Santa Hat Desserts: 15 Viral Christmas Treats, Starting With the Mini Cheesecakes Liked 908,000 Times

Santa hat desserts are the little red-and-white treats that take over every cookie swap, class party and Instagram feed the minute December arrives. One reel of mini cheesecakes wearing strawberry hats passed 908,000 likes, and a batch of frosted brownie triangles drew another 93,000. The idea borrows straight from the classic Santa suit: bright red with a snowy white trim and a fluffy pompom on top. A ripe strawberry, a swirl of whipped cream and a sturdy base are all it takes. Kids can help with almost every step, most of these keep well overnight, and they look right at home next to our Christmas tree desserts. Here are 15 ideas, from the viral cheesecakes to a sleepy Christmas morning stack of pancakes..

Mini Cheesecake Santa Hat Desserts

This is the one that started the craze. A creamy vanilla cheesecake round sits on a buttery graham crust, a strawberry goes on upside down, and a dot of whipped cream turns it into a tiny Santa hat. The reel that made it famous passed 908,000 likes, and it is easy to see why. They bake in a muffin tin, chill overnight, and travel well to a party. If you love this style, browse our holiday cheesecake desserts next. Make a double batch, because the first tray never lasts..

You will need: 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs, 5 tablespoons melted butter, 16 ounces cream cheese, 1/2 cup sugar, 2 eggs, 1 teaspoon vanilla, 12 strawberries, 1 cup whipped cream.

How to make it: 1. Press buttered crumbs into 12 lined muffin cups and bake 5 minutes at 325 degrees F. 2. Beat cream cheese, sugar, eggs and vanilla, spoon over the crusts and bake 18 to 20 minutes. 3. Chill 4 hours, pipe a cream ring, add a hulled strawberry point up and a cream dot on top.

Santa Hat Desserts in Brownie Form

Santa hat brownies drew 93,000 likes for a simple reason: you only need one pan and a knife. Bake a fudgy slab, cut it into triangles, then frost the top half red and pipe a thick white band across the bottom. A small dollop of white frosting on the point finishes the hat. They are the easiest bake sale win of the season, and the red frosting hides any uneven cuts. For more fudgy ideas, see our Christmas brownies roundup. Of all the Santa hat desserts here, this one is the quickest to finish.

You will need: 1 batch fudgy brownies (9×13 pan), 1 cup vanilla frosting, 1 cup frosting tinted red, piping bags or zip bags.

How to make it: 1. Bake and fully cool the brownies, then chill 30 minutes for clean cuts. 2. Cut into 3-inch strips, then into triangles. 3. Spread red frosting on the top two thirds, pipe a white band at the base and a white dot on the tip.

Strawberry Santa Hat Cupcakes

Strawberry Santa hat cupcakes are the version you will see at every school party this year. A swirl of stabilized whipped cream acts as the hat brim, and a strawberry sits on top like the hat itself. A mint leaf on the side adds a little holly. They look bakery-fancy but take only minutes once the cupcakes cool. Vanilla or strawberry cake both work. Our Christmas cupcakes collection has more ways to dress them up. Top them close to serving time so the cream stays tall. Few Santa hat desserts are easier.

You will need: 24 vanilla cupcakes, 2 cups heavy cream, 1/2 cup powdered sugar, 2 ounces softened cream cheese, 24 strawberries, mint leaves.

How to make it: 1. Beat cream cheese and powdered sugar, then add cream and whip to stiff peaks. 2. Pipe a tall swirl on each cooled cupcake. 3. Set a hulled strawberry point up on the swirl and tuck in a mint leaf.

Mini Cheesecake Bites With Berry Crowns

Santa hat cheesecake bites are the party tray cousin of the viral minis. Bake one big slab of cheesecake, cut it into small squares or rounds, and crown each with a rosette of cream and a strawberry. One pan feeds a crowd, and they slice neatly straight from the fridge. Use a chocolate cookie crust for a darker base under the bright red berries. Want a richer filling? Borrow a trick from our bakery-style cheesecake recipes. Wipe the knife between cuts for sharp edges on your Santa hat desserts.

You will need: 2 cups chocolate cookie crumbs, 6 tablespoons melted butter, 24 ounces cream cheese, 3/4 cup sugar, 3 eggs, 1/2 cup sour cream, strawberries, whipped cream.

How to make it: 1. Press crumbs and butter into a lined 9×13 pan and bake 8 minutes at 325 degrees F. 2. Beat the filling, pour over and bake 30 to 35 minutes, then chill overnight. 3. Cut into 2-inch pieces, pipe a cream rosette and add a small strawberry.

Sugar Cookie Santa Hat Desserts

Sugar cookie Santa hats are the classic cutout for a reason. One curved hat cutter, a bowl of red icing and a bowl of white are all you need. Pipe the red top, let it set, then add a thick white brim and pompom and press on coarse sugar so it sparkles like snow. They stack well in tins and ship well to family. For a dough that holds its shape, start with our Christmas sugar cookies guide. Santa hat desserts like these make a cheerful cookie swap tray.

You will need: 1 batch cutout sugar cookie dough, red royal icing, white royal icing, coarse white sanding sugar, a Santa hat or stocking cutter.

How to make it: 1. Roll the dough 1/4 inch thick, cut hats and bake 8 to 10 minutes at 350 degrees F. 2. Flood the top with red icing and let it set 1 hour. 3. Pipe a thick white brim and pompom and sprinkle with sanding sugar.

Santa Hat Desserts on a Stick

Santa hat banana pops are a lighter treat that still feels like a party. Thread a thick banana slice and a strawberry on a stick, dip the banana in white chocolate, and finish with a mini marshmallow on the strawberry tip. Little hands can do almost every step. They are best the day they are made, so plan them for a class party or a movie night. Ripe bananas left over? Our ripe banana desserts have you covered. Chill these Santa hat desserts on parchment before serving.

You will need: 3 firm bananas, 12 strawberries, 1 cup white chocolate chips, 1 teaspoon coconut oil, 12 mini marshmallows, 12 short skewers.

How to make it: 1. Cut bananas into 1-inch rounds and thread one on each skewer, then a hulled strawberry point up. 2. Melt chips with the oil and dip the banana pieces. 3. Top each berry with a marshmallow and chill 15 minutes on parchment.

Crispy Rice Treat Santa Hats

Crispy rice treat Santa hats are pure fun for the kids table. Shape the warm marshmallow mixture into cones with buttered hands, coat them in red candy melts, then press a ring of mini marshmallows around the base. A large marshmallow on top makes the pompom. No oven is needed, and you can make them two days ahead. For more no-bake ideas, try our Christmas crispy rice treats roundup. Work fast while the mixture is still soft.

You will need: 6 cups crispy rice cereal, 1 bag (10 ounces) marshmallows, 3 tablespoons butter, 2 cups red candy melts, 1 cup mini marshmallows, 12 large marshmallows.

How to make it: 1. Melt butter and marshmallows, stir in cereal and cool 5 minutes. 2. Shape into 12 cones with buttered hands and let them firm up. 3. Dip in melted red candy, press mini marshmallows around the base and top with a large marshmallow.

Red Velvet Swirl Cupcakes

Red velvet Santa hat cupcakes take the theme all the way down to the crumb. A tall red swirl of frosting forms the hat, and a white collar of cream cheese frosting forms the trim. Tiny white star sprinkles make them look like they came from a bakery case. Tulip liners help them stand tall on a dessert table. Red velvet lovers will find plenty more in our red velvet Christmas desserts. Gel coloring gives Santa hat desserts the deepest red without thinning the frosting.

You will need: 24 red velvet cupcakes, 2 cups cream cheese frosting, 2 cups buttercream tinted with red gel, white star sprinkles, tulip liners.

How to make it: 1. Bake cupcakes in tulip liners and cool fully. 2. Pipe a ring of white cream cheese frosting around the edge. 3. Pipe a tall red cone in the center and finish with star sprinkles.

Santa Hat Deviled Strawberries

Santa hat deviled strawberries are a two-bite treat that looks far fancier than it is. Trim the stem end flat so the berry stands up, hollow out the center with a small spoon, then pipe in sweetened cream cheese. A last swirl peeks out of the top like a pompom. A light dusting of powdered sugar looks like fresh snow. They are a great no-bake job for older kids, and you will find more ideas in our Christmas treats for kids. These Santa hat desserts keep up to four hours ahead.

You will need: 24 large strawberries, 8 ounces softened cream cheese, 1/2 cup powdered sugar, 1 teaspoon vanilla, 1/2 cup heavy cream, extra powdered sugar.

How to make it: 1. Slice the stem end flat and scoop a small pocket from each berry. 2. Beat cream cheese, sugar and vanilla, then whip in the cream until fluffy. 3. Pipe into the berries, finish with a small swirl on top and dust with powdered sugar.

Strawberry Cream Mini Tarts

Santa hat mini tarts bring a bit of French pastry shop style to the cookie table. Crisp little shells hold a scoop of vanilla pastry cream, and a strawberry tip pointed up makes the hat. A dot of cream on top finishes the look. Store-bought tart shells make them a 15-minute job. If you enjoy the crunch of a buttery crust, our fruit tart recipes will feel like home. Fill them no more than two hours before serving.

You will need: 24 mini tart shells, 2 cups vanilla pastry cream or pudding, 12 strawberries, 1/2 cup whipped cream.

How to make it: 1. Bake or warm the tart shells and let them cool. 2. Spoon or pipe pastry cream into each shell. 3. Cut each strawberry in half crosswise, set the pointed half on top and add a cream dot.

Breakfast Santa Hat Desserts: Pancakes

Santa hat pancakes turn Christmas morning into a small celebration before a single gift is opened. Stack fluffy buttermilk pancakes, add a cloud of whipped cream, and set a strawberry on top with a little cream pompom. Kids can build their own at the table. Mix the dry ingredients the night before so breakfast takes 15 minutes. For more stacks worth waking up for, see our weekend pancake recipes. Santa hat desserts for breakfast? Absolutely.

You will need: 2 cups flour, 2 tablespoons sugar, 2 teaspoons baking powder, 1/2 teaspoon baking soda, 2 cups buttermilk, 2 eggs, 4 tablespoons melted butter, whipped cream, strawberries.

How to make it: 1. Whisk dry ingredients, then stir in buttermilk, eggs and butter until just combined. 2. Cook 1/4 cup rounds on a buttered griddle until bubbles form, then flip. 3. Stack, top with whipped cream and a strawberry and add a cream dot.

Strawberries and Cream Waffles

Santa hat waffles work for brunch or a festive dessert bar. Cut the waffle into triangles, pile sliced strawberries over the top half for the red hat, then pipe a thick band of whipped cream along the bottom edge. A dot of cream on the point finishes it. A dusting of powdered sugar adds a snowy touch. Frozen waffles work fine for a busy week. Our French toast and waffle recipes have a batter worth making from scratch. Serve right away while they are crisp.

You will need: 4 Belgian waffles, 2 cups sliced strawberries, 1 cup whipped cream, powdered sugar.

How to make it: 1. Cook or toast the waffles and cut each into two triangles. 2. Cover the top half with sliced strawberries. 3. Pipe whipped cream along the base and on the tip, then dust with powdered sugar.

White Chocolate Santa Hat Strawberries

White chocolate Santa hat strawberries are the fastest treat on this list. For the hat look, dip only the wide end of each berry in melted white chocolate, set it point up to firm, then add a tiny dot of chocolate to the tip. Fully dipped berries, like the ones shown, make a snowy platter of their own. Both kinds disappear fast. They pair nicely with a tin of our homemade Christmas candy for gifting. Dry the berries completely so the chocolate sticks.

You will need: 1 pound strawberries, 1 1/2 cups white chocolate chips or melting wafers, 1 teaspoon coconut oil.

How to make it: 1. Wash the berries and dry them completely. 2. Melt the white chocolate with the oil in 20-second bursts. 3. Dip the wide end of each berry, set it point up on parchment and add a small dot on the tip.

Strawberry Shortcake Cups

Santa hat shortcake cups turn a summer favorite into a Christmas treat. Layer cubes of pound cake or biscuit with sweet sliced strawberries and whipped cream, then crown each serving with an entire strawberry and a little cream pompom. They can be built in clear cups for a party or on small plates for a family dinner. For more spoonable layers, see our layered trifle desserts. Macerate the berries 20 minutes so their juice soaks into the cake.

You will need: 1 pound cake or 6 shortcake biscuits, 1 quart strawberries, 3 tablespoons sugar, 2 cups whipped cream.

How to make it: 1. Slice most berries, toss with sugar and rest 20 minutes. 2. Layer cake cubes, berries and whipped cream in cups or on plates. 3. Top each with a full strawberry and a dot of cream.

Santa Hat Desserts for Cake Lovers

Santa hat sponge cake is the showpiece of the season. Light vanilla layers are filled with cream, and every slice gets a strawberry hat on top. In Japan, a strawberry and cream sponge is the classic Christmas cake. Bake the layers a day ahead, then fill and decorate the morning of the party. If you want a centerpiece that wows, browse our showstopper Christmas cakes. Set a ring of berries around the top so each slice gets its own hat.

You will need: 4 eggs, 3/4 cup sugar, 1 cup cake flour, 3 tablespoons melted butter, 2 tablespoons milk, 2 cups heavy cream, 1/4 cup powdered sugar, 1 quart strawberries.

How to make it: 1. Whip eggs and sugar until thick and pale, fold in flour, then butter and milk, and bake in two 8-inch pans 20 to 25 minutes at 340 degrees F. 2. Whip cream with powdered sugar and slice half the berries. 3. Fill with cream and sliced berries, frost the top and ring it with hulled strawberries.