Step 1: Whisk the Dry Ingredients – In a medium saucepan, whisk together the granulated sugar, unsweetened cocoa powder, cornstarch, and salt until there are no large clumps. This ensures a smooth pudding without any powdery bits.
Step 2: Add Milk and Cook – Slowly pour in the milk while whisking constantly to combine. Place the saucepan over medium heat and continue to whisk until the mixture begins to thicken and comes to a gentle boil. This usually takes about 5 to 7 minutes. Once it thickens, remove it from the heat immediately.
Step 3: Flavor and Cool – Stir in the unsalted butter and the alcohol-free vanilla extract until the butter is completely melted and the pudding is glossy. Pour the pudding into individual glass cups or ramekins. Place a piece of plastic wrap directly on the surface of the pudding to prevent a skin from forming, then refrigerate for at least 2 hours.
Step 4: Prepare the Whipped Cream – In a chilled bowl, beat the heavy whipping cream and powdered sugar together until stiff peaks form. You want the cream to be firm enough to hold the weight of a strawberry. Transfer the whipped cream to a piping bag fitted with a star or round tip.
Step 5: Assemble the Santa Hats – Remove the chilled pudding cups from the fridge. Pipe a generous circle of whipped cream around the top edge of each cup to represent the fur of the hat. Place a strawberry, tip pointing up, in the center of the cream. Finish the look by piping a tiny dot of whipped cream on the very top of the strawberry to look like a pom-pom.
