If you’re searching for a festive treat that’s as adorable as it is delicious, Strawberry Santas are here to steal the spotlight. These charming little bites combine the natural sweetness of ripe strawberries with a luscious whipped cream cheese filling, all dressed up with a cute Santa hat and a cheerful face. Perfect for holiday parties, kids’ snacks, or an unexpected surprise on a winter afternoon, these delightful desserts bring both whimsy and flavor to your table with minimal effort.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Getting just a handful of simple ingredients right is the secret to making these Strawberry Santas truly shine. Each component plays its role: from the juicy freshness of strawberries to the smooth and sweet cream cheese filling, and finally to the decorative touches that bring the whole look together.

Strawberries: 12 large, firm berries that will form the body and hat of each little Santa.

Whipped cream cheese: 1 cup, for a creamy, smooth filling that balances the tartness of the fruit.
Powdered sugar: 2 tablespoons, adding just the right amount of sweetness without overpowering the flavors.

Vanilla extract: 1/4 teaspoon, to infuse the filling with a warm, fragrant undertone.
Decorative red and black icing: For drawing the signature Santa faces and vibrant hats.

How to Make Strawberry Santas

Step 1: Prepare the Strawberries

Start by washing your strawberries carefully to remove any dirt or residues. Once clean, trim off the green stems so each strawberry has a flat base to sit upright. Next, slice the berries into three parts. You’ll want to create a sizable bottom piece for the body, a smaller middle portion, and then the top tip that will become the Santa hat. The key here is leaving enough room on the top piece to place the cute little hat with a bit of cream cheese “trim.”

Step 2: Make the Cream Cheese Filling

In a small mixing bowl, blend together the whipped cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract. Whisk until smooth and fluffy. This filling is the sweet, velvety heart of your Strawberry Santas and will hold the entire shape together while offering a delightful contrast to the fresh strawberries.

Step 3: Fill the Piping Bag

Transfer the cream cheese mixture into a piping bag. If you don’t have one, a small ziplock bag with a corner snipped off works just as well. The piping bag will help you create precise and clean lines when assembling and decorating your Santas.

Step 4: Assemble the Body

Place the largest strawberry piece flat-side-down on a plate to start your Santa base. Pipe a generous amount of the cream cheese filling on top, shaping it so there is enough height and surface to support the hat and face decorations. This cream layer acts like Santa’s fluffy white beard and suit trim all in one.

Step 5: Add the Hat

Next, add the smaller top piece of the strawberry to serve as the Santa hat. Using your piping bag, add a dollop of cream cheese to create the white pom-pom at the hat’s tip and a rim along the base, mimicking Santa’s traditional hat design. This part instantly adds festive charm to your creation.

Step 6: Draw the Face

Using the decorative red and black icing, carefully draw Santa’s eyes, nose, and mouth on the cream cheese surface or the strawberry body. Take your time here—each face gives your Strawberry Santas a personality, so have fun with expressions from jolly to cheeky!

Step 7: Chill or Serve

Your Strawberry Santas can be enjoyed immediately or chilled in the fridge until you’re ready to serve. Keeping them cold helps maintain the cream cheese’s shape and keeps the strawberries fresh.

How to Serve Strawberry Santas

Garnishes

To elevate your presentation, sprinkle a light dusting of powdered sugar over the platter or add small mint leaves for a splash of greenery. Edible glitter or silver dragees can add a magical sparkle, perfect for holiday gatherings.

Side Dishes

These delightful treats pair beautifully with hot chocolate, spiced cider, or even a simple cup of tea. For a more complete festive spread, serve alongside gingerbread cookies or mini cheese straws to balance sweet and savory flavors.

Creative Ways to Present

Arrange your Strawberry Santas on a festive serving platter surrounded by fresh pine branches or holly for a stunning centerpiece. Alternatively, place each Santa on individual dessert spoons or small plates for easy individual servings that guests will adore.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you happen to have any leftover Strawberry Santas (though they rarely last long!), store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They are best enjoyed within 1-2 days to maintain freshness and prevent the strawberries from becoming soggy.

Freezing

Freezing Strawberry Santas is not recommended because the texture of both strawberries and cream cheese changes dramatically when frozen and then thawed. For best results, prepare fresh each time you want to serve this gift of flavor and fun.

Reheating

Since these are no-bake, cold treats, reheating is unnecessary. Instead, bring them out straight from the fridge and allow the flavors to shine in their chilled, creamy glory.

FAQs

Can I use regular cream cheese instead of whipped?

Yes, you can use regular cream cheese, but make sure to whip it very well before mixing with the powdered sugar and vanilla to achieve a light, spreadable texture similar to whipped cream cheese.

What if I don’t have decorative icing?

If you don’t have specialized icing, you can use melted chocolate for the eyes and mouth or even tiny chocolate chips. Red decorating gel or jam can substitute for the hat details too.

How do I keep the strawberries from becoming watery?

Choose firm, fresh strawberries and avoid washing them too far in advance. Pat them dry thoroughly after washing to reduce excess moisture that can make your Santas soggy.

Can this recipe be doubled for a larger group?

Absolutely! These are easy to multiply, so just adjust the quantities accordingly to make as many Strawberry Santas as you desire.

Are there any good alternatives to strawberries?

While strawberries are perfect for this recipe, you could experiment with similarly shaped fruits like large raspberries or even small plums, but the classic red hue and shape of strawberries really make the Strawberry Santas come to life.

Final Thoughts

Making Strawberry Santas is a joy-filled experience that combines creativity with simple ingredients resulting in a festive snack that delights both kids and adults alike. Once you try this recipe, it’s sure to become a treasured part of your holiday traditions. So grab some strawberries, get piping, and let these adorable Santas bring sweetness and smiles to your celebrations this season.

Strawberry Santas Recipe

★★★★★

5.2 from 17 reviews

Author: Mariam
Total Time: 15 minutes
Yield: 12 Strawberry Santas 1x

Diet: Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Description

Delightfully festive and easy to make, Strawberry Santas are a perfect holiday treat that combines fresh strawberries with a sweet and creamy whipped cream cheese filling, decorated to resemble Santa Claus. This playful recipe is great for kids and adults alike, adding a charming touch to your holiday dessert table.

Ingredients

Scale

Strawberry Santas

12 large strawberries

1 cup whipped cream cheese
2 tablespoons powdered sugar
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract

Decorative red and black icing for the face

Instructions

Prepare the strawberries: Carefully wash the strawberries and remove the stems to create a flat base so they sit upright. Slice each strawberry into three pieces: the bottom piece as the body, a middle small slice, and the top piece to serve as Santa’s hat.
Make the filling: In a small mixing bowl, combine the whipped cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract. Mix well until smooth and fluffy.

Fill the piping bag: Spoon the cream cheese mixture into a piping bag fitted with a round tip, ready for decorating.
Assemble the Santa bodies: Place the bottom strawberry piece on a plate. Pipe the cream cheese mixture on top to build the body, making sure it’s tall enough to leave space for the face decoration.
Add the hats: Position the top strawberry piece as Santa’s hat on the cream cheese body. Use the piping bag to add the white trim and pom-pom on top of the hat with the cream cheese mixture.

Decorate the faces: Use decorative red and black icing to carefully draw Santa’s eyes, nose, and mouth on the cream cheese area.
Serve or store: Serve the Strawberry Santas immediately for best freshness or refrigerate them until ready to enjoy, ensuring they stay chilled and firm.

Notes

Make sure strawberries are dry before assembling to help the cream cheese stick properly.

If you don’t have a piping bag, you can use a resealable plastic bag with the corner snipped off.
Use gel or tube icing for easy face decorating and clean lines.
This recipe works well as a quick holiday snack or a fun party appetizer for kids.

Store any leftover Strawberry Santas in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes

Category: Dessert, Snack
Method: No bake, Assembling
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 Strawberry Santa
Calories: 70
Sugar: 5g

Sodium: 30mg
Fat: 5g
Saturated Fat: 3g

Unsaturated Fat: 1g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 6g

Fiber: 1g
Protein: 2g
Cholesterol: 15mg

Keywords: Strawberry Santas, holiday treat, Christmas dessert, festive snack, cream cheese filling, no bake dessert, kids snack, Christmas recipe