Nothing says festive fun quite like these delightful little treats, and the Strawberry Santa's with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe is exactly that—a charming, delicious way to sweeten up any holiday gathering. They’re quick to make, pretty to look at, and guaranteed to bring smiles all around.
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
Let me be honest: I adore this recipe because it’s not just about flavor—it’s about having a little festive fun in the kitchen. These Santa-shaped strawberries with that luscious cream cheese frosting bring both whimsy and taste to your holiday table.
- Easy to Prepare: You don’t need any fancy tools—just fresh strawberries and a few pantry staples.
- Festive and Cute: These look adorable and are perfect for holiday parties or as a sweet kids’ treat.
- Delicious Flavor Combo: The tangy cream cheese frosting pairs beautifully with the juicy strawberry sweetness.
- Flexible and Fun: You can personalize each Santa with different frosting designs or sprinkle decorations for a creative touch.
Ingredients & Why They Work
Each ingredient in the Strawberry Santa's with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe plays its part perfectly. The cream cheese frosting is creamy and slightly tangy, which cuts through the sweetness of the strawberries for balance. Plus, the powdered sugar adds just the right amount of sweetness without overpowering.
- Strawberries: Choose firm, medium-sized berries with nice deep red color—these hold up better and look festive.
- Cream Cheese: Softened cream cheese blends smoothly for that rich frosting texture.
- Vanilla Extract: Adds a warm aroma that elevates the frosting.
- Powdered Sugar: Dissolves easily, giving a silky frosting without grit.
- Heavy Cream: Whipping this creates a fluffy, light texture that makes the frosting heavenly.
- Mini Chocolate Chips: Perfect for tiny eyes and adding a bit of chocolatey fun.
Make It Your Way
One of the things I love about the Strawberry Santa's with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe is how easy it is to make your own spin on it. Feel free to play with decorations or tweak the frosting sweetness to suit your taste.
- Variation: Once, I swapped out vanilla extract for almond extract and it gave the frosting a beautifully nutty twist that guests adored.
- Dietary Twists: You could try using a dairy-free cream cheese and coconut cream if you're avoiding dairy, and it still works wonderfully.
- Seasonal Spin: Around Valentine’s, I made heart-shaped strawberry Santas topped with red sprinkles, which was a hit.
- Difficulty Level: This recipe is beginner-friendly, but adding tiny piping details can be a fun challenge if you want to get fancy.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Strawberry Santa's with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe
Step 1: Whip Up That Cream Cheese Frosting
Start by combining the cream cheese, vanilla extract, and powdered sugar in a medium bowl. I find it easiest to beat these with an electric mixer until smooth and creamy before adding the heavy cream. Then, whip in the heavy cream for about 4–5 minutes until the frosting is thick, luscious, and holds its shape well. Trust me, this fluffy texture is key—it makes the Santas look magical!
Step 2: Prepare Your Strawberries
Gently wash the strawberries and pat them dry thoroughly. This step is crucial because if the berries are wet, the frosting won’t stick properly. Trim off the stems, then carefully slice about a quarter off the top of each berry to create Santa’s cute little hat.
Step 3: Assemble Your Strawberry Santas
Using a piping bag, pipe a generous amount of cream cheese frosting onto the larger piece of strawberry—that’s Santa’s beard and body. Place the smaller top piece (the hat) on carefully. I like to dust a little powdered sugar over the hat for a snowy effect, but you can skip this if you prefer. Then pipe a little pom-pom on top of the hat and two side curls for the mustache.
Step 4: Add the Finishing Touches
Use mini chocolate chips for the eyes. I gently press them into the frosting so they stay put when chilling. Pop the whole lineup into the fridge to let everything set before serving. These not only taste amazing but also look so festive and inviting!
Top Tip
In making strawberry Santas, experience taught me that the texture of your frosting and dryness of your berries are the secret weapons. Here’s what I've learned over time to get perfect, mess-free Santas every time:
- Perfect Frosting Consistency: Whip the frosting long enough until it’s thick but still pipeable—you want it to hold its shape without being stiff or watery.
- Dry Strawberries Only: Pat berries completely dry—extra moisture will make frosting slide off, turning your Santas into a sticky mess.
- Gentle Handling: Be gentle when slicing and assembling; the strawberries are fragile, and rough handling can bruise them.
- Chill Before Serving: Refrigerate the finished Santas for at least 15 minutes so the frosting firms up and won’t fall apart.
How to Serve Strawberry Santa's with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe
Garnishes
I like to sprinkle a tiny pinch of powdered sugar over the hats right before serving—it’s like a fresh snow effect that adds charm. Sometimes I add edible glitter or red sanding sugar for a little sparkle. Mint leaves make a festive green contrast if you want to get creative.
Side Dishes
I often pair these Santas with a simple hot cocoa bar or a cozy batch of gingerbread cookies—the fresh, creamy strawberries balance those warm, spicy flavors beautifully. They’re great as a light dessert or even a fun holiday snack.
Creative Ways to Present
One holiday, I arranged the Strawberry Santas on a white platter lined with fresh pine sprigs and cranberries for a rustic festive look—very eye-catching! You could also try serving them in mini cupcake liners or on skewers for easy party-friendly bites.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Any leftovers should be kept in an airtight container in the fridge. I find they stay fresh for up to 2 days, but the strawberries can release a bit of juice, so it’s best to eat them sooner rather than later for optimal texture.
Freezing
I don’t recommend freezing Strawberry Santas because the texture of the strawberries changes after thawing, and the frosting can get watery. Fresh is always best for these little festive friends!
Reheating
Since they’re best served chilled, reheating isn’t needed here. Just pull them out of the fridge about 10 minutes before serving so the frosting softens slightly for the best bite.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Yes! You can prepare the frosting and wash the strawberries a few hours in advance, but it’s best to assemble them shortly before serving to keep the berries fresh and the frosting from becoming watery.
I wouldn’t recommend frozen strawberries because they release a lot of moisture when thawed, making the frosting slide off and resulting in soggy Santas.
You can try using mascarpone cheese or a dairy-free cream cheese alternative if you’re avoiding dairy, but the taste and texture will be slightly different. Be sure to whip the substitute well with the cream for the right consistency.
They’re best eaten within 1-2 days when stored in the refrigerator because the strawberries lose firmness quickly, and the frosting can become watery over time.
Final Thoughts
This Strawberry Santa's with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe holds a special place in my heart because it brings that extra holiday sparkle with very little fuss. I love pulling out these little Santas whenever guests come over—they’re always a conversation starter and a sweet surprise. Give them a try and you’ll see how the combination of fresh strawberries and tangy cream cheese frosting can turn simple ingredients into festive magic you and your loved ones will treasure.
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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 servings
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Celebrate the holiday season with these adorable Strawberry Santas featuring a luscious cream cheese frosting. This easy and festive appetizer or dessert combines fresh strawberries with a creamy, sweet frosting and mini chocolate chip details to bring Santa Claus to your table in a delicious and charming way.
Ingredients
Strawberries
- 12 strawberries
Cream Cheese Frosting
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ cup powdered sugar
- 1 cup heavy cream
Decorations
- Mini chocolate chips (for eyes)
Instructions
- Prepare the Frosting: Place the softened cream cheese, vanilla extract, and powdered sugar into a medium bowl. Mix until creamy and well combined.
- Whip the Cream: Add the heavy cream to the bowl and mix using a hand mixer for 4-5 minutes until the frosting becomes thick, smooth, and creamy.
- Transfer to Piping Bag: Spoon the cream cheese frosting mixture into a piping bag to make decorating easy and precise.
- Prepare Strawberries: Carefully wash the strawberries and pat them dry thoroughly to ensure the frosting adheres well. Remove the green stems from each strawberry.
- Shape the Santa Hats: Cut about ¼ inch off the top of each strawberry to create smaller cones that will serve as Santa’s hats, and set these aside.
- Assemble the Bodies: Pipe the cream cheese frosting onto the larger cut strawberry pieces to form Santa’s body and beard.
- Add the Hats: Place the smaller top pieces (Santa hats) onto the frosted larger strawberry bottoms to complete the Santa shape.
- Decorate the Hats and Faces: Optionally, dust powdered sugar on the hats to mimic snow. Use the piping bag to add a white pom-pom on the tip of each hat and pipe two side swirls for Santa’s mustache.
- Create the Eyes: Press two mini chocolate chips onto each strawberry face as eyes.
- Chill and Serve: Refrigerate the assembled Strawberry Santas until ready to serve. Enjoy this festive treat!
Notes
- Ensure strawberries are dry before assembling to help the frosting stick better.
- Use cold heavy cream for best whipping results.
- If you don't have a piping bag, a plastic zip-top bag with a corner snipped off works well.
- For a lighter option, use reduced-fat cream cheese and light whipping cream.
- Mini chocolate chips can be substituted with small edible decorations or seeds for eyes.
- Dusting with powdered sugar adds a festive snowy look but can be omitted if preferred.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 120 kcal
- Sugar: 9 g
- Sodium: 40 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 9 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg
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