Strawberry Santas

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These adorable Strawberry Santas are a fun and festive treat for the holiday season! With no cooking required, these cute Santa-themed strawberries are as easy to make as they are delightful to look at. Perfect for Christmas gatherings, potlucks, or even as a kid-friendly project, Strawberry Santas are sure to bring smiles and a burst of fresh flavor to your holiday table.

Christmas treats don’t have to be heavy and time-consuming. These little Strawberry Santas are so delicious and so easy to make!

Strawberry Santas

Does the potluck dessert table leave you feeling stuffed and heavy? Looking for a low-key dessert that is light and refreshing? These fun No-Cook Strawberry Santas are just what the elves ordered. Made from strawberries and a dollop of frosting, this dessert introduces a fresh factor to the dessert table. Even better, they are fun and will add some holiday cheer to any event.

Why You’ll Love Strawberry Santas

  • Quick and Easy: These Strawberry Santas come together in just minutes, making them an ideal last-minute holiday treat that looks impressive without the effort.
  • No-Bake and No-Cook: Perfect for the busy holiday season, this recipe requires no baking, keeping your kitchen cool and free from the oven’s heat.
  • Festive and Fun: With their adorable Santa hat appearance, these strawberries bring a cheerful, whimsical touch to any Christmas gathering, perfect for kids and adults alike.
  • Fresh and Light: Unlike heavy desserts, these Strawberry Santas are light and refreshing, giving guests a sweet option without the post-dessert bloat.
  • Great for Parties: These little Santas can be made in large batches, making them a fantastic option for potlucks, school parties, and family gatherings.

strawberry santa

Holidays often mean baking, so when I come across a delicious dessert that is no-cook I am sold! That is the case with these festive treats. These Single Bite Santa Hats are so easy to make, require no time standing in front of the stove, and require no baking. That is a recipe we can all get behind during the hectic holiday season. This make a great treat for any celebration but don’t take hours to prepare.

Ingredients For Strawberry Santas

  • Strawberries – Fresh strawberries are the base of this treat, bringing a juicy and sweet flavor that pairs perfectly with frosting.
  • White Frosting – Used to “glue” the pieces together and create the fluffy Santa hat effect; choose your favorite vanilla or cream cheese frosting.
  • Black Icing Writing Gel – Ideal for adding Santa’s eyes, making these treats as cute as they are delicious.

For the exact measurements of the ingredients, see the printable recipe card at the bottom of this article.

strawberry santa hats with whipped cream and marshmallows

This recipe is one that is sure to bring a smile to any face. Cheerful and whimsical, these No-Bake Strawberry Santa Hats are delightful. Using fresh strawberries makes for a light and scrumptious dessert. No heaviness or bloat will be found when you nosh on these tasty treats. They are going to be a hit at your next social gathering, whether it is the kindergarten holiday bash or the office Christmas party. How many desserts can boast that type of versatility?

Kitchen Tools You Need To Make Strawberry Santas

  • Knife – For slicing the tops and bottoms off the strawberries.
  • Cutting Board – Provides a safe surface for cutting the strawberries.
  • Pastry Piping Bag – Perfect for piping the frosting neatly; if you don’t have one, a Ziploc bag with the corner cut off works too.
  • Paper Towels – Useful for blotting the strawberries to remove extra moisture, ensuring the frosting sticks well.

strawberry santas with whipped cream christmas dessert

How To Make Strawberry Santas

Making a sweet holiday treat doesn’t have to turn you into the Grinch. This recipe is so easy to prepare. Start by washing and blotting your strawberries.Cut off the leaves, making sure to make the bottom of the strawberries flat so they can stand on a plate. No one wants a tippy Santa!

strawberry santa step 1

Put the white frosting in a piping bag, or for a simple substitution use a Ziploc bag with the corner cut off. Cut the top third off a strawberry and blot the cut with paper towel to absorb the moisture.

cut strawberry

Pipe the icing on top of the bottom part of the strawberry.

strawberry santa icing

Next, put the top strawberry piece on top of the icing.

strawberry santa hats instructions

Next, put another small amount of icing on the very top of the Santa hat.

making strawberry santa

Draw the eyes on each Strawberry Santa using black icing gel and voila! You have tasty, festive treats that are almost too cute to eat!

strawberry santa drawing eyes with icing gel pen

Serving Suggestions

  • Arrange the Strawberry Santas on a Christmas-themed platter for a delightful presentation that adds a pop of red to your holiday spread. Check out another Christmas-themed platter like reindeer fudge, bread pudding, and Waldorf salad.
  • Place each Strawberry Santa on a small skewer or toothpick for easy grabbing at holiday gatherings or buffet-style setups. Find your next skewer inspirations; wrapped cantaloupe, kielbasa pineapple, and fruit kabobs.
  • Serve alongside a variety of other fresh berries and fruits to create a colorful, healthy dessert option on the table. Explore more dessert options with ricotta cake, figs hazelnut ice cream, and date stuffed.
  • Add these Strawberry Santas to a Christmas dessert board or cheese platter for a mix of textures and flavors.
  • Place each Santa in a mini cupcake liner for a charming, mess-free individual serving that’s perfect for kids’ parties.

Tips For Success

  • Choose the Right Strawberries: Pick strawberries that are medium-sized and relatively uniform in shape for the best-looking Santas. Avoid overly large strawberries as they can be top-heavy and harder to work with.
  • Keep Strawberries Dry: Moisture can cause the frosting to slide off, so after washing, thoroughly dry each strawberry with a paper towel. Blotting the cut surfaces also helps the frosting stick and keeps the Santas looking neat.
  • Use a Firm Frosting: A slightly thicker frosting, like buttercream or store-bought vanilla frosting, works best for keeping the “hat” in place. If your frosting is too soft, pop it in the fridge for a few minutes to firm up before piping.
  • Steady Your Hand for Details: For the eyes, squeeze the icing writing gel gently to avoid a large blob. Practice a few dots on a plate or napkin if needed to get a feel for the pressure.
  • Assemble Just Before Serving: These Strawberry Santas are best served soon after assembly to keep them fresh and intact. If you need to prep ahead, prepare the strawberries and frosting separately, then assemble them just before your event.

Variations and Substitutions

  • Whipped Cream Instead of Frosting: For a lighter option, use whipped cream in place of frosting. Keep in mind that whipped cream may not hold up as well over time, so this variation is best for immediate serving.
  • Chocolate Eyes: Instead of black icing gel, use mini chocolate chips or edible candy eyes for a fun twist. Simply press them gently into the frosting to secure them in place.
  • Vegan Option: Substitute a dairy-free frosting or whipped coconut cream for a vegan-friendly treat. Many grocery stores carry plant-based frosting options that work perfectly in this recipe.
  • Add a Touch of Mint: For a refreshing twist, add a tiny mint leaf to each Santa, tucking it under the “hat” for a festive and unexpected flavor.
  • Experiment with Flavors: Mix a drop or two of peppermint or almond extract into the frosting for a holiday-inspired flavor boost that complements the strawberries beautifully.

Storage and Reheating

  • Storage: Strawberry Santas are best enjoyed fresh, but if you need to store them, place them in a single layer in an airtight container. Refrigerate them for up to 1 day to keep the strawberries firm and the frosting intact.
  • Avoid Stacking: To prevent the Santas from being crushed, avoid stacking them. If layering is necessary, separate each layer with parchment paper to protect the decorations.
  • Refrigeration Tips: When storing in the fridge, avoid placing them near strong-smelling foods, as strawberries can absorb odors. For best results, store the strawberries without the frosting and assemble right before serving.
  • Reheating: No reheating is needed for this no-cook recipe. Just remove from the fridge a few minutes before serving to allow the frosting to soften slightly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make Strawberry Santas in advance?

Yes, you can prepare the strawberries and frosting separately and assemble them right before serving for the best results. Storing fully assembled Strawberry Santas can lead to softer frosting and slight wilting of the strawberries.

What type of frosting works best for Strawberry Santas?

A thick, stable frosting like buttercream or store-bought vanilla frosting works best, as it holds its shape and keeps the “hat” in place. Avoid whipped cream if you plan to store them, as it tends to deflate and won’t hold as well.

Can I substitute the black icing gel for the eyes?

Yes! Mini chocolate chips or edible candy eyes are perfect substitutes. Just press them lightly into the frosting, and they’ll stay in place, giving each Santa a playful expression.

What should I do if my strawberries are tipping over?

If your strawberries are unsteady, try trimming the bottom to make a flatter surface. This ensures they can stand upright, especially important for serving and presentation.

Can I make this recipe vegan?

Absolutely! Use a dairy-free frosting or whipped coconut cream for the filling, and ensure any decorations are vegan-friendly. This is a great option for those with dietary preferences or restrictions.

See also:

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Strawberry Santas

These little strawberry Santas are so cute! This is a perfect treat for your Christmas party! Super easy to make, strawberry Santas are adorable and delicious!
Prep Time15 minutes
Total Time15 minutes
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: santa, santa hat, strawberry
Cooking Method: No-Cook
Diet: Vegetarian

Recommended Kitchen Tools (click the links below to see the items used to make this recipe)

Instructions

  • Wash the strawberries and blot with paper towels to dry. Cut off the leaves with a knife, making the bottoms of the strawberries flat so they can stand on a plate.
  • Put the white frosting in a piping bag (or you can use a ziploc bag with the end cut off).
  • Cut the top third off the strawberry. Blot the cut ends with a paper towel to absorb moisture.
  • Pipe the icing on top of the bottom part of the strawberry, put the top strawberry piece on top of the icing, then pipe a small amount of icing on the very top.
  • Draw the eyes on strawberry Santas using the black icing gel.
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One Comment

  1. I’m going to try these using whipped cream and tiny chocolate chips. So cute! I hope the whipped cream will hold up the weight of the cap.

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