Description
Strawberry Santas are a festive and adorable no-bake holiday treat made with fresh strawberries, creamy sweetened cream cheese, and chocolate chip eyes. These bite-sized delights are quick to prepare, perfect for holiday parties or a fun family activity, combining fresh fruit with a sweet and creamy filling to resemble tiny Santa Claus figures.
Ingredients
Scale
Fruits
- 1 pint fresh strawberries
Filling
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- 2 tablespoons powdered sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Decorations
- Mini chocolate chips or black sesame seeds (for eyes)
- Shredded coconut or extra cream cheese (optional, for beard or fur trim)
Instructions
- Prepare strawberries: Wash and thoroughly dry the strawberries to ensure they are clean and dry for assembly.
- Trim tops: Slice off the leafy tops so each strawberry can stand flat on its base.
- Create strawberry hats: Cut off the tip of each strawberry about one-third down the length to form a small ‘hat’ piece.
- Make filling: In a mixing bowl, beat softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract together until the mixture is light, smooth, and fluffy.
- Fill piping bag: Transfer the cream cheese filling into a piping bag or a zip-top plastic bag with a small corner snipped off for piping.
- Pipe beard and face: Pipe a generous swirl of the filling onto the base of each strawberry to resemble Santa’s face and beard.
- Attach hat: Place the strawberry tip back on top of the cream cheese swirl to form Santa’s hat and pipe a small dot of the filling at the tip for the pom-pom detail.
- Add eyes: Use mini chocolate chips or black sesame seeds to create Santa’s eyes, gently pressing them into the cream cheese filling.
- Optional trim: Optionally, sprinkle shredded coconut around the base for an added beard effect or use extra cream cheese to add fur trim details on the hat.
- Chill: Refrigerate the assembled Strawberry Santas until ready to serve. For best flavor and texture, eat the same day they are made.
Notes
- Ensure strawberries are completely dry before assembling to help the cream cheese filling adhere better.
- Softening the cream cheese beforehand makes it easier to pipe and results in a smoother filling.
- For a dairy-free version, substitute cream cheese with a vegan cream cheese alternative.
- Use fresh strawberries on the firmer side to help your Santas keep their shape.
- These treats are best served the same day to maintain freshness and prevent the strawberries from becoming soggy.
