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.

The image shows three small strawberry Santa figures arranged on a white plate with a gently scalloped edge, placed on a thin red and white striped mat on a white marbled surface. Each strawberry Santa has two parts: the bottom half is a bright red strawberry with visible seeds, and the top half is the strawberry cap placed upside down as a hat. Between these two strawberry layers is a thick swirl of white whipped cream forming a fluffy beard and face covering, with a small dollop of whipped cream placed on top of the hat as a pom-pom. Two small dark chocolate chips are pressed into the cream area to make eyes. A blurred fourth Santa is visible in the background on the same white marbled surface. 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 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.

The image shows a small strawberry Santa made with three layers: a bottom layer of a whole strawberry standing upright, a middle layer of white cream piped in swirls forming a beard and face, and a top layer of a strawberry tip acting as a hat with a small dollop of white cream on top as the hat's pom-pom. Two small dark chocolate chips are placed in the cream to make eyes. The strawberry Santa is set on a rustic wooden surface with powdered sugar softly spread nearby and blurred warm lights in the background. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

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.

Flat lay of a dozen fresh bright red strawberries with green leafy tops, a small white ceramic bowl of softened cream cheese, a small white bowl filled with fine powdered sugar, another small white bowl containing thick heavy cream, a few whole brown eggs with clean shells, and a handful of tiny glossy dark mini chocolate chips scattered carefully on the white ceramic surface, all perfectly arranged in balanced symmetry, 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 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.

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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 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:

Can I use frozen strawberries for this recipe?

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.

How far ahead can I prepare these Strawberry Santas?

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.

Can I substitute the cream cheese in the frosting?

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.

What’s the best way to pipe the frosting if I don’t have a piping bag?

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!