• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Laura Fuentes
  • Healthy Eating
  • Cookbooks
  • Recipes
  • About
  • #MOMLIFE
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • Cookbooks
  • Eat Healthy
  • Fasting
  • Meet Laura
  • Contact
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Recipes
  • Cookbooks
  • Eat Healthy
  • Fasting
  • Meet Laura
  • Contact
×

Cheesecake Stuffed Strawberry Santas

Jump to Recipe·Print Recipe

When it comes to Holiday crafts… I steer away from them. I’m just not that crafty. Somehow, when it comes to trying new things in the world of food… I’m willing to explore my nearly non-existent crafty side which is how we ended up with these cheesecake stuffed strawberry Santas.

Adorable and delicious, how could you say no to this fun recipe?

strawberry santas

Strawberry Santas

I thought these cheesecake stuffed strawberry Santas were such a cute idea, I knew I had to share them with you, along with some tips to make the most delicious little Santas ever.

What Makes the Best Strawberry Santa Filling?

While there are lots of ways to make stuffed strawberries, some work a lot better than others.

The first time I tried making them, I decided to whip up some whipped cream (heavy cream is a staple in my kitchen) and attempt to make these stuffed with whipped cream.

cutting strawberries for strawberry santas

The issue: the whipped cream caved with the weight of Santa’s hat. I then tried to stabilize the whipped cream, but I ditched that idea as well because…. well, I don’t expect you go “stabilize” your own whipped cream. I wanted easy, kid-friendly, and delicious.

The better filling: Then I remembered one of my favorite Holiday party foods: strawberry cheesecake ice cream sandwiches! Borrowing some flavors from that recipe, I knew these festive treats would be unforgettable.

Thankfully, the cream cheese in the final recipe below, added the right amount of thickness and made these Santas stand up straight and tall. Perfection!

filling strawberries with cream cheese sauce

Kid-Friendly Strawberry Santa Recipe

This recipe helped me discover that my middle son is very patient and is interested in doing things in the kitchen.

Maybe it’s easier for him since he plays with LEGO… but he had no problem putting in the little bitty mini chocolate chips that made up Santa’s eyes —while I thought to myself: surely there must be an easier way! Where are the tweezers?

He stuffed and assembled these Santas like a pro so I could take a few process pictures for you.

group of strawberry santa desserts

Bonus Tips for Better Strawberries

When you make these, remember to start with very soft cream cheese so you can mix it with the honey or powdered sugar easily and stuff the mixture inside a zip bag. Cold “cheesecake” filling is pretty difficult to squeeze out of the zip bag (or piping bag).

Once assembled, refrigerate stuffed Santas so they can hold their shape. If you are bringing these to a party, I recommend making them the night before or a few hours earlier. You won’t have leftovers so plan on making extras.

If you are wondering about using frozen strawberries for this recipe… the answer is no, sorry! When they thaw, they will get mushy .. and you don’t want mushy Santas! 

If you have frozen strawberries to use up, I recommend making smoothies, homemade strawberry milk or, my better than IHOP’s strawberry syrup recipe! 

Print

Cheesecake Stuffed Strawberry Santas

Print Recipe
Pin Recipe

★★★★★

5 from 1 reviews

These strawberry santas are always a huge hit at holiday parties and in classrooms. They’re both adorable and delicious and everyone’s favorite treat.

  • Author: Laura Fuentes
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Total Time: 20 minutes
  • Yield: 6-8
  • Category: Treat
  • Diet: Gluten Free

Ingredients

  • 16-ounce package fresh strawberries, washed
  • 4 ounces cream cheese, softened at room temperature*
  • 2 tablespoons powdered sugar
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
  • mini chocolate chips, to decorate

Instructions

  1. On a cutting board, slice the stem off the strawberry (try to cut it as “flat” as possible since the Santa-berries will use that as a base).
  2. Cut the top third of the strawberry, this will be used as the “hat”.
  3. In a mixing bowl, beat cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla. The mixture will be thick so it’s best that the cream cheese really is at room temperature.
  4. Place creamed mixture inside a zip bag (or a piping bag) and snip one corner off. Make this first cut a bit larger since you are filling the “faces” first.
  5. Top strawberry base with cream mixture, top with the strawberry hats, and squeeze additional mixture on top of the hat.
  6. Next, snip the opposite corner or the bag (or change your piping tip) and make a smaller opening. Use this end to decorate “Santa’s” jacket buttons.
  7. Use mini chocolate chips or chocolate sprinkles to decorate Santa’s eyes. Serve immediately or store in the refrigerator up to 3 days.

Equipment

Clean Treats Cookbook

Buy Now →

Notes

  • Once you create the Strawberry Santa’s, they can’t be frozen. When frozen strawberries thaw, their texture change.
  • Can you use whipped cream? Yes, but make sure a) it’s very cold when you pipe it onto the strawberry, and b) you make small “hats” otherwise they will sink inside the whipped cream.
  • Revised: you can also use whipped cream cheese and cheesecake filling (although I haven’t tried it but one of my readers has).

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 2-3 strawberries
  • Calories: 117
  • Sugar: 8g
  • Sodium: 60mg
  • Fat: 7.7g
  • Saturated Fat: 4.5g
  • Carbohydrates: 11g
  • Fiber: 1.7g
  • Protein: 2g
  • Cholesterol: 19mg

Did you make this recipe?

Tag @MOMables on Instagram and hashtag it #momables

More All Dessert Ideas

  • Homemade Gluten-Free King Cake (Beginner-Friendly Recipe!)
  • Classic Gingerbread Cake Recipe
  • Gluten-Free Snickerdoodles with Almond Flour
  • Gluten-Free Apple Crisp

Reader Interactions

Comments

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe rating ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆

  1. Bridget

    December 12, 2016 at 5:48 pm

    Can I make these the day before they are needed? Will they last?

    Reply
    • Laura Fuentes

      December 13, 2016 at 1:32 pm

      Yes! That is, if no one eats them while they are in your refrigerator 😉

      Reply
  2. Amy

    December 10, 2013 at 6:41 pm

    I made these with my 4- and 6-year old, mostly because my 6-year old was looking over my shoulder while I was at the computer. I was a little worried they would be a major project, but with their help (there was plenty that was easy enough for them to do), we did it in probably less than 30 minutes. We didn’t use a lot of dishes and it made at least 2 dozen, so there were plenty to go around when it came time to taste them. We will be making them again this month, I am sure!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Laura Fuentes

      December 11, 2013 at 8:40 pm

      So glad everyone loved the Amy!

      Reply
  3. Beth

    December 07, 2013 at 4:20 pm

    Made these today, the strawberries in our MN stores weren’t as ripe, but the vanilla really made the flavor pop! My 5 yr old loved helping me. We’ll bring them to a party tomorrow if they last that long!

    Reply
  4. Candace

    December 07, 2013 at 12:34 pm

    Can I use whipped cream cheese or will it be too soft?

    Reply
    • Laura Fuentes

      December 07, 2013 at 3:14 pm

      You definitely can use whipped cream cheese on here Candace.

      Reply
  5. Kathy

    December 06, 2013 at 7:37 am

    Can you use the boxed cream cheese cake filling ?

    Reply
    • Laura Fuentes

      December 07, 2013 at 3:31 pm

      I’ve never tried it but I am guessing you could.

      Reply
  6. California Strawberries

    December 04, 2013 at 7:00 pm

    We LOVE these so much!!

    Reply
  7. Melissa

    December 03, 2013 at 12:59 pm

    These look awesome! Can you use frosting? 🙂

    Reply
    • Laura Fuentes

      December 03, 2013 at 1:46 pm

      I am sure you could. 🙂

      Reply

Primary Sidebar

Hi! I'm Laura.
I inspire moms to live a healthy lifestyle while juggling their family and work with fresh recipes and practical advice.

More about me →

Let's Be Social!

Facebook Twitter Pinterest Instagram YouTube
Download The Busy Mom's Guide to a Healthier Life

Fresh Favorites

  • Authentic New Orleans Chicken Gumbo
  • Fluffy Chocolate Chip Pancakes
  • 20+ Low Carb Lunch Ideas
  • Baked Pesto Chicken Thighs

Trending Now

  • Valentine’s Day Gifts for Daughter
  • Homemade Gluten-Free King Cake (Beginner-Friendly Recipe!)
  • Air Fryer Salmon
  • Intermittent Fasting Food List

Footer

^ back to top

Browse

  • Recipe Index
  • Weekly Meal Plan
  • Clean Eating Program

Download the Busy Mom's Guide to a Healthy Life

laura holding meal plan guide in front of prepped food

Useful Links

  • Contact
  • Permissions
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy Policy

COPYRIGHT © 2023 LAURA FUENTES · DESIGN BY FUENTES MEDIA