Strawberry Santas Recipe
If you’re looking for the cutest, sweetest, and most festive treat to brighten your holiday table, you must make these irresistible Strawberry Santas! They’re a show-stopping no-bake dessert composed of juicy strawberries, a creamy vanilla filling, and just a pinch of holiday magic. Whether you’re planning a kid-friendly Christmas party, a cookie swap, or simply want to put a smile on everyone’s face, these whimsical little Santas are as delightful to eat as they are to behold. Get ready to turn everyday strawberries into jolly holiday cheer!
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of Strawberry Santas is in their simplicity. Each ingredient not only plays an important role but also adds to the flavor, festive color, and irresistible texture of these adorable treats.
- Fresh strawberries: Plump, ripe strawberries serve as both Santa’s body and hat, giving these treats their signature look and refreshing taste.
- Cream cheese (softened): The base for a creamy, slightly tangy frosting that forms Santa’s snowy beard and face.
- Powdered sugar: Sweetens the filling and adds that essential smooth texture perfect for piping!
- Vanilla extract: Enhances the flavor of the cream filling, giving a classic, comforting aroma.
- Mini chocolate chips or black decorating gel: For Santa’s twinkling eyes – these tiny details bring your Strawberry Santas to life.
- Extra powdered sugar (optional): For a gentle snowy dusting, adding even more holiday magic.
How to Make Strawberry Santas
Step 1: Prep the Strawberries
Start by selecting the plumpest, firmest strawberries you can find for your Strawberry Santas—they’ll stand up and look the cutest. Rinse and hull them, then gently blot them dry. Slice off the leafy top so each berry sits flat, then cut off the pointed tip to form a “hat” for Santa. Set both parts aside—the excitement is just getting started!
Step 2: Make the Creamy Filling
In a medium mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract. Beat everything together until the mixture looks smooth, light, and fluffy—this will ensure it pipes easily and tastes heavenly. If you want sweeter Strawberry Santas, you can adjust the sugar to taste.
Step 3: Assemble the Faces and Beards
Transfer the cream cheese filling into a piping bag, or use a zip-top bag and snip off a small corner. Pipe a generous dollop onto the flat base of each strawberry—this creates Santa’s beard and face. Then, gently set the strawberry “hat” back on top, leaving the filling peeking out. Pipe a tiny dot of filling on the tip for his pom-pom hat!
Step 4: Add the Eyes
Time for a little personality! Carefully press two mini chocolate chips or dab on two tiny dots of black decorating gel for eyes. With just this simple detail, your Strawberry Santas go from cute to completely irresistible. Arrange them on a platter as you go—they’ll already make everyone smile.
Step 5: Chill and Finish
Once assembled, place your Strawberry Santas in the fridge to chill for 15 to 20 minutes. This helps the filling firm up and makes them easier to serve. Just before serving, dust lightly with extra powdered sugar if you wish—a snowy touch that adds genuine holiday sparkle!
How to Serve Strawberry Santas
Garnishes
A gentle snowfall of powdered sugar looks absolutely magical on top of these little Santas. You can also add fresh mint leaves for a splash of vibrant green, or sprinkle edible glitter on the serving tray for a touch of extra sparkle. Strawberry Santas deserve to be dressed up!
Side Dishes
Serve your Strawberry Santas alongside a platter of holiday cookies, cocoa-dusted brownies, or fruit skewers drizzled with chocolate. They’re also fantastic with mugs of hot chocolate or a cozy vanilla latte, making a delightful companion for your favorite winter drinks.
Creative Ways to Present
Arrange Strawberry Santas in neat rows on a serving board, create a “Santa village” centerpiece, or set each one in individual paper cupcake liners for an extra-special touch. For parties, you can even build a big festive scene by placing the Santas among edible trees or mini gingerbread houses—endless ways for these cute treats to shine!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have any leftover Strawberry Santas (though they always disappear quickly!), store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They’ll stay fresh for about a day—after that, the filling and strawberries may start to lose their ideal texture.
Freezing
Freezing is not recommended for Strawberry Santas; the fresh strawberries and creamy filling tend to turn watery and separate after thawing. For the very best taste and appearance, enjoy them fresh within 24 hours of making.
Reheating
No reheating needed! Since Strawberry Santas are chilled, simply take them out of the fridge and serve straight away. If they’ve been stored for a little while, a quick dusting of powdered sugar can refresh their look.
FAQs
Can I use whipped cream instead of cream cheese for the filling?
Yes, you can use sweetened whipped cream if you prefer a lighter, fluffier filling. It pairs beautifully with the strawberries but is a bit more delicate—so pipe and serve your Strawberry Santas right away.
How far ahead can I make Strawberry Santas?
For the very best appearance and flavor, assemble them no more than a few hours before serving. They hold up well for a day if refrigerated, but fresher is always better to keep the filling firm and the strawberries bright.
What’s the best way to transport Strawberry Santas?
Place your finished Strawberry Santas in a shallow, airtight container in a single layer. Nestle some parchment between the rows if needed so they don’t tip over during travel—refrigerate until you’re ready to serve.
Can I decorate the faces even more?
Absolutely! Use tiny sprinkles for buttons, add little candy “belts,” or pipe on rosy cheeks with colored icing. Let your creativity shine—these Strawberry Santas are as much fun to decorate as they are to eat.
What can I do if I don’t have a piping bag?
No worries at all! Just spoon the filling into a sturdy zip-top bag and snip a small corner off—this makes a simple DIY piping tool and works perfectly for making neat beards and pom-poms.
Final Thoughts
There’s just something magical about sharing a plate of Strawberry Santas with friends and family during the holidays. They’re a breeze to make, beyond adorable, and always a conversation starter. Give them a try this season—you’ll love how a little creativity and a handful of ingredients can spark pure festive joy!
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Strawberry Santas Recipe
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 20 strawberry Santas 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These adorable Strawberry Santas are a festive and fun dessert perfect for the holiday season. Juicy strawberries filled with a creamy, sweet filling and topped with a cute hat, they are sure to delight both kids and adults.
Ingredients
Strawberry Santas:
- 1 pound fresh strawberries, hulled and cleaned
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Mini chocolate chips or black decorating gel for eyes
- Additional powdered sugar for dusting (optional)
Instructions
- Cut and Prepare Strawberries: Cut the tops off the strawberries to create a flat base. Slice off the pointed end to make a small “hat.”
- Prepare Filling: In a bowl, beat cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla until smooth.
- Fill Strawberries: Pipe cream cheese mixture onto the base of each strawberry. Place the hat on top and add a pom-pom.
- Decorate: Use chocolate chips or gel to make eyes. Chill before serving and dust with powdered sugar.
Notes
- Best served on the same day and refrigerated until consumption.
- Whipped cream can be used as an alternative filling for a lighter option.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Bake
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 strawberry Santa
- Calories: 50
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 15 mg
- Fat: 3 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 6 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 10 mg
