Name: Cream Cheese Strawberry Santas Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 20 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 4 ounces cream cheese, softened; 1 tsp vanilla extract; 1/4 cup powdered sugar; 1 cup heavy cream; 12 strawberries; Mini chocolate chips (for eyes); Additional powdered sugar for dusting (optional)

There’s something about the festive season that calls for adorable, delicious treats like these Cream Cheese Strawberry Santas Recipe. They’re a perfect mix of creamy, fresh, and sweet with a fun twist that gets everyone smiling before the first bite!

Three small strawberry Santas sit on a white plate with a red and white striped napkin underneath. Each Santa has a layer of a halved red strawberry on the bottom as the body, a thick middle layer of white whipped cream shaped like a beard covering most of the strawberry body, two small dark chocolate chips for eyes placed above the beard, and a halved red strawberry top tilted as a hat. The hat is topped with a small dollop of white whipped cream like the hat's pom-pom. The background has warm, blurred yellow string lights and a soft wooden texture. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Cream Cheese Strawberry Santas Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Cream Cheese Strawberry Santas Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Cream Cheese Strawberry Santas Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

These little strawberry Santas are one of my favorite holiday snacks to whip up. Not only do they look absolutely festive and charming, but they’re surprisingly simple to put together. Plus, they’re a refreshing break from heavier desserts that are all too common this time of year.

Simple Ingredients: Just a few pantry staples and fresh strawberries create a festive crowd-pleaser.
Fun and Flawless Presentation: The little Santa shapes are perfect for kids’ parties or an elegant holiday appetizer.
Light and Creamy Texture: The cream cheese frosting balances out the fruity sweetness beautifully.
Customizable: You can easily add your own flair—try different toppings or flavored creams.

The image shows a small dessert made to look like Santa Claus, placed on a wooden table with a dusting of powdered sugar on the left side. The dessert has two layers of bright red strawberry halves at the bottom and top. Between the strawberries, there is a thick layer of white, fluffy cream shaped like a beard and around the neck area. On top of the strawberry hat is a small dollop of the white cream as a pompom. Two small dark chocolate chips serve as eyes, set on the cream. The background has soft yellow bokeh lights, shining with warm tones. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

The magic here is in the harmonious blend of fresh and creamy textures combined with just enough sweetness. Each ingredient plays its role: the strawberries give a juicy, crisp bite while the cream cheese frosting adds rich, smooth sweetness that’s not overpowering.

Flat lay of twelve fresh whole strawberries with green leafy tops, a small white ceramic bowl of softened cream cheese, a small white ceramic bowl of powdered sugar, a small white ceramic bowl of heavy cream, a small white ceramic bowl of vanilla extract, and a small white ceramic bowl filled with mini chocolate chips, all arranged symmetrically with perfect natural freshness, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Strawberries: Fresh and firm berries work best to hold the frosting without falling apart. Pick medium to large ones for easier ‘Santa’ assembly.
Cream Cheese: Softened cream cheese adds tangy creaminess and acts as a stable base for the frosting mixture.
Vanilla Extract: Just a touch enhances the cream cheese flavor and balances the sweetness.
Powdered Sugar: Confectioners’ sugar blends smoothly, perfect for creating fluffy frosting with no graininess.
Heavy Cream: Whipped in, it lightens the frosting, giving it that luscious, airy texture.
Mini Chocolate Chips: These tiny chips make the cutest eyes and keep the Santas looking lively.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

One of the reasons I keep coming back to this Cream Cheese Strawberry Santas Recipe is its flexibility. I love trying little tweaks to suit the occasion or what’s in my fridge. Don’t hesitate to get creative—you’ll enjoy making it yours just as much as eating it.

Variation: Sometimes I swap mini chocolate chips for tiny edible pearls for an elegant look, or use sprinkles on Santa’s hat for extra fun at kids’ parties.
Dietary Tip: You can use a dairy-free cream cheese and coconut cream as a substitute for vegan options without sacrificing flavor.
Seasonal Twist: During winter, stirring a pinch of cinnamon into the cream cheese frosting adds a cozy warmth that pairs wonderfully with the freshness of strawberries.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Cream Cheese Strawberry Santas Recipe

Step 1: Whip Up the Cream Cheese Frosting

First, in a medium bowl, I soften the cream cheese by letting it sit at room temperature so it blends easily. Then I add vanilla extract and powdered sugar, mixing until it's perfectly creamy and smooth. Next comes the heavy cream—slowly incorporated until the frosting thickens to a fluffy, pipeable consistency. This takes about 4 to 5 minutes with an electric mixer. Patience here pays off, so don’t rush it!

Step 2: Prep Your Strawberries for Santa

Wash each strawberry gently and dry them thoroughly—wet berries will make the frosting slide right off, which is frustrating. Remove the green stem and slice off about a quarter from the top of each berry to create the signature Santa hat shape. Keep these 'hats' aside as you’ll attach them later.

Step 3: Assemble Your Santa Beauties

Using a piping bag, dollop and spread the cream cheese frosting onto the base of the larger strawberry piece to form Santa’s beard and body. Place the smaller strawberry piece on top like a hat. For extra charm, dust a pinch of powdered sugar over the hat for that wintery snow effect, and pipe a small frosting pom-pom at the tip.

Step 4: Add the Finishing Touches

To give your Santas personality, pipe two small side swirls for the mustache just below the hat. Then carefully press two mini chocolate chips onto the frosting as little eyes. Pop your Santas in the fridge to set and chill until you’re ready to serve. Watching these come together—it never gets old for me!

Top Tip

I’ve made this recipe dozens of times, and a few little tricks can turn good Santas into show-stoppers. These tips help you avoid common pitfalls and get that perfect, photogenic look every time.

Choose Firm Strawberries: If your berries are too soft, they won’t stand up or hold the frosting well. Look for ones with a bright red color and no bruises.
Dry, Dry, Dry: After washing, make sure berries are completely dry before assembling. I pat them with paper towels and let them air-dry a few extra minutes.
Pipe with Patience: Use a sturdy piping bag or a ziplock bag with the tip cut. Slow, deliberate piping ensures you control the frosting’s shape better.
Chill Before Serving: Refrigerate your assembled Santas for at least 30 minutes to let the frosting set well — this keeps everything intact and eyes in place!

How to Serve Cream Cheese Strawberry Santas Recipe

Garnishes

When I want just a little extra festive sparkle, a quick dusting of powdered sugar turns these Santas into little snow-dusted treats. Sometimes I add tiny sprigs of mint or a pinch of edible glitter if I’m feeling fancy, but honestly, the classic look with the chocolate chip eyes is charming enough on its own.

Side Dishes

I like to serve these alongside a platter of mixed nuts, some dark chocolate bites, or even a crisp green salad for balance. They also pair wonderfully with a hot cup of spiced cider or mulled wine for a cozy holiday vibe.

Creative Ways to Present

For holiday parties, I’ve arranged these Santas standing upright in a bed of shredded coconut to mimic snow. Kids love helping assemble the Santas and then placing them onto festive plates. Another fun idea I tried was to serve them on skewers with alternating layers of strawberries and marshmallows for a whimsical Santa kabob!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once assembled, I store leftover Cream Cheese Strawberry Santas in an air-tight container in the refrigerator. They keep well for up to 2 days, but the fresher the better—strawberries start to soften and release moisture over time.

Freezing

Freezing isn’t ideal for this recipe because the strawberries get mushy when thawed, and the frosting texture can change. I recommend making these fresh for best results unless you freeze the frosting separately for future use.

Reheating

Since this is a no-cook, chilled dessert, reheating isn’t necessary. Just bring the Santas to room temperature for 10 minutes before serving to enjoy the best flavor and texture.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use frozen strawberries for this recipe?

Frozen strawberries will be too soft and watery once thawed, which makes it difficult to assemble Santa shapes and hold the frosting. Fresh, firm berries are your best bet.

How long can I make Cream Cheese Strawberry Santas ahead of time?

You can prepare the Santas up to a few hours in advance and keep them refrigerated. For best texture, avoid making them more than a day before serving since the strawberries can release moisture.

What can I substitute for heavy cream?

If you want a lighter option, try using whipped coconut cream or a non-dairy creamer. Just ensure whichever substitute can hold air well when whipped to keep the frosting fluffy.

Is this recipe kid-friendly?

Absolutely! Kids love helping with the assembly, piping frosting, and setting the chocolate chip eyes. It’s a fun and safe way to engage little helpers in the kitchen.

Final Thoughts

This Cream Cheese Strawberry Santas Recipe has become a holiday favorite in my house because it brings together simple ingredients with joyful assembly and delightful taste. It’s a recipe I love sharing with friends and family, not just for how cute it looks but because everyone enjoys the fresh, creamy flavor. I hope you try it out and find as much joy in making (and eating!) these little Santas as I do.