Ingredients:

  • 12 medium-sized, firm fresh Strawberries (approx. 350g)
  • 12 large, firm Green Grapes, seedless (approx. 150g)
  • 12 small Wooden Skewers or sturdy cocktail sticks
  • 150g Aerosol Whipped Cream (or 200ml fresh, stabilised heavy cream)
  • 12 small Mini Marshmallows (optional, for the pom-pom)
  • Edible Glitter or finely ground Icing Sugar (optional)

Instructions:

  1. Wash and Dry: Thoroughly wash and gently pat dry all the grapes and strawberries. Excess moisture will cause the cream to weep.
  2. Hull Strawberries: Using a small paring knife, carefully remove the green leafy cap (the hull) from the strawberries, leaving the berry whole.
  3. Ready the Cream: If using fresh cream, whip it until stiff peaks form and load into a piping bag. If using aerosol cream, simply shake the can well.
  4. Thread the Face: Take a skewer and gently slide one green grape onto the bottom end. This forms the 'face' or base of the Grinch figure, leaving about 1 cm of the skewer sticking out for easy handling.
  5. Add the Trim: Pipe a small, generous dollop of whipped cream directly on top of the grape to act as the fuzzy white trim of the Santa hat.
  6. Place the Hat: Carefully slide one hulled strawberry, point facing upward, onto the skewer, resting it gently on top of the cream trim.
  7. Finish the Pom-Pom: Finish the hat by piping a final, small dollop of cream onto the tip of the strawberry, or gently press a mini marshmallow onto the tip.
  8. Chill: Stand the assembled Grinch fruit sticks upright and chill them in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to allow the cream to firm up and improve structural integrity.
  9. Serve: Just before serving, lightly dust the skewers with icing sugar for a magical, snowy effect, and display immediately while thoroughly chilled.