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!
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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.
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.
- 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.
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:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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Cream Cheese Strawberry Santas Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Delightful and festive Strawberry Santa’s with Cream Cheese Frosting are perfect for holiday gatherings. These cute treats feature fresh strawberries filled and topped with a creamy vanilla-infused cream cheese frosting, adorned with mini chocolate chip eyes. Easy to prepare and visually charming, they're a fun appetizer or dessert that kids and adults alike will enjoy.
Ingredients
Frosting
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ cup powdered sugar
- 1 cup heavy cream
Assembly
- 12 strawberries
- Mini chocolate chips (for eyes)
- Additional powdered sugar for dusting (optional)
Instructions
- Make the Frosting: In a medium bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, vanilla extract, and powdered sugar. Mix together until creamy and smooth.
- Whip in Heavy Cream: Add the heavy cream to the cream cheese mixture and beat for about 4-5 minutes until the frosting is thick, smooth, and creamy enough to pipe.
- Prepare Strawberries: Gently wash the strawberries and pat them completely dry to ensure the frosting adheres well. Cut the stem off each strawberry, then slice about ¼ off the top of each to create smaller cone-shaped tops for Santa’s hats. Set these tops aside.
- Pipe Santa's Beard: Transfer the frosting to a piping bag and pipe the cream cheese mixture onto the larger bottom parts of the strawberries, creating the look of Santa’s beard.
- Assemble Santa Hats: Place the smaller strawberry tops onto the frosting-covered bottoms, forming Santa’s hat on each strawberry.
- Add Final Decorations: Optionally dust powdered sugar over the hats to mimic snow. Use the piping bag to add a white pom-pom on top of each hat and pipe two side swirls for Santa’s mustache.
- Add Eyes and Chill: Press two mini chocolate chips into the frosting beneath the hat for Santa’s eyes. Refrigerate the Strawberry Santas until ready to serve for best freshness and presentation.
Notes
- Ensure strawberries are completely dry before assembling to prevent frosting from sliding off.
- You can substitute heavy cream with whipping cream if preferred.
- Use a small round piping tip for detailed frosting work like the pom-pom and mustache.
- The powdered sugar dusting is optional but adds a nice snowy effect.
- For a firmer frosting, chill the cream cheese mixture slightly before piping.
- Mini chocolate chips can be replaced with small edible black pearls or dots of melted chocolate.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 Strawberry Santa
- Calories: 110 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 40 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 6 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 25 mg

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