If you are looking for a delightful and festive treat that’s as fun to make as it is delicious to eat, the Strawberry Santas Recipe is exactly what you need. These charming little strawberry figures bring holiday cheer with their bright red color, creamy filling, and whimsical faces. Sweet, creamy, and whisked with a touch of vanilla, these bites are sure to become a beloved tradition every season. Whether you’re preparing them for a family gathering or just to brighten your winter days, this recipe transforms simple ingredients into an irresistible snack that looks just as good as it tastes.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe keeps things wonderfully simple but incredibly effective, relying on fresh, vibrant strawberries and a luscious cream cheese filling. Each ingredient plays an important role in creating the perfect balance of flavor, texture, and color – bright, juicy strawberries paired with a smooth and sweet cream cheese topping that acts as Santa’s fluffy beard and hat trim.
- 12 large strawberries: Choose firm, ripe strawberries to give your Santas a perfect, bright red hat and body.
- 1 cup whipped cream cheese: The creamy base for Santa’s fluffy suit – soft and easy to pipe.
- 2 tablespoons powdered sugar: Adds a gentle sweetness that balances the cream cheese’s tang.
- 1/4 teaspoon vanilla: Infuses the filling with warmth and depth.
- Decorative red and black icing: For Santa’s cheerful face details – eyes, nose, and mouth.
How to Make Strawberry Santas Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Strawberries
Start by gently washing the strawberries to keep them bright and fresh. Remove the green stem so each berry has a flat base to sit steady on the plate. Then slice each strawberry into three pieces: the bottom half will form Santa’s body, the middle an extra layer if you like, and the top remains the pointy “hat.” Make sure to leave enough space at the top for that iconic Santa hat look.
Step 2: Mix the Cream Cheese Filling
In a small mixing bowl, combine the whipped cream cheese with powdered sugar and vanilla. This trio is your sweet, creamy filling that contrasts beautifully with the juicy strawberries. Beat until the mixture is smooth and fluffy – this makes piping easier and gives you that luscious, light texture for Santa’s beard and jacket trim.
Step 3: Prepare Your Piping Bag
Transfer the cream cheese mixture into a piping bag. If you don’t have one, a zip-top bag with a small cut in one corner will work perfectly. This step is key for assembling the Santas with precision and to achieve that charming fluffy look for Santa’s suit.
Step 4: Assemble the Body
Place the bottom strawberry half on your serving plate. Pipe a generous dollop of the cream cheese filling on top to create Santa’s torso, tall enough to add his face and hat later. The creamy white filling is like Santa’s snowy beard and fluffy coat, so don’t be shy with it!
Step 5: Add the Hat
Top the cream cheese layer with the strawberry “hat” piece, slightly tilting it to give Santa a jaunty look. Use the piping bag to add a white cream cheese ball on the tip of the hat, capturing that classic Santa look down to every detail.
Step 6: Decorate the Face
Now comes the fun part—using your decorative red and black icing, carefully draw Santa’s friendly eyes, rosy cheeks, and smile. These little faces really bring your Strawberry Santas Recipe to life, transforming simple fruits into festive characters that everyone will adore.
Step 7: Chill or Serve
Strawberry Santas are best served fresh but can be stored in the fridge if you want to prepare them ahead. Just cover lightly to keep them from drying out and assemble faces right before serving for the best presentation.
How to Serve Strawberry Santas Recipe
Garnishes
Enhance your Strawberry Santas by adding fresh mint leaves for a touch of green color contrast, or dust the plate lightly with powdered sugar to mimic a blanket of snow. Small edible silver balls or star-shaped sprinkles also make fun festive garnishes that turn this simple treat into a holiday showstopper.
Side Dishes
These little Santas pair beautifully with a warm drink like hot cocoa or mulled wine, making them perfect for snack tables or dessert spreads. They also complement other light desserts like mini cupcakes or a cheese platter, balancing out heavier flavors with their fresh and creamy taste.
Creative Ways to Present
For a playful presentation, arrange your Strawberry Santas on a large platter surrounded by green leaves or pine branches for a natural Christmas scene. You can also serve them on skewers alternating with small marshmallows or berries for a charming handheld treat that kids and adults alike will love.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have leftovers, keep your Strawberry Santas covered in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Because the strawberries and cream cheese can release moisture, it’s best to consume them within a day or two before the texture starts to change.
Freezing
This treat isn’t ideal for freezing as the texture of strawberries and cream cheese can suffer when thawed. For best results, prepare fresh for each occasion to maintain that perfect balance of flavor and texture.
Reheating
Since Strawberry Santas are best served cold and fresh, reheating isn’t recommended. Simply bring them out of the fridge a few minutes before serving to take the chill off and let the flavors shine.
FAQs
Can I use regular cream cheese instead of whipped?
Yes, you can use regular cream cheese but be sure to whip it well with some milk or cream to achieve a fluffy consistency perfect for piping.
How early can I prepare the Strawberry Santas?
I recommend assembling the Santas no more than a few hours ahead and decorating the faces just before serving for the freshest look and taste.
Can I make this recipe vegan?
Yes! Substitute whipped cream cheese with a plant-based whipped alternative and use vegan powdered sugar; just ensure your decorative icing is vegan-friendly as well.
What if I don’t have decorative icing?
No worries! You can use melted chocolate or colored sugar decorations for the faces, or even tiny edible markers if you want a simple DIY option.
Are the Strawberry Santas suitable for kids?
Absolutely. These are fun, healthy, and visually engaging treats that kids can help assemble and enjoy eating, making holiday snack time extra special.
Final Thoughts
I can’t wait for you to try making the Strawberry Santas Recipe because it’s one of those simple but heartwarming recipes that bring smiles with minimal fuss. The blend of sweet strawberries, creamy filling, and festive details is perfect for holiday gatherings or just a fun snack anytime you need a little magic. Give it a go and watch your friends and family delight in every bite!
Print
Strawberry Santas Recipe
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Strawberry Santas are a festive and delightful no-bake holiday treat featuring fresh strawberries filled with a sweet cream cheese mixture and decorated with icing to resemble Santa Claus. Perfect as a fun and quick dessert or party appetizer, these charming bites combine creamy, fruity, and decorative elements for a joyful seasonal snack.
Ingredients
Fruits
- 12 large strawberries
Filling
- 1 cup whipped cream cheese
- 2 tablespoons powdered sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
Decoration
- Decorative red and black icing for the face and Santa hat details
Instructions
- Prepare Strawberries: Carefully wash the strawberries and remove the stems to create a flat base so they can stand upright. Cut each strawberry into three pieces: a bottom section for the body, a middle slice, and the top part to serve as the Santa hat.
- Make Filling: In a small mixing bowl, combine the whipped cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth and well blended.
- Fill Piping Bag: Transfer the cream cheese mixture into a piping bag for easy application and precise decorating.
- Assemble Base: Place the bottom section of the strawberry upright on a serving plate. Pipe the cream cheese mixture on top, building it tall enough to serve as Santa’s beard and body, leaving space for a face.
- Add Santa Hat: Position the top slice of the strawberry as Santa’s hat over the cream cheese filling and pipe a white cream cheese detail on top of the hat to mimic the white fur trim.
- Decorate Face: Use the decorative red and black icing to carefully draw Santa’s eyes, nose, and mouth on the cream cheese area of the strawberry Santas.
- Serve or Store: Serve the strawberry Santas immediately or refrigerate them until ready to enjoy, keeping the decorations fresh and firm.
Notes
- Use fresh, firm strawberries for best results so they hold their shape when cut and assembled.
- The cream cheese filling can be chilled briefly before piping to make it easier to handle.
- For a different look, try adding mini chocolate chips or edible sugar pearls for eyes instead of icing.
- These treats are best served the same day but can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours.
- Be gentle when piping and decorating to maintain the strawberry shapes and clean designs.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
