There’s something magical about these little festive treats that just makes my kitchen feel like holiday central. The Strawberry Santa’s with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe perfectly blends fresh, juicy strawberries with silky, sweet cream cheese frosting, making a charming and delicious snack you’ll actually want to serve at every holiday gathering.
Jump to:
- Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Ingredients & Why They Work
- Make It Your Way
- Step-by-Step: How I Make Strawberry Santa’s with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe
- Top Tip
- How to Serve Strawberry Santa’s with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe
- Make Ahead and Storage
- Frequently Asked Questions:
- Final Thoughts
- Strawberry Santa’s with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe
Why You'll Love This Recipe
I honestly can’t get enough of these little Strawberry Santas—they’re fun, festive, and surprisingly simple to whip up. Whenever I make them, they spark smiles and conversation, plus the kids love helping with the piping. It’s such a feel-good treat that tastes just like Christmas on a plate.
- Delightful Presentation: These Santas are adorable and instantly festive, making your holiday table pop effortlessly.
- Quick and Easy: You’ll have these ready in about 20 minutes without needing fancy equipment or ingredients.
- Perfect Balance: Juicy strawberries paired with smooth, tangy cream cheese frosting keeps every bite fresh and crave-worthy.
- Kid-Friendly Fun: It’s a great recipe to get kids involved because piping and assembling Santas is pure joy for little hands.
Ingredients & Why They Work
This Strawberry Santa’s with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe calls for simple, fresh ingredients that combine to create those classic sweet and creamy flavors. Each piece plays its role, so here’s a quick rundown on what makes them special.
- Strawberries: Fresh and ripe are key here—firm enough to hold their shape but juicy enough for that sweet burst in every bite.
- Cream Cheese: Softened cream cheese brings a tangy creaminess that’s the perfect base for frosting.
- Vanilla Extract: A little splash amps up the flavor with warmth and depth.
- Powdered Sugar: It sweetens without the gritty texture, blending seamlessly with the cream cheese.
- Heavy Cream: Whipped into the mixture, it adds lightness and fluff, making the frosting pipeable and dreamy.
- Mini Chocolate Chips: These tiny dots become Santa’s twinkling eyes, making the whole look come alive.
Make It Your Way
One of my favorite parts of the Strawberry Santa’s with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe is how easy it is to tweak depending on your mood or what you have on hand. Feel free to get creative or keep it classic—both work beautifully!
- Variation: Sometimes I swap the heavy cream for coconut cream to give it a subtle tropical twist, making it dairy-free and just as luscious.
- Healthier Option: For a lighter version, try using Greek yogurt mixed with cream cheese—you still get creaminess but with added protein.
- Flavor Boost: Add a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg to the frosting for a warm holiday spice note that’s unexpected but delightful.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Strawberry Santa’s with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe
Step 1: Soften and Whip the Cream Cheese Frosting
First things first, make sure your cream cheese is properly softened; that’s key for smooth, creamy frosting. I usually leave it out on the counter about 30 minutes beforehand, so it blends easily with the vanilla and powdered sugar. Using an electric mixer helps get it perfectly fluffy. Once those ingredients are creamy, gradually add the heavy cream and whip for about 4-5 minutes until it’s thick and pipeable. This is the magic that makes Santa’s “beard” light and luscious.
Step 2: Prepare Your Strawberries with Care
Wash your strawberries gently and make sure they’re fully dry—wet berries mean the frosting slips off. Cut off the stems and slice about ¼ off the top to create Santa’s hat. Keep those little tops aside carefully; they hide the secret of Santa’s charm!
Step 3: Assemble Your Santa Treats
Now for the fun part! Using your piping bag, carefully pipe the cream cheese mixture onto the bottom strawberry half—that’s Santa’s beard and body. Add the smaller top half to form the hat. Dust with a sprinkle of powdered sugar for a snowy effect if you like, then pipe the white “pom-pom” on top of the hat and little swirls for the mustache. Finish with mini chocolate chip eyes, and voilà — a lineup of jolly little Santas ready to charm your guests!
Top Tip
Over the years, I’ve learned a few tricks to make this recipe foolproof and full of joy – these little details make all the difference when you’re bringing these Santa treats to life.
- Perfect Frosting Consistency: Don’t rush the whipping stage with the heavy cream—give it those full 4-5 minutes so it’s fluffy but still holds shape when piped.
- Dry Strawberries Are a Must: I can’t emphasize this enough—wet berries cause the frosting to slide off. Pat them dry gently with a paper towel after washing.
- Piping Bag Control: Cut your piping tip small for precision on the beard and hat details; this helps you make neat swirls that look like Santa’s fluffy fleece.
- Keep Them Chilled: After assembling, refrigerate your Santas at least 30 minutes to let the frosting set and flavors meld nicely.
How to Serve Strawberry Santa’s with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe
Garnishes
When I serve these, I often sprinkle on a little extra powdered sugar—it’s like a dusting of fresh snow that lifts the whole look. Sometimes I add tiny mint leaves as little holly accents near the base for a cute pop of green and added aroma. You could also drizzle a thin line of melted chocolate over the hat for a richer vibe.
Side Dishes
This recipe pairs so well with a warm cup of cocoa or a festive spiced cider. I also like to serve it alongside other holiday finger foods like mini gingerbread cookies or a cheese platter—keeps the flavors balanced and guests happy.
Creative Ways to Present
For holiday parties, I love arranging the Strawberry Santas standing upright on a platter lined with kale or pine branches for that cozy woodland feel. You can even put them on skewers between other fruit pieces for playful “Santa kebabs.” Kids especially get excited when they see their artwork displayed in such a fun setup.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I usually store leftover Strawberry Santas in an airtight container in the fridge. They hold up well for up to 2 days, but the strawberries might release a bit of juice, so placing a paper towel at the bottom of the container helps absorb excess moisture and keeps them looking fresh longer.
Freezing
I haven’t tried freezing the assembled Santas because the texture of the strawberries and cream cheese frosting doesn’t hold up well thawed. But you can definitely prep the frosting ahead—you can freeze it in a sealed container, then whip it up again when you’re ready.
Reheating
Since this is a cold treat, reheating isn’t necessary. Just bring the leftovers to room temperature for a few minutes before serving if they’ve been refrigerated, so the frosting regains some softness but still maintains its shape.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Frozen strawberries tend to release a lot of water when thawed, which can make the cream cheese frosting slide off. It’s best to use fresh, firm strawberries to keep your Strawberry Santa’s with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe looking and tasting great.
You can make the frosting a day ahead and keep it refrigerated, then whip it back up before assembling. Once assembled, the Santas are best served within 24 hours for freshness. Make sure to keep them refrigerated until serving.
Yes, you can try substituting with mascarpone or Greek yogurt for a slightly different texture and flavor. Just keep in mind the creaminess and thickness might vary, affecting how well the frosting pipes onto the strawberries.
If you don’t have a piping bag, you can use a resealable plastic bag and snip a tiny corner off to pipe the frosting. Just make sure the hole is small to keep control over the design, and practice piping on a plate first if you’re nervous.
Final Thoughts
Honestly, there’s just something so joyful about making and sharing this Strawberry Santa’s with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe. It’s festive, approachable, and the kind of treat that brightens any gathering—whether it’s a cozy night in or a lively holiday party. I hope you enjoy making these as much as I do; they're perfect little bites of cheer you can truly feel good about sharing!
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Strawberry Santa’s with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 12 Strawberry Santas
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Delightfully festive Strawberry Santas with a creamy vanilla cream cheese frosting, perfect for holiday gatherings or a fun dessert. These adorable treats use fresh strawberries, a sweet cream cheese mixture, and mini chocolate chips to create charming Santa faces.
Ingredients
Strawberries
- 12 strawberries
Cream Cheese Frosting
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ cup powdered sugar
- 1 cup heavy cream
- mini chocolate chips (for eyes)
Instructions
- Make the frosting: Place cream cheese, vanilla extract, and powdered sugar into a medium bowl. Mix until creamy and smooth.
- Whip the cream: Add heavy cream to the cream cheese mixture and whip for 4-5 minutes until thick, smooth, and creamy.
- Prepare strawberries: Wash strawberries carefully and pat dry. Cut off the stems and slice ¼ off the top of each strawberry to create the Santa hat pieces. Set these aside.
- Assemble bodies: Using a piping bag, pipe the cream cheese frosting onto the larger strawberry pieces to form Santa’s beard.
- Add the hats: Place the smaller strawberry top piece (Santa hat) onto the frosted bottom piece.
- Decorate hats: Optionally dust the hats with powdered sugar for a snowy effect, then pipe a small dollop of frosting on the tip of each hat as the white pom-pom.
- Create mustaches: Pipe two side swirls just below the hat brim to form Santa’s mustache.
- Add eyes: Place two mini chocolate chips on the body for Santa’s eyes.
- Chill and serve: Refrigerate the assembled Strawberry Santas until ready to serve for the best texture and flavor. Enjoy!
Notes
- Make sure strawberries are completely dry to help the frosting adhere better.
- You can substitute mini chocolate chips with small candy pearls or edible black decorations for eyes.
- For a lighter frosting, use whipped topping instead of heavy cream, but the consistency may be less stable.
- Use fresh strawberries close to serving time to prevent them from becoming soggy.
- Dust powdered sugar over the hats just before serving to maintain the snowy look.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 Strawberry Santa
- Calories: 120 kcal
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 45 mg
- Fat: 9 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 8 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg
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