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These Christmas Strawberry Santas capture the magic of the holidays with a fun and simple nobake dessert. Made from fresh strawberries filled with sweetened whipped cream and decorated with tiny chocolate chip eyes, they bring festive charm and fresh flavor to any holiday table. Perfect for parties, brunches, or as a playful treat for kids and adults alike, these Santas combine juicy fruitiness with creamy sweetness in a bitesized delight that brightens up any celebration.
I first made these during a lastminute holiday gathering and was amazed how everyone loved both how cute and tasty they were. It became an instant favorite that I now bring out every Christmas season.
Ingredients
- Fresh strawberries: one pint choose firm, bright red berries with wide bases for the best Santa shape
- Heavy whipping cream: half a cup creates fluffy, rich filling that holds the Santas together
- Powdered sugar: two tablespoons to sweeten and stabilize the whipped cream gently
- Vanilla extract: one teaspoon adds subtle warmth and depth to the cream
- Mini chocolate chips: for eyes small and easy to press in for adorable facial details
- Red and green sprinkles: optional for adding colorful festive buttons on Santa’s coat
- Powdered sugar for dusting: optional for a snowy effect to finish off the look
- Tip: Look for fresh berries free of bruises and cream that is cold and fresh to ensure perfect texture
Instructions
- Slicing the Strawberries:
- Wash and dry the strawberries completely to keep cream from sliding off. Remove the leafy tops by hulling and then slice off the pointed tip of each berry. This creates a larger base that forms Santa’s body and a smaller pointed tip for his hat. Set these aside carefully.
- Whipping the Cream:
- Pour the heavy whipping cream into a chilled mixing bowl and add powdered sugar along with vanilla extract. Beat with a mixer on mediumhigh speed until stiff peaks form. The cream should hold its shape firmly without collapsing. Take care not to overwhip or it will turn grainy. For extra stability mix in a tablespoon of instant pudding mix or a teaspoon of cornstarch before beating.
- Assembling Santa’s Body:
- Fill a piping bag or a resealable plastic bag with whipped cream. Pipe generous swirls of cream onto the flat side of the larger strawberry pieces. This forms the fluffy coat and beard of Santa.
- Adding the Hat:
- Gently press the small pointed strawberry tips on top of the whipped cream swirls to create Santa’s hat. Add a tiny dollop of whipped cream at the tip as the signature pompom.
- Decorating Eyes and Buttons:
- Carefully push mini chocolate chips into the whipped cream to create Santa’s eyes. If you like, add red and green sprinkles to the cream for coat buttons or pipe small cream swirls for a mustache or beard details.
- Dusting Snow:
- Lightly sift powdered sugar over the finished Santas to give a snowy Christmas effect. Arrange them on a festive dessert platter and enjoy the whimsical presentation.
The mini chocolate chips create instantly recognizable expressive eyes that give each Santa personality. I remember my kids’ smiles growing wide the first time they saw these little Santas lined up. It instantly lifted the holiday spirit in our home.
Storage Tips
Store the assembled Santas in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They are best enjoyed within a few hours as strawberries can release moisture that softens the whipped cream over time. If you need to prepare in advance keep the whipped cream ready and strawberries sliced separately and assemble just before serving.
Ingredient Substitutions
For a dairyfree version use coconut cream whipped until fluffy instead of heavy cream. You can substitute powdered sugar with maple syrup or agave for natural sweetness but add it sparingly. Mini chocolate chips can be replaced with small edible sugar pearls or tiny dots of melted chocolate piped with a toothpick.
Serving Suggestions
Serve the Strawberry Santas as part of a holiday dessert board alongside gingerbread cookies, festive candies, or spiced nuts. They also work wonderfully as a sweet topper for Christmas pancakes or waffles. Kids especially enjoy making and eating these during holiday baking parties.
These Strawberry Santas are an easy, festive nobake treat that brings smiles to any holiday table. Assemble them just before serving for best texture.
Your Recipe Questions Answered
- → What kind of strawberries work best?
Choose fresh strawberries with wide bases and bright red color for an ideal shape and vibrant look.
- → How do I make the whipped cream hold its shape?
Use chilled heavy cream and beat until stiff peaks form. Adding a small amount of instant pudding mix or cornstarch can help stabilize the cream longer.
- → Can I prepare these ahead of time?
Yes, assemble them shortly before serving and keep refrigerated to preserve freshness and whipped cream texture.
- → What decorations can I add?
Mini chocolate chips are perfect for eyes, while red and green sprinkles can mimic buttons. A light dusting of powdered sugar adds a snowy effect.
- → Are these suitable for kids to help make?
Absolutely! The no-bake assembly is simple and fun, making it a great holiday activity for children.