Description
Strawberry Cheesecake Santas are adorable, no-bake Christmas treats made with fresh strawberries and sweet, creamy cheesecake filling. They take just 10 minutes to prepare and make a festive dessert that kids and adults will love at holiday parties.
Ingredients
- 1 (16-ounce) package fresh strawberries, washed
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 5 tablespoons powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Chocolate sprinkles or seeds, for Santa’s eyes
Instructions
- Wash the strawberries thoroughly and pat them dry with paper towels.
- Slice off the leafy stems so the strawberries have flat bases that can stand upright.
- Cut approximately one-third of the way down from each strawberry tip to create Santa’s hat.
- In a mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy.
- Transfer the cheesecake filling to a piping bag or a zip-top bag with one corner snipped off.
- Pipe a generous amount of cheesecake filling onto each strawberry base.
- Place the strawberry tip on top of the filling to form Santa’s hat.
- Pipe a small dollop of cheesecake filling onto the tip of each hat to create the pom-pom.
- Use a toothpick dipped in the cheesecake mixture to add small white buttons or decorative details to the front.
- Add chocolate sprinkles or seeds for Santa’s eyes.
- Arrange the finished Strawberry Cheesecake Santas on a serving platter and serve immediately, or refrigerate until ready to enjoy.
Notes
- Serve chilled: These treats taste best when the cheesecake filling is cool and firm.
- Christmas presentation: Arrange the Santas on a festive platter with mint leaves or other holiday treats.
- Choose firm strawberries: Medium-sized strawberries with pointed tips work especially well for creating Santa hats.
- Dry the strawberries thoroughly: Excess water can make the cream cheese filling slippery and cause the decorations to slide.
- Make ahead: Prepare the cheesecake filling in advance, but assemble the Santas closer to serving time for the freshest appearance.
- Refrigeration: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, although they are best enjoyed within 24 hours for optimal texture.
- Avoid freezing: Freezing is not recommended because strawberries can become watery and soft after thawing.
- Transporting: Keep the Santas refrigerated during transport and place them in a single layer to prevent the decorations from being damaged.