brownie Cookies with Candy Cane Topping
- Elf Pies {Video}
- Chocolate Candy Cane Truffles
- Peanut Butter Cookie Cups
Favorite Tools
- Anchor 3-Piece Glass Mixing Bowls https://amzn.to/2NGgagw
- KitchenAid Stand Mixer https://amzn.to/2QKtlky
- Mini Muffin Tin https://amzn.to/2ZEwB36
- Cooling Rack https://amzn.to/31wBFbE
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Elf Pies {Video}
Equipment
- Mixing Bowls
- Stand Mixer
- Mini Muffin Tin
- Cooling Rack
Ingredients
For the Pie Base:
- 2 cups All-Purpose Flour
- ¾ cup Unsweetened Cocoa Powder
- 1 tsp Baking Soda
- ½ tsp Salt
- 1¼ cups Unsalted Butter, softened
- 2 large Eggs
- 2 cups Sugar
- 2 tsp Vanilla
For the Frosting:
- 6 oz Cream Cheese, softened
- 2 Tbsp Unsalted Butter, softened
- 1/2 cup Powdered Sugar
For the Topping:
- 1/2 cup Crushed Candy Canes (I love pre-crushed candy canes, which are super handy) (I love pre-crushed candy canes, which are super handy)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 F. Spray a mini muffin tin with nonstick cooking spray.
- Make the pie base: In a mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt.
- In the bowl of a standing mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the butter, eggs and sugar until light and fluffy. Add vanilla and mix until just combined.
- Add they dry ingredients to the mixer and mix on low just until evenly combined.
- Roll dough into heaping 1 Tbsp balls and drop into the muffin tin.
- Bake until the centers sink in the middle, about 12 minutes. Allow to cool for 5 minutes in the muffin tin before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Make the frosting: Beat together the frosting ingredients (cream cheese, butter and powdered sugar) until light and fluffy. Transfer to a piping bag (or just do what I do and use a plastic bag with a corner cut out of it).
- Top the pies: Top each pie with frosting and crushed candy canes.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
In anticipation of elves and snow and the onset of true midwestern cold weather, Molly and Clara’s first heavy winter coats have arrived. Though Molly keeps saying something about hers being too big…
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These cute little pies look dangerous … I bet I’d have no trouble making a whole dozen disappear fast. 🙂
Such a fun, festive video, and a scrumptious treat for those hardworking, very-deserving, little elves. : ) And that coat looks adorable on your little one…looks like the twins will be ready for winter!