Strawberry Santa Hats
These Strawberry Santa Hats are one of those little Christmas treats that make everyone smile, but they couldn’t be much easier to put together. I use fresh strawberries, mini powdered donuts, and mini marshmallows, then hold everything together with a toothpick.
I especially like making these when the grandkids are around because most of the assembly is easy enough for little hands to help with. An adult will need to trim the strawberries, but after that, everyone can join in.
They’re fun for Christmas morning, holiday parties, or whenever you want something festive without turning on the oven.
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Why I Love These Little Santa Hats
Sometimes the simplest Christmas treats are the ones everyone remembers.
- They only need three ingredients.
- There is no baking involved.
- Kids can help assemble them.
- You can make a whole tray in very little time.
- They work for Christmas breakfast, brunch, parties, or dessert tables.
- The strawberries keep them from feeling quite as heavy as some holiday sweets.
I also don’t mind taking a shortcut with store-bought mini donuts when the finished treat is this cute.
Key Ingredients and Supplies
You only need a few simple ingredients for these Santa donuts.
Fresh strawberries: I like strawberries that are fairly small and nicely shaped because they sit better on the mini donuts. A pointed strawberry also gives you that recognizable Santa-hat shape.
Mini powdered donuts: The powdered sugar gives you the white “fur” around the bottom of Santa’s hat without needing frosting or piping bags.
Mini marshmallows: These create the little white pom-pom at the top. I use two on each toothpick because they also help cover the exposed end.
Toothpicks: These hold the strawberry securely on the donut. Just remember that the toothpick stays inside the finished treat, so guests need to know it is there before eating.
For 12 Strawberry Santa Hats, you’ll need:
- 12 mini powdered donuts
- 12 strawberries
- 24 mini marshmallows
- 12 toothpicks
You’ll also need a sharp knife and cutting board for preparing the strawberries.
How to Make Strawberry Santa Hats
The full printable recipe is below, but these are so simple that assembly only takes a few steps.
Step 1: Prepare the strawberries
Wash the strawberries and pat them completely dry.
Remove the green leafy tops, then slice just a tiny amount from the pointed end of each strawberry.
You only need enough cut away to create a small flat spot where the marshmallows will sit. I try not to cut away too much because I still want the strawberry to look like a pointed Santa hat.
Step 2: Place the strawberries on the donuts
Set one strawberry on top of each mini powdered donut, with the wider cut stem end resting on the donut.
The strawberry should sit upright in the center.
Step 3: Secure everything with a toothpick
Push a toothpick straight down through the strawberry and into the mini donut.
Repeat with the remaining strawberries and donuts.
I prefer inserting the toothpick as straight as possible so the strawberry stays centered instead of leaning to one side.
Important
There is a toothpick inside each Santa Hat. Be sure everyone knows to remove it before eating, especially when serving these to children.
Step 4: Add the marshmallow pom-poms
Slide two mini marshmallows onto the exposed top of each toothpick.
They cover the pointed end and make the top of the strawberry look like the fluffy pom-pom on Santa’s hat.
And that’s it. Your Strawberry Santa Hats are ready to serve.
Expert Tips
These are simple treats, but a few small things help them stay neat.
- Make sure the strawberries are dry before assembling them. Wet berries can make the powdered sugar on the donuts dissolve and become sticky.
- Choose strawberries that are close in size. They don’t have to match perfectly, but smaller berries sit much better on mini donuts than very large ones.
- I also wait to assemble these until fairly close to serving time. The strawberries naturally release moisture after they are cut, and the donuts look their best while everything is still fresh.
- And if children are helping, I prepare all the strawberries first and then let them handle the stacking and marshmallows.
Easy Strawberry Santa Hat Variations
I like the original powdered-donut version because it is so simple, but there are a few easy ways to change them.
- Chocolate Strawberry Santa Hats: Use mini chocolate donuts instead of powdered donuts. You can also drizzle a little melted white chocolate around the bottom of the strawberry for extra white “fur.”
- Brownie Santa Hats: Use small brownie bites in place of the donuts. Add a little whipped cream or vanilla frosting around the base of the strawberry, then finish with a marshmallow on top.
- Oreo Santa Hats: You can also use Oreo cookies as the base. Place the strawberry on top and add a little melted white chocolate or frosting between the cookie and strawberry to help create the white Santa-hat trim.
I wouldn’t make all three versions at once unless you’re preparing a larger Christmas dessert tray. The original is usually the easiest when kids are helping.
Make Ahead of Time
I prefer making these shortly before serving.
You can prepare the strawberries a few hours ahead, dry them very well, and keep them refrigerated. Then assemble the hats closer to serving time.
If you need to assemble them ahead, place them in a single layer in a covered container in the refrigerator for a few hours.
I wouldn’t make them the night before if you want the powdered donuts to stay nice and white. The moisture from the strawberries will eventually soften the donuts and dissolve some of the powdered sugar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. A small swirl of stabilized whipped cream or frosting can be used instead of the mini marshmallows. Regular whipped cream will work if you’re serving them right away, but it can soften quickly. If the hats need to sit for a while, frosting or marshmallows hold their shape better.
They are best the day they are made. Any leftovers should be refrigerated because of the fresh strawberries, but keep in mind that the donuts will soften as they sit. This is definitely one of those treats I make fresh and enjoy the same day.
Yes, and that is one of my favorite things about them. An adult should wash and cut the strawberries and handle the toothpicks with younger children. Once that part is done, kids can help stack the strawberries, add the marshmallows, and arrange the finished hats on the serving tray. Just make sure everyone knows there is a toothpick inside before eating.
You can, but they won’t be quite as sturdy. A little frosting or melted white chocolate between the strawberry and donut can help hold the pieces together. I still prefer using the toothpick when I’m moving a full tray because everything stays in place better.
More Fun Christmas Treats
If you’re putting together a Christmas dessert table or making treats with the kids, you might also enjoy my Snowman Rice Krispie Treats, Snowman Cupcakes, or Christmas Chex Mix. They’re all playful holiday recipes that are easy to share with family and friends.
These Strawberry Santa Hats are proof that Christmas treats don’t need to be complicated to be fun. A strawberry, a mini donut, and a couple of marshmallows can turn into something the grandkids will happily help make and probably eat just as quickly.
If you make them this Christmas, I’d love to hear how they turned out. Leave me a comment and rating below and let me know if the kids helped with the assembly.
🥣 Recipe
Equipment
- Cutting Board
- 12 Toothpicks
Ingredients
- 12 mini donuts
- 12 strawberries
- 24 mini marshmallows
Instructions
- Prepare the strawberries. Wash and thoroughly dry the strawberries. Remove the green leaves and stems, then slice a tiny amount off each pointed tip to create a flat spot.
- Assemble the hats. Place one strawberry, stem-end down, in the center of each mini powdered donut.
- Secure with toothpicks. Insert a toothpick straight down through each strawberry and into the donut to hold everything together.
- Add the marshmallows. Slide two mini marshmallows onto the exposed top of each toothpick to create Santa’s fluffy pom-pom and cover the sharp end.
- Serve. Arrange on a serving platter and serve immediately for the best appearance and texture.
Notes
– Dry thoroughly: Excess moisture from the strawberries can dissolve the powdered sugar coating.
– Make ahead: These are best assembled shortly before serving. You can prepare the strawberries ahead of time and refrigerate them until needed.
– Storage: Refrigerate leftovers in a covered container and enjoy the same day.
– Variations: Try mini chocolate donuts or replace the marshmallows with a little vanilla frosting.
– Safety: Each Santa Hat contains a toothpick that must be removed before eating. Adult supervision is important when children help assemble or eat these treats.
Nutrition
Click HERE to save these Strawberry Santa Claus Hats to Pinterest
They are just adorable, but isn’t it too dangerous with a toothpick hidden inside? I know you instructed to inform guests when presenting, but someone may not hear or arrive later and pop that toothpicked Santa cap in their mouth! Perhaps a tiny pretzel rod or something else just to be safe! Merry Christmas!
Thank you! Yes a tiny pretzel rod is an awesome idea.