Name: Strawberry Santa Dessert with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 20 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 4 ounces cream cheese, softened; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 1/4 cup powdered sugar; 1 cup heavy cream; 12 strawberries; Mini chocolate chips (for eyes); Powdered sugar (for dusting)

Nothing says festive and fun quite like these delightful little treats. The Strawberry Santa Dessert with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe is a playful way to bring cheer to your table, and it's so simple to make! You’ll love how the sweet cream cheese frosting pairs perfectly with juicy strawberries—plus, they're almost too cute to eat.

Three small strawberry Santas sit on a white plate with a red and white striped napkin underneath. Each Santa has a layer of a halved red strawberry on the bottom as the body, a thick middle layer of white whipped cream shaped like a beard covering most of the strawberry body, two small dark chocolate chips for eyes placed above the beard, and a halved red strawberry top tilted as a hat. The hat is topped with a small dollop of white whipped cream like the hat's pom-pom. The background has warm, blurred yellow string lights and a soft wooden texture. 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 Dessert with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Strawberry Santa Dessert with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Strawberry Santa Dessert with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

This recipe holds a special place in my heart because it's one of those joy-bringing desserts that’s quick, adorable, and delicious. Whether you’re making it for kids or guests, it always sparks smiles—and the cream cheese frosting adds that luscious, creamy twist that elevates it.

Adorable Presentation: Each Strawberry Santa is practically a mini holiday masterpiece that's as fun to make as it is to eat.
Simple Ingredients: You don’t need a lot of fancy stuff—strawberries and a few pantry staples make this easy and accessible.
Quick Preparation: From start to finish, it takes about 20 minutes, perfect when you want something festive without the fuss.
Perfect for Any Occasion: Whether it’s a holiday party, a family get-together, or a sweet surprise, they fit right in.

The image shows a small dessert made to look like Santa Claus, placed on a wooden table with a dusting of powdered sugar on the left side. The dessert has two layers of bright red strawberry halves at the bottom and top. Between the strawberries, there is a thick layer of white, fluffy cream shaped like a beard and around the neck area. On top of the strawberry hat is a small dollop of the white cream as a pompom. Two small dark chocolate chips serve as eyes, set on the cream. The background has soft yellow bokeh lights, shining with warm tones. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient in the Strawberry Santa Dessert with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe plays its part to create the perfect balance of flavor and texture. Picking ripe, firm strawberries is key because they hold the shape well and stay fresh through serving.

Flat lay of twelve fresh whole strawberries with green leafy tops, a small white ceramic bowl of softened cream cheese, a small white ceramic bowl of powdered sugar, a small white ceramic bowl of heavy cream, a small white ceramic bowl of vanilla extract, and a small white ceramic bowl filled with mini chocolate chips, all arranged symmetrically with perfect natural freshness, 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 fresh, bright red berries that are firm but not too hard; this ensures your Santa hats and bodies hold up nicely.
Cream Cheese: Softened cream cheese adds tanginess and creaminess—make sure it’s at room temperature for smooth mixing.
Vanilla Extract: A splash of vanilla adds warmth and depth to the frosting, elevating the flavor without overpowering.
Powdered Sugar: This sweetens and smooths the frosting, helping it pipe easily and look beautiful.
Heavy Cream: Whipped into the cream cheese, it lightens the frosting and gives it that fluffy, airy texture perfect for Santa’s beard.
Mini Chocolate Chips: These small chocolates are the perfect size for Santa’s eyes—they add a little chocolatey contrast and fun touch.

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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

One of the best parts about this Strawberry Santa Dessert with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe is how easy it is to tweak to your tastes or needs. I love adding a pinch of cinnamon to the frosting for a subtle holiday spice vibe. Feel free to make it your own!

Variation: Sometimes I swap mini chocolate chips for tiny red candy pieces or small sprinkles to give Santa a bit more character. My niece always loves helping with this creative step.

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

Step 1: Whip Up that Cream Cheese Frosting

Start by softening your cream cheese—either leave it out of the fridge for 30 minutes or zap it in the microwave for 10 seconds. Then, mix it with vanilla extract and powdered sugar until creamy and smooth. Slowly add the heavy cream and whip until it reaches a thick, fluffy consistency—this takes about 4-5 minutes. Don’t rush here; a well-whipped frosting is key for a beautiful finish.

Step 2: Prepare Your Strawberries for Santa

Wash your strawberries gently and pat them dry—this prevents the frosting from sliding off. Trim the green stems and slice off about a quarter from the top of each berry to make the tiny Santa hats. Keep those little hats aside.

Step 3: Assemble Your Strawberry Santas

Pipe a generous amount of cream cheese frosting onto the larger bottom piece of your strawberry to create Santa’s fluffy beard. Then, carefully place the smaller “hat” piece on top to complete the look. Use the piping bag to add a little pom-pom on the tip of the hat and swirl two side flourishes to mimic Santa’s mustache. Finish by placing two mini chocolate chips for his eyes. Pop them in the fridge until it’s time to party!

Top Tip

I’ve made these several times, and a few little tricks can make your Strawberry Santas look extra festive and stay put longer:

Chill the Frosting: After whipping the cream cheese mixture, refrigerate it for about 10 minutes to stiffen up and make piping easier and neater.
Dry Strawberries Well: Moisture is the enemy here—it can make the frosting slide off, so be sure your berries are completely dry before assembling.
Use a Piping Bag: This makes adding the beard and mustache much easier and more precise—don’t settle for spooning it on!
Handle Carefully: Strawberries can be delicate, so handle each piece gently to keep your Santa well-formed and beautiful.

How to Serve Strawberry Santa Dessert with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

Garnishes

I like to dust a light sprinkle of powdered sugar over the Santas before serving—it looks like fresh snow and amps up the holiday charm. Sometimes, I add a few mint leaves on the side for a pop of color and a refreshing contrast.

Side Dishes

These little desserts pair wonderfully with hot cocoa or a cup of spiced tea. For a larger spread, I serve them alongside classic Christmas cookies or a cheese platter for balance.

Creative Ways to Present

Try arranging your Strawberry Santas in a circle to create a festive wreath on a pretty platter. I’ve also nestled them onto a bed of mini powdered donuts to add a whimsical touch that guests always ask about.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store your assembled Strawberry Santas in an airtight container in the fridge. They hold up well for about 24 hours, so I usually make them the same day for the freshest look and taste.

Freezing

I don’t recommend freezing these assembled treats because the strawberries get soggy and the frosting separates. However, you can freeze the cream cheese frosting by itself in an airtight container for up to a month and whip it up fresh when needed.

Reheating

Since this dessert is served chilled, there’s no reheating needed. Just pull from the fridge and enjoy. If you like, let them sit out 5-10 minutes before serving for the cream cheese frosting to soften slightly.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use frozen strawberries for this recipe?

Fresh strawberries are definitely best because they hold their shape and texture. Frozen strawberries release extra moisture when thawed, which can make the cream cheese frosting slide off and the overall dessert soggy.

How do I keep the cream cheese frosting from melting?

Keep the cream cheese frosting chilled before assembling and store the finished Santas in the refrigerator. Warm rooms or leaving them out too long can cause the frosting to soften or melt, so chilling is key to keeping that fluffy texture.

Can I make the frosting ahead of time?

Absolutely! The cream cheese frosting can be made a day ahead and kept covered in the refrigerator. When ready to use, just give it a quick whip with your mixer to refresh its fluffy texture before piping onto the strawberries.

What if I don’t have a piping bag?

No worries! You can use a zip-top plastic bag with a small corner cut off as an easy substitute for a piping bag. This trick is perfect for piping frosting in a neat and controlled way without special tools.

Final Thoughts

Making the Strawberry Santa Dessert with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe is like spreading a little holiday magic in your kitchen. It’s a recipe that brings smiles, gets everyone involved, and tastes just as good as it looks. I hope you enjoy making these sweet Santas as much as I do—they’re a charming addition to any festive spread, and believe me, once you try them, they become an instant tradition.