If you’re looking for the most charming, merry way to make your holiday dessert table pop, Strawberry Santas are your answer. These adorable, no-bake treats combine juicy strawberries, fluffy homemade whipped cream, and a sprinkle of magic to bring Santa himself to life in bite-sized form. Not only are they easy enough for kids to help with, but they’re also mouthwateringly delicious and festive—the perfect Christmas sweet for parties, potlucks, or a cozy winter night at home. Trust me, once you see how easy and fun they are, you’ll want Strawberry Santas in your recipe collection every December!

Ingredients You’ll Need

Ingredients:
- 16 large fresh strawberries, hulled and cleaned
- 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
- 1 tablespoon powdered sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- mini chocolate chips or black decorating gel for eyes

How to Make Strawberry Santas

Step 1: Prepare the Strawberries

First, wash and thoroughly dry your strawberries. Hull each berry and trim off the leafy ends to create a flat base so your Strawberry Santas will stand tall. Using a sharp knife, slice off the tip of each berry about a quarter of the way down to create “Santa’s hat.” This little detail makes the treat look just like Santa himself!

Step 2: Make the Whipped Cream

Pour the heavy whipping cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract into a chilled mixing bowl. Whip with an electric mixer until you see stiff peaks—this means the cream will hold its shape and make those signature fluffy beards and cheerful faces. If it’s a snowy day, whipping by hand can be pretty fun too!

Step 3: Pipe On Santa’s Face and Beard

Spoon the finished whipped cream into a piping bag or a zip-top bag with the corner snipped off. Pipe a generous swirl onto the flat base of each strawberry. This forms the head and beard. The more playful and squiggly you pipe, the cuter your Strawberry Santas will be—no need for perfection!

Step 4: Assemble the Santas

Carefully place the strawberry tips back on top of the whipped cream mounds to create the classic Santa hat. For extra whimsy, tilt the “hat” to one side instead of straight up—and then pipe a tiny dot of whipped cream on the very top for the pom-pom. This tiny detail makes them truly irresistible.

Step 5: Add the Eyes

Use mini chocolate chips or a squeeze of black decorating gel to give each Strawberry Santa two bright eyes. Gently press them into the whipped cream face. This is where their personalities really shine, so make each one a little different if you like—some smiling wide, others looking surprised!

How to Serve Strawberry Santas

Garnishes

A pretty dusting of powdered sugar over the tray makes your Strawberry Santas look like they’ve been frolicking in fresh snow. You can add fresh mint leaves as “holly” or nestle them into coconut flakes for an even frostier effect.

Side Dishes

Pair your Strawberry Santas with a platter of Christmas cookies or a mug of hot cocoa for the coziest vibe. On brunch buffets, they’re fantastic next to scones or pancakes, turning an ordinary spread into a merry feast.

Creative Ways to Present

For parties, arrange the Santas in a big circle like a snowy crowd or line them up marching across a holiday-themed tray. If you’re making these with kids, give everyone a “decorating station” with sprinkles or tiny candies for extra fun. However you serve them, they’ll always steal the show!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you have any Strawberry Santas left (trust me, it’s rare!), store them in a single layer in an airtight container in the fridge. They’re at their best within a few hours as the whipped cream can soften the strawberries over time.

Freezing

Strawberry Santas don’t love the freezer—whipped cream can lose its texture and strawberries tend to get mushy after thawing. If you truly need to freeze them, expect some changes in consistency, and try a test batch first.

Reheating

There’s no real reheating needed with these delightful no-bake treats. Just pull them from the fridge and let them sit for a few minutes at room temperature before serving if you want the flavors to shine.

FAQs

Can I use store-bought whipped cream for Strawberry Santas?

Yes, you can use canned or tub whipped cream if you’re short on time, but homemade whipped cream holds its shape better and tastes richer. For special occasions, it’s worth those extra few minutes of whipping!

What’s the best way to keep the Strawberry Santas upright?

Make sure to trim a flat base on each berry before assembling, and try to use large, sturdy strawberries. Arranging your Santas tightly together on the tray also helps them stay upright and looking festive.

Can I make Strawberry Santas vegan or dairy-free?

Absolutely! Swap in coconut whipped cream or any non-dairy whipped topping you love. The result is just as cute and delicious, so everyone at your holiday table can enjoy them.

How far in advance can I make Strawberry Santas?

These treats are best made the day you plan to serve them, ideally within four hours. For longer storage, keep strawberries and whipped cream separate and assemble just before serving.

Do I need special equipment to make the whipped cream?

Not at all! An electric mixer gets you there fastest, but a hand whisk (plus some holiday spirit) works too. For piping, a zip-top bag with the corner cut off is all you need—no fancy piping bags required.

Final Thoughts

With their cheerful faces and fluffy whipped “beards,” Strawberry Santas always bring joy to any holiday gathering. They’re easy, adorable, and irresistible—a sweet little secret for making spirits bright! Gather your strawberries and cream and give these a try; I promise they’ll become a new December tradition at your house, too.

Strawberry Santas Recipe

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4.9 from 9 reviews

Author: admin
Total Time: 15 minutes
Yield: 16 Strawberry Santas 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

These adorable Strawberry Santas are a festive and fun dessert perfect for Christmas or any holiday gathering. Juicy strawberries are transformed into charming little Santas with a swirl of whipped cream and mini chocolate chip eyes.

Ingredients

Scale

Ingredients:

16 large fresh strawberries, hulled and cleaned
1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
1 tablespoon powdered sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
mini chocolate chips or black decorating gel for eyes

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Instructions

Cut and Prep the Strawberries: Cut the leafy end off each strawberry to create a flat base. Slice off the pointed end to make a ‘hat’.
Prepare Whipped Cream: Beat heavy cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla until stiff peaks form.
Assemble Santas: Pipe cream onto the base for the face and beard. Place the hat on top and add a pom-pom and eyes.
Serve: Enjoy immediately or chill for a while.