Name: Strawberry Santa's with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 20 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 12 strawberries; 4 ounces cream cheese, softened; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 1/4 cup powdered sugar; 1 cup heavy cream; Mini chocolate chips (for eyes)

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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: 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.

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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 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:

Can I make Strawberry Santa's with Cream Cheese Frosting ahead of time?

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.

Can I use frozen strawberries for this recipe?

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.

What can I substitute for cream cheese in the frosting?

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.

How long do Strawberry Santa's with Cream Cheese Frosting last?

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.