Strawberry Santas Christmas Dessert

There is something magical about the holidays when the kitchen fills with bright colors and little hands eager to help, and that is how our tradition of making Strawberry Santas first began.

My niece was three years old and obsessed with anything red and sweet. I wanted something festive we could make together with no oven and no fuss, just simple and joyful fun. I grabbed some strawberries, cream cheese, and chocolate chips, and our holiday ritual was born.

Now, years later, it is still one of the first treats we make every December. Watching those little berry Santas come to life never gets old.

These no-bake Strawberry Santas are a quick 15-minute holiday treat made with fresh berries and a creamy white chocolate filling. They are fun for kids, festive for parties, and easy enough for any busy December day.

Strawberry Santas Recipe Snapshot

• 🍓 Skill Level: Easy
• ❄️ Uses: Fresh strawberries and a no-bake filling (no oven required)
• ⏱️ Prep Time: 15 minutes
• 🔥 Cook Time: None
• ⏳ Total Time: About 15 minutes
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Servings: 10–15 Strawberry Santas
• 😋 Tastes Like: Fresh berries with creamy, lightly sweet filling
• 🎄 Great For: Holiday platters, kids’ snacks, classroom parties, or a festive no-bake activity

Why We Love Strawberry Santas

• No-bake holiday magic — fresh berries + fluffy filling = instant Christmas cheer with zero oven time.
• Kid-friendly fun — little hands can help assemble, decorate, and taste-test along the way.
• Light but festive — perfect when you want a healthy holiday snack between all the cookies.
• Easy to customize — classic cream cheese, coconut-whipped, vegan, or yogurt-filled… everyone gets a version they love.

Ingredients You’ll Need

• 10–15 large strawberries — look for ones with flat-ish bottoms so they stand like little Santas.
• ½ cup melted white chocolate chips — for the filling and the “pom-pom” details.
• ¼ cup cream cheese — gives the filling just enough body to hold its shape.
• Black sesame seeds or black sprinkles — tiny, perfect eyes.
• Red round sprinkles or red icing — for Santa’s nose.

Substitutions

• Cream cheese: Neufchâtel or reduced-fat cream cheese works the same way.
• Dairy-Free Option: Use dairy-free white chocolate chips and dairy-free cream cheese for a fully dairy-free filling.
• Vegan Option: Choose vegan white chocolate and vegan cream cheese, and confirm decorations (sprinkles) are gelatin-free.
• Lower-Sugar Option: Swap in reduced-sugar or sugar-free white chocolate and keep the decorations minimal.

Equipment You’ll Need

• Sharp paring knife
• Cutting board
• Piping bag (or zip-top bag with the corner snipped)
• Small plate or tray (chilled, if possible)
• Tweezers or toothpick (for placing the eyes)
• Small bowl for melting chocolate

How to Make Strawberry Santas Step-by-Step

Step 1: Melt the white chocolate chips according to the instructions on the package. Make sure they are fully melted and smooth, then measure out ½ cup of the melted chocolate so the mixture stays balanced.

Step 2: Add the ¼ cup of cream cheese directly into the warm melted chocolate and whisk until the two come together in a smooth, creamy mixture with no lumps. Take a moment to make sure everything is fully blended so it pipes easily.

Step 3: Transfer the mixture into a piping bag. Push the mixture down toward the tip and twist the top of the bag so you have steady pressure and better control when piping.

Step 4: Prepare the strawberries by slicing off the stem end so each berry sits flat on a plate. After removing the bottom, cut each strawberry across the middle to create a bottom “body” piece and a top “hat” piece.

Step 5: Lift off the top half of each strawberry and pipe a generous amount of the frosting mixture onto the lower half. The filling should be thick enough to hold its shape and visible around the edges once you add the top back on.

Step 6: Place the top portion of the strawberry back on to form the Santa “hat.” Pipe a small dot of the mixture on the very top of the berry to finish the look and give the hat its little pom-pom.

Variations

• Extra-festive look: Add a light dusting of powdered sugar around the Santas just before serving to create a “snowy” effect on the platter.
• Bigger Santas: Use extra-large strawberries and pipe a fuller swirl of filling to make oversized, centerpiece-style Santas for a dessert board.
• Mini Santas: Choose small berries and use tiny dots of filling to create bite-size Santas perfect for kids’ party trays.
• Chocolate-dipped base: Dip just the bottom slice of each strawberry in melted chocolate and let it set for a firmer, sturdier base.
• Colored hats: Use red gel icing to create brighter hat details or to outline the edges for a more cartoon-style look.
• Sprinkle accents: Add festive sprinkles around the “hat” for a playful touch — great for kids helping in the kitchen.

Storage

• These are best enjoyed the day they’re made, since strawberries release moisture as they sit.
• If you need to store them, place the Santas in a single layer on a parchment-lined tray so they don’t tip or stick together.
• Cover the tray loosely with plastic wrap or a lid that doesn’t press down on the tops.
• Refrigerate for up to 12 hours. Beyond that, the berries may soften and the filling can lose its shape.
• Avoid freezing; the strawberries become watery once thawed and won’t hold the structure of the filling.

Serving Suggestions & Party Tips

Holiday Platter Ideas

• Use a white or light platter to make the red berries pop.
• Dust lightly with powdered sugar for a snowy effect.
• Add a few mint or rosemary sprigs for simple holiday greenery.

What to Serve Them With

• Hot cocoa, Christmas cookies, brownies, or peppermint bark.
• Fresh fruit trays, waffles, or pancakes for a holiday brunch spread.

Scaling for a Crowd

• Plan for 1–2 Santas per person.
• Prep all cut strawberries first, then pipe assembly-line style.
• Transport on a parchment-lined tray and keep chilled until serving.

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