Description
Strawberry Santas are a delightful and festive no-bake holiday treat featuring fresh strawberries filled with a sweet, fluffy cream cheese filling, decorated to resemble Santa Claus with chocolate chip eyes and optional coconut beards. Perfect for holiday parties, these charming snacks combine fresh fruit with a creamy, sweet filling to create an easy, fun, and visually appealing dessert.
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 no moisture interferes with the filling and decoration.
- Trim Tops: Slice off the leafy tops so the strawberries can stand flat on a surface, providing stability for assembly.
- Cut Strawberry Caps: Cut off the tip of each strawberry about one-third down to create a ‘hat’ piece for Santa.
- Make Filling: In a mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract together until the mixture is light and fluffy, ensuring easy piping and great taste.
- Prepare Piping Bag: Transfer the cream cheese mixture into a piping bag or a zip-top bag with a small corner cut off for controlled application.
- Assemble Faces and Beards: Pipe a generous swirl of the cream cheese filling onto the flat base of each strawberry to represent Santa’s face and white beard.
- Add Santa Hats: Place the cut strawberry tip back on top to form Santa’s hat, then pipe a small dot of filling on the tip to create the festive pom-pom.
- Create Eyes: Place mini chocolate chips or black sesame seeds onto the filling for Santa’s eyes.
- Optional Decoration: Sprinkle shredded coconut around the base of the filling to simulate a fluffy beard or fur trim on the hat for extra festive detail.
- Chill and Serve: Refrigerate the assembled Strawberry Santas until ready to serve. Best enjoyed the same day for freshness and optimal texture.
Notes
- Ensure strawberries are completely dry before assembly to prevent sogginess.
- Use softened cream cheese for a smooth and easy-to-pipe filling.
- Substitute mini chocolate chips with small edible seeds or cut raisins if preferred.
- Shredded coconut adds texture but can be omitted for a cleaner look or if allergies are a concern.
- These treats are best served the same day to maintain strawberry freshness.
