Strawberry Santas

Introduction

The holiday season is all about fun, family, and, of course, festive treats. And if you’re looking for something that’s both adorable and delicious to add to your holiday spread, these Strawberry Santas are an absolute must-try. Not only do they look like little jolly Santas, but they’re also a delightful combination of sweet and refreshing flavors.

I first made Strawberry Santas a few years ago during a family Christmas dinner. I was looking for something that felt festive, but that didn’t require hours in the kitchen. These little Santas fit the bill perfectly. You get the sweetness of strawberries, the richness of cream cheese, and the light fluffiness of whipped cream—all coming together to form a holiday treat that’s as fun to make as it is to eat.

They’re the perfect snack to have out on your dessert table, or even a fun little project to do with the kids during the holidays. I love how these little Santas are a healthier option than the usual holiday treats, while still looking like they belong at a Christmas party. They’re also customizable! You can make them as simple or as fancy as you like.

Let’s dive into how to make these strawberry Santas so you can impress your family and friends with these cute little treats. Trust me, they’ll be gone in no time!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

I know you’re probably wondering: What’s so great about Strawberry Santas? Well, let me tell you, there’s a lot to love about these little guys:

• Easy to Make: With just a few simple ingredients, you can whip up a batch of these in no time. No complicated steps, just simple and fun!
• Perfect for All Ages: They’re a hit with both kids and adults. I’ve made them for family gatherings and holiday parties, and everyone—no matter their age—loves them.
• Super Customizable: You can change up the ingredients or even the way you decorate the Santas to fit your taste. Want to make them extra festive? Add a sprinkle of holiday-colored sugar on top.
• Healthy(ish): I love that this treat is light and refreshing with the strawberries as the base. It’s not your typical sugary cookie or pie, but it still feels indulgent.
• So Darn Cute: Honestly, these Strawberry Santas are just too cute. They’re almost too cute to eat… almost.

So, if you’re looking for a simple yet festive treat to wow your guests, look no further than these Strawberry Santas. Whether it’s for a holiday brunch, a family get-together, or just because, this recipe will become a holiday favorite in no time!

Preparation Time and Servings

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes (for refrigerating)
• Servings: This recipe makes about 12-15 Strawberry Santas, depending on the size of your strawberries.

Nutrition Facts:

• Calories per serving: 80
• Protein: 1g
• Carbs: 12g
• Fat: 4g

Ingredients

You’ll need just a few simple ingredients to bring these festive Strawberry Santas to life. Here’s what you’ll need:

• 12-15 large fresh strawberries (washed and dried): These are the base of your Santa and give the treat its sweet, juicy flavor.
• 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream: This will help make the whipped topping extra fluffy and creamy.
• 8 oz cream cheese (softened): For the creamy center, we use cream cheese as the base to help with texture and taste.
• 1/4 cup powdered sugar: Sweetens the whipped cream mixture to balance the tartness of the strawberries.
• 1 tsp vanilla extract: Adds a delicious, aromatic touch to the whipped cream mixture.
• Mini chocolate chips or small candy beads (optional): These will be used for Santa’s eyes!
• Fresh mint or powdered sugar (optional): For a festive finishing touch to complete your Santas’ look.

This is all you need! The ingredients are simple, and chances are, you already have most of them in your kitchen. You can easily make this treat without a trip to the store. Now that you’ve got everything ready, let’s start making those adorable Santas!

Step-by-Step Instructions

Here’s how you’re going to assemble your Strawberry Santas step by step. It’s so easy, and before you know it, you’ll have a tray full of jolly little Santas ready for your holiday celebration.

Step 1: Prepare the Strawberries

First things first, you’ll need to prep the strawberries. Take your fresh strawberries and carefully cut off the stems. You want to make a flat base on the bottom of each strawberry so they’ll stand up on their own.

Once the stems are off, slice a little bit from the tip of the strawberry to create a flat surface that will serve as Santa’s “hat.” You should end up with a little red triangle from the top of each strawberry to give it that classic Santa look.

Step 2: Make the Whipped Cream

Next, it’s time to make the fluffy cream filling. In a mixing bowl, combine the cream cheese (which should be softened), whipping cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract. Use a hand mixer or stand mixer to beat the ingredients on medium-high speed until soft peaks form. The mixture should be smooth, creamy, and fluffy. This will be your Santa filling!

Step 3: Assemble the Santa Bodies

Now comes the fun part—assembling your Santas! Take the strawberries that have been sliced on top and use a piping bag (or a Ziploc bag with the corner cut off) to pipe a dollop of the cream cheese mixture onto the bottom half of each strawberry. This will form the “body” of your Santa.

Don’t worry about being too neat here—it’s the holiday season, and a little mess adds to the charm!

Step 4: Add the Hats and Faces

Next, place the flat-cut tip of the strawberry you saved earlier on top of the body. This is your Santa’s hat! Gently press it down, making sure it stays in place.

Then, using the rest of your whipped cream mixture, pipe a small ball of whipped cream on top of the strawberry to give it the fluffy brim of the Santa hat. You can even add a little whipped cream to the top of the “hat” for extra fluffiness.

For the eyes, place mini chocolate chips or small candy beads in the middle of the cream to give your Santa his cute, jolly face. You can also add a tiny bit of whipped cream for a nose, but keep it minimal so the eyes and hat shine through.

Step 5: Garnish and Serve

Now, for the finishing touch! If you want to add a little extra flair, dust your Strawberry Santas with powdered sugar or top them with a tiny mint leaf for a festive look.

Serve these immediately on a beautiful platter, or place them in the fridge to chill until you’re ready to share them with family and friends.

How to Serve

These Strawberry Santas are a fun and festive treat for any holiday gathering, and they’re perfect for serving up in the following ways:

• Holiday Dessert Tray: Arrange them on a large platter with other seasonal desserts for a beautiful spread.
• Christmas Brunch: These make a great addition to a Christmas morning spread. Serve them alongside some cinnamon rolls or egg casserole.
• Kids’ Party: These are perfect for little hands to grab and enjoy during a holiday-themed kids’ party.

Pair these with a nice hot chocolate or a cup of coffee to make the experience feel even more festive!

Additional Tips

Here are some extra tips to make your Strawberry Santas absolutely perfect:

1. Chill Your Strawberries: If your strawberries are too soft, they might not hold up well when you’re assembling your Santas. Keep them chilled in the fridge to make sure they stay firm and fresh.
2. Use Full-Fat Cream Cheese: This helps give the whipped cream mixture a richer taste and texture.
3. Get Creative with Toppings: If you’re feeling extra festive, you can garnish your Santas with edible glitter or a sprinkle of cinnamon on the whipped cream.
4. Try Different Flavors: Want to mix it up? You can swap the whipped cream for chocolate mousse or a flavored cream cheese frosting.
5. Make Ahead: If you’re hosting a party, you can prepare the Santas a day ahead. Just store them in the fridge until you’re ready to serve them.

Recipe Variations

There are so many ways you can customize your Strawberry Santas to make them your own. Here are a few fun variations:

1. Vegan Option: Swap the cream cheese and whipped cream for vegan alternatives. There are great non-dairy cream cheeses and plant-based whipped creams available full of these festive treats!

1. Prepare the Strawberries:

Start by prepping the strawberries. This is where the magic begins! First, cut off the green tops and hull the strawberries using a small knife or a strawberry huller (trust me, this makes life easier!). You want to cut the strawberry in a way that makes the body of Santa—so it’s nice and sturdy on the plate. If needed, slice a small portion of the bottom of each strawberry off so they stand up straight. Set the strawberries aside.

2. Make the Whipped Cream Filling:

Now for the fun part! In a mixing bowl, beat together the cream cheese and powdered sugar until smooth. It should be nice and creamy—this is the perfect base for the whipped cream.

In a separate bowl, whip the heavy cream with the vanilla extract until stiff peaks form. This means when you lift the whisk out of the bowl, the whipped cream should hold its shape and not fall back into the bowl.

Now, fold the whipped cream gently into the cream cheese mixture until everything is combined, fluffy, and smooth. You should have a light, airy filling that will give the Santa faces their fluffy beards and hats. Be careful not to overmix, though—you want to keep that nice whipped texture!

3. Assemble the Santas:

Take your hulled strawberries and place them on a serving platter or plate. Start with the largest strawberries at the bottom for the body. For the Santa hat, use the top portion of the strawberry, and carefully pipe or spoon a dollop of the whipped cream mixture on top. You want it to form a little cone, mimicking the shape of a Santa hat.

Next, add a dollop of whipped cream to the top of the strawberry body to form the “beard.” It doesn’t have to be perfect—this is Santa’s scruffy beard, after all! If you want to add some texture, you can use a piping bag fitted with a star tip to give it that extra fluffed-up effect.

4. Decorate the Faces:

This is where you can get a little creative! Add a mini chocolate chip or a tiny bead of candy for Santa’s eyes. If you don’t have chocolate chips, you can also use small pieces of raisins, dried cranberries, or even tiny dollops of whipped cream.

To finish the look, place a little extra whipped cream on top of the “hat” and around the bottom of the “beard” to act as Santa’s pom-pom on his hat and his fluffy beard edge.

5. Optional Final Touches:

Want to make them extra special? You can dust the Santas with a little powdered sugar to give them a “snowy” effect or place a fresh mint leaf beside the Santa for a festive touch. You could also add some sprinkles of edible glitter for an extra sparkly finish!

Tips and Tricks for Perfect Strawberry Santas

• Choosing the right strawberries: Go for strawberries that are firm and fresh. They should be large enough to hold the whipped cream filling and stand up on their own.
• Chill your cream cheese: Make sure your cream cheese is softened before mixing it with powdered sugar. If it’s too cold, you’ll end up with clumps in your mixture.
• Make it ahead of time: These Strawberry Santas are best served the same day they’re made, but you can prep the whipped cream filling in advance and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours.
• Creative customization: Add a sprinkle of cinnamon on the whipped cream for a cozy touch, or even drizzle some melted chocolate over the top for a decadent twist.

Serving Suggestions and Pairings

These Strawberry Santas are a fun and festive treat for any holiday gathering, whether it’s a Christmas brunch, a family dinner, or a holiday party. They make a cute and healthy alternative to sugary cookies or desserts while still giving you that festive holiday feeling.

You can serve them as a snack, a dessert, or even as part of a larger dessert spread. I love serving them alongside some other fun holiday treats like sugar cookies, gingerbread men, or a warm cup of hot cocoa with whipped cream on top. You can also pair these with some sparkling water or a festive holiday punch for a complete holiday spread.

If you have little ones at home, Strawberry Santas are a great way to get them involved in the kitchen. They’ll love decorating their own Santas and making memories together. Plus, they’re an awesome way to sneak in some fruit while keeping it fun.

FAQ Section

Can I use frozen strawberries instead of fresh ones?

While fresh strawberries are ideal for making Strawberry Santas because they hold their shape and are juicy, you can use frozen strawberries if necessary. However, frozen strawberries tend to be softer and may release more liquid, which can make it harder to hold the whipped cream topping in place. If you do use frozen strawberries, let them thaw completely and pat them dry with paper towels before using them in the recipe.

Can I make the whipped cream in advance?

Yes, you can make the whipped cream in advance! In fact, preparing the cream cheese mixture ahead of time can save you some stress. Simply whip the cream and cream cheese with the powdered sugar and vanilla, then store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. Just give it a quick stir before using it to ensure it’s still fluffy.

How can I make the strawberries more festive?

You can easily make these Strawberry Santas extra special by adding some fun finishing touches. If you want to dress them up even more, sprinkle some colored sugar over the whipped cream topping, or dust the Santas with powdered sugar for a snowy effect. You could also add tiny holly leaves or candy cane decorations to make them even more festive.

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Conclusion

There you have it! These Strawberry Santas are so simple to make, yet they bring so much joy and festive cheer to your holiday celebrations. They’re a perfect way to celebrate the season with a healthy, fun, and delicious treat that everyone will love.

I hope you enjoy making these little Santas as much as I do. They’re the kind of treat that brings smiles to faces and creates memories that last long after the last bite. Whether you’re making them for a holiday party or just because you want to add a little more festivity to your day, these Strawberry Santas will definitely do the trick.

Happy holidays, and I can’t wait to hear about how your own Strawberry Santas turn out. Enjoy the season, and don’t forget to share these little beauties with the ones you love!