Strawberry Santa Cookies Recipe

If you’re on the hunt for a festive, fun, and downright adorable holiday treat, look no further — this Strawberry Santa Cookies Recipe is going to be your new go-to. I remember the first time I made these, and honestly, they stole the show at my family Christmas party. The combination of fresh strawberries, fluffy cream cheese frosting, and those cute little Santa hats made these cookies as delightful to look at as they were to eat. Stick with me here because I’m about to share everything you need to make this fan-freaking-tastic recipe shine in your kitchen too!

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Ingredients You’ll Need

These ingredients are easy to find and come together beautifully to make your Strawberry Santa Cookies Recipe festive and tasty. The cream cheese provides that luscious creamy texture, while fresh strawberries keep it bright and juicy—plus, the decorating touches seal the deal.

• Cream Cheese: Use softened cream cheese so it’s easy to whip up a smooth, fluffy frosting base without lumps.
• Powdered Sugar: I recommend the classic powdered sugar here—it blends seamlessly and creates that perfect silky frosting.
• Large Strawberries: Pick firm, ripe strawberries that can stand on their own once trimmed and cut—these are your Santas’ bodies and hats.
• Black Decorating Icing: This is your secret weapon for those tiny Santa eyes—easy to apply with just a little squeeze!
• Round Red Sprinkles or Red/Orange Decorating Icing: For that cute little nose, choose whichever you find easiest; I’ve used both, and they each bring charm.

Variations

I love how versatile this Strawberry Santa Cookies Recipe is—once you get comfortable with the basic version, you can customize it in all sorts of fun ways to suit your style or dietary needs.

• Dairy-Free Version: I once swapped the cream cheese for a plant-based alternative and it worked beautifully—just make sure your substitute is soft and spreadable for easy piping.
• Mini Santas: Try using smaller strawberries to create bite-sized versions perfect for parties or gatherings where finger food rules.
• Flavor Twists: Add a bit of vanilla extract to your cream cheese frosting for an extra layer of sweetness and warmth.
• Colorful Noses: Instead of red sprinkles, get creative with candy pearls or edible glitter for a sparkly holiday vibe.

How to Make Strawberry Santa Cookies Recipe

Step 1: Whip Up the Cream Cheese Frosting

Start by beating your softened cream cheese until it’s light and fluffy—this is key for that smooth frosting texture. Using a mixer on low speed, gradually add the powdered sugar. If your cream cheese is too cold, you might end up with lumps, so take your time here! I like to beat it for a solid 3-4 minutes to get it just right.

Step 2: Prepare Your Strawberries for Santa’s Outfit

Trim the strawberry stems off the bottoms to create a flat surface so they can stand upright—think of this as Santa’s body. Then, cut each strawberry about three-quarters of the way up to separate the top “hat” cone from the larger body piece. Keep those hats aside; they’ll crown your Santas perfectly.

Step 3: Pipe On the Cream Cheese “Beard”

Fill a piping bag fitted with a round tip (I swear by a Wilton 2A, but any similar size will work) with your cream cheese mixture. On each large strawberry base, pipe an upward swirl of frosting in two layers to mimic the fluffy beard and suit front. This step is where your Santas really take shape, so go slow and steady to keep your swirls neat and puffy.

Step 4: Add Santa’s Sweet Face Details

Using black decorating icing, dot two tiny eyes on the cream cheese swirl right in the middle. For the nose, I either press on a single round red sprinkle or carefully pipe a small dot of red or orange icing—both are equally adorable! This is the moment the cookie really comes alive with personality.

Step 5: Top Off with the Strawberry Hat and Pom Pom

Place the smaller strawberry cone (Santa’s hat) gently on top of the cream cheese swirl. Then pipe a little dot of frosting at the tip of the hat to create the classic pom pom. I like to pipe in the direction of the strawberry’s natural tip to give it a adorable, whimsical finish. And just like that, your Strawberry Santa Cookies are ready to spread holiday cheer!

How to Serve Strawberry Santa Cookies Recipe

Garnishes

I like to keep the garnishes simple so the strawberries shine, but a light dusting of powdered sugar around the serving plate gives a “snowy” effect that’s just magical. Sometimes I add tiny edible silver balls to accent the pom pom frosting for extra sparkle—it’s incredible how these little touches make a difference.

Side Dishes

These Strawberry Santa Cookies pair perfectly with a warm cup of hot cocoa or a frothy eggnog—perfect combo for cozy winter nights. You could also serve them alongside a cheese and fruit platter for a fun holiday appetizer spread.

Creative Ways to Present

For holiday parties, I like arranging these Santas standing upright on a bed of fresh mint leaves or shredded coconut “snow” to create a festive scene. You can also skewer each cookie on a decorative toothpick to make them easy to grab and nibble during gatherings. Trust me, they’ll disappear fast!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you have any leftovers (which is rare!), I’ve found storing the assembled cookies in an airtight container in the fridge works best to keep the cream cheese frosting fresh and the strawberries crisp. Try to enjoy them within 2 days for the best texture.

Freezing

I generally don’t freeze these because strawberries can get watery, and frosting texture changes when thawed. But if you want to prep the cream cheese frosting ahead, you can freeze it in an airtight container and whip it again before piping—just don’t freeze the assembled cookies.

Reheating

Since these are no-bake cookies with fresh berries, reheating isn’t necessary, and I actually recommend serving them chilled or at room temperature. If your kitchen is warm, popping them in the fridge for a bit before serving refreshes the cream cheese frosting nicely.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

Honestly, this Strawberry Santa Cookies Recipe has become a holiday favorite in my house, bringing smiles every year. They’re so simple, yet the festive look makes them unforgettable. I love sharing this recipe with friends because it’s approachable and always impresses. I hope you give it a try—you’ll enjoy making them as much as everyone enjoys eating them! Happy baking, and may your holidays be as sweet and joyful as these little Santas.

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