Name: Strawberry Santa Desserts 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

There’s something truly magical about these festive little treats. The Strawberry Santa Desserts with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe bring together fresh, juicy strawberries and a luscious cream cheese frosting that’s both tangy and sweet — perfect for any holiday gathering or just a cheerful snack that feels like a hug.

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 Desserts with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Strawberry Santa Desserts with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Strawberry Santa Desserts with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I first stumbled upon this recipe during a holiday get-together, and it was love at first bite. It’s not just the flavors but the fun of assembling these cute Santa shapes that make it such a hit with both kids and adults alike.

Festive Fun: Making Strawberry Santas is as enjoyable as eating them — the hands-on process adds joy to your holiday prep.
Fresh & Light: Unlike heavy, sugary desserts, this recipe stays fresh and vibrant thanks to strawberries and cream cheese frosting.
Quick & Easy: You can whip these up in about 20 minutes, no complicated steps or baking involved.
Impressively Cute: Perfect for parties, these cute little Santas are instant conversation starters that everybody loves.

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

This recipe uses simple ingredients that harmonize beautifully. The cream cheese adds tang and creamy texture, while strawberries give vibrant color and freshness. Here’s a quick breakdown so you know what to look for when gathering your supplies.

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, ripe berries that aren’t too soft — they hold their shape better for these Santa figures.
Cream Cheese: Softened cream cheese is key to a smooth, dreamy frosting that’s easy to pipe.
Vanilla Extract: Just a hint adds warmth and deepens the flavor without overpowering.
Powdered Sugar: It sweetens without getting grainy, giving that perfect icing texture.
Heavy Cream: Whipped into the cream cheese mixture, it lightens up the frosting to fluffy perfection.
Mini Chocolate Chips: Tiny edible eyes that bring Santa to life effortlessly.

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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

While I like to keep things traditional for these Strawberry Santa Desserts with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe, I’ve found that they’re very adaptable. Feel free to tweak the frosting flavor or play around with how you decorate your Santas!

Variation: I sometimes add a tiny splash of almond extract instead of vanilla for a slightly nutty twist — it’s unexpectedly delightful.
Dietary tweaks: For a lighter option, you can swap out heavy cream for coconut cream and use dairy-free cream cheese.
Seasonal changes: Around Valentine’s, try using raspberries instead of strawberries for a different berry vibe.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Strawberry Santa Desserts with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

Step 1: Whip Up the Cream Cheese Frosting

Start by combining softened cream cheese, vanilla extract, and powdered sugar in a medium bowl. I like to use a hand mixer on medium speed to get it smooth and creamy before adding the heavy cream. Once the cream is added, keep whipping for 4-5 minutes until the frosting is thick, fluffy, and holds its shape well. This step is crucial — the puffier your frosting, the better it’ll pipe and hold onto the strawberries.

Step 2: Prep the Strawberries for Santa

Wash your strawberries carefully and pat them completely dry. Don’t skip the drying part — I learned the hard way that wet berries make the frosting slide off! Cut off the green stem, then slice about a quarter off the top of each berry to create the iconic Santa hat shape. Set those little tops aside — they’re key for the final look.

Step 3: Assemble Your Santa

Using a piping bag filled with your cream cheese frosting, add a generous swirl on top of the larger strawberry bottoms — this becomes Santa’s fluffy beard. Gently place the strawberry hat on top. To add extra flair, pipe a little pom-pom on the tip of the hat and a pair of side swirls to form Santa’s mustache. Finish by gently pressing in two mini chocolate chips for the eyes. Refrigerate your completed Strawberries until it's time to serve.

Top Tip

After making these Strawberry Santa Desserts with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe a few times, I’ve picked up some tricks that really make a difference in how cute and clean the final treats look. Paying attention to the little details makes assembling a breeze and ensures your Santas look their festive best.

Dry Strawberries Thoroughly: Moisture is the enemy of frosting stickiness. I always use paper towels and let them air dry for a few minutes after washing.
Softened Cream Cheese: To avoid lumps in your frosting, let the cream cheese come to room temperature before mixing.
Use a Small Round Piping Tip: It gives you more control for details like the beard, mustache, and pom-pom on the hat.
Chill Before Serving: Refrigerate the assembled Santas for at least 30 minutes to set everything firmly, making them easier to transfer and serve.

How to Serve Strawberry Santa Desserts with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

Strawberry Santa Desserts - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I like to dust a little powdered sugar over the Santa hats right before serving to create a snowy, wintery effect — it adds that final touch of magic. Sometimes I also sprinkle edible glitter for holiday parties, which makes the Santas sparkle under the lights.

Side Dishes

Since these desserts are light, I usually serve them alongside something warm and cozy like spiced hot chocolate or a cinnamon latte. They also make a lovely ending to a holiday brunch paired with mini quiches or fruit salad.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I arrange the Santas on a festive platter surrounded by fresh mint leaves and sprigs of rosemary to mimic a Christmas wreath. Another fun idea: serve them in small clear cups with a bit of crushed graham cracker "snow" at the bottom for individual, beautiful presentations.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you have any leftover Strawberry Santa Desserts with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe (and sometimes, I do!), store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Keep them chilled to maintain the frosting’s texture, and eat within 2 days for best freshness.

Freezing

Freezing assembled Santas isn’t ideal because the freshness of the strawberry and the cream cheese texture change. However, you can freeze the frosting separately in an airtight container and whip it fresh before assembling next time — it freezes surprisingly well!

Reheating

Since these are served chilled, there’s no reheating necessary. Just remove from the fridge about 10 minutes before serving so the cream cheese frosting loses some chill for the best mouthfeel.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use frozen strawberries for Strawberry Santa Desserts with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe?

Frozen strawberries tend to release too much moisture as they thaw, making it difficult for the cream cheese frosting to stick. It's best to use fresh, firm strawberries for the clearest shapes and best texture.

How do I make the cream cheese frosting less sweet?

Reduce the powdered sugar slightly, but keep enough to maintain the frosting’s structure. You can also add a splash of lemon juice to balance sweetness with a little tang. Just adjust to taste as you mix.

What can I substitute for mini chocolate chips for the eyes?

Tiny edible beads, black sesame seeds, or small drops of melted dark chocolate work well if you don't have mini chocolate chips on hand. Just be gentle when placing them so you don’t squash the frosting.

Can I make these Strawberry Santas ahead of time?

Yes! You can assemble them a few hours ahead and keep them refrigerated until serving. Just make sure the strawberries are dry to prevent the frosting from sliding, and chill them well before serving for the best results.

Final Thoughts

I truly adore these Strawberry Santa Desserts with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe because they combine simplicity with that festive wow-factor you want for holiday treats. They remind me of cozy afternoons baking with family and bringing a smile to everyone’s face. I hope you give them a try — they’re as fun to make as they are to eat, and honestly, a little sweet joy like this is just what we all need during the holidays.