Festive Strawberry Santa
Brighten your holiday table with these charming Strawberry Santas. A stabilized cream cheese frosting and hidden chocolate anchor make these no-bake treats as sturdy as they are sweet.
Equipment
- Medium mixing bowl
- Electric hand mixer
- Piping bag with star or round tip
- Paring knife
Ingredients
- 12 Strawberries
- 4 ounces cream cheese softened
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar
- 1 cup heavy cream
- mini chocolate chips
Instructions
Whip the salted cream filling
- In a medium bowl, blend the softened cream cheese with the vanilla extract, powdered sugar, and a tiny pinch of sea salt until the mixture is glossy and completely smooth.
- Pour in the heavy cream and whip for 4 to 5 minutes until the mixture turns thick and forms stiff peaks that hold their shape.
Bag it up for clean piping
- Spoon the frosting into a piping bag fitted with a small round or star tip to achieve a snowy texture for the beards.
Prep the strawberries for stability
- Wash the strawberries and dry them until bone-dry to ensure the frosting can grip the surface without sliding.
- Slice off the stem end to create a flat base and cut about 1/4 off the top of the berry to serve as the hat.
Assemble the Santas and chill
- Create a tiny hollow in the center of each strawberry base and drop in one mini chocolate chip to act as a structural anchor.
- Pipe the cream onto the larger strawberry base in a gentle swirl, building height to cover the chocolate chip and form a plush beard.
- Place the strawberry hat on top, pipe a small white pom-pom on the tip, and add two small side swirls for the mustache.
- Add two mini chocolate chips for the eyes and refrigerate the Santas until serving to keep them crisp and upright.
Notes
Preparation Tip: Ensure the strawberries are at room temperature and completely dry before piping, as condensation can cause the frosting to lose its grip and slump.
Storage Tip: For the best texture, assemble no more than 4 hours before serving. Strawberries naturally release juice once cut, which can soften the whipped filling over time.
Stability Secret: Using a mini chocolate chip as a hidden core provides a physical anchor for the frosting, preventing the heavy strawberry hat from sliding off center.
Nutrition Disclaimer:
Nutrition information is estimated based on common ingredients and serving sizes and may vary.
Nutrition
Calories: 68kcalCarbohydrates: 4gProtein: 1gFat: 5.5gSaturated Fat: 3.4gCholesterol: 17mgSodium: 38mgPotassium: 45mgFiber: 0.5gSugar: 3.1gVitamin A: 185IUVitamin C: 15mgCalcium: 22mgIron: 0.1mg
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!