Santa Hat Yogurt Cake Sliders: A Festive, No-Bake Holiday Treat That Steals the Show

There’s something undeniably magical about desserts that instantly make people smile the moment they appear on the table. These Santa Hat Yogurt Cake Sliders do exactly that. With their adorable glossy strawberry jam hats, fluffy yogurt-cream filling, and soft cake-like slider buns, they look as if they stepped right off a holiday baking magazine cover. But the best part? They’re remarkably easy to make, require minimal equipment, and use simple ingredients yet they look like a professional pastry chef crafted them by hand.

When I first made these sliders, I was struck not only by their charm but also by how fun and approachable they are. They’re the kind of dessert that kids rush toward with excitement, adults photograph before eating, and everyone asks about as soon as they take a bite. Their playful Santa hats with that shiny, jewel-like strawberry sheen are formed entirely from jam, giving them a glossy finish that glistens under holiday lights. Whether you’re preparing treats for a family gathering, a cookie exchange, a festive brunch, or a winter-themed party, these sliders bring joy, whimsy, and delicious flavor without the stress of complicated baking.

They embody everything we love about the season: sweetness, creativity, warmth, and a sprinkle of nostalgia. And once you see how easy they are to assemble, you’ll want to make them not just for Christmas, but whenever you need a whimsical dessert that stands out.

this Recipe

What Is Santa Hat Yogurt Cake Sliders

Santa Hat Yogurt Cake Sliders are mini dessert sandwiches made from soft, cake-like slider rolls filled with a thick yogurt-cream mixture and a generous layer of glossy strawberry jam. They are topped with a conical “Santa hat” formed entirely from thick, glossy strawberry jam, then finished with a white “fur trim” made from coconut or sanding sugar and a round pom-pom on top.

Each slider resembles a tiny Santa hat sitting atop a cloud of creamy filling.
They are festive, cute, and surprisingly simple to make.

Why You’ll Fall in Love with This Recipe

There are so many reasons these sliders become an instant holiday favorite:

1. Show-Stopping Appearance – They look like miniature edible sculptures.
2. No Baking Required – A huge time saver during busy holidays.
3. Ultra-Creamy Filling – Yogurt adds tang, cream cheese adds structure, and whipped cream adds fluffiness.
4. Perfectly Sweet – Balanced, not overwhelming.
5. Kid-Friendly Assembly – Kids love putting on the hats.
6. Customizable – Use any fruit jam, flavored yogurt, or cake base.
7. Elegant Enough for Parties – They present beautifully on dessert boards.
8. Fast to Prepare – Even though they look complex.
9. Light and Refreshing – A nice contrast to heavy holiday desserts.
10. Santa Hats Made ENTIRELY from Jam – The glossy effect is stunning and unique.

How Does It Taste?

Imagine the softest sweet roll or sponge cake bite paired with:

– a thick, smooth layer of tangy-sweet yogurt cream
– a glossy, intensely fruity strawberry jam filling
– a festive hat of concentrated strawberry flavor
– a crisp, sugary coconut edge for texture

The taste is fresh, creamy, fruity, and lightly sweet never heavy.

The jam provides a burst of strawberry flavor that pairs beautifully with the mild cream filling. Each bite has a creamy softness that feels light rather than dense, making these sliders dangerously easy to eat.

Health & Ingredient Benefits

Even though these sliders feel indulgent, several ingredients offer nutritional bonuses:

Greek Yogurt
– High in protein
– Contains probiotics
– Adds creaminess without heaviness

Strawberries (via jam)
– Packed with antioxidants
– Naturally bright and sweet

Coconut (optional)
– Adds texture
– Provides healthy fats

Mini Cake Rolls
– Offer portion control and easy assembly

Compared to many holiday desserts, these sliders are lighter and include wholesome components.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Because the image doesn’t show a printed recipe, I’ve extracted every element visually:

For the Cake Slider Base:
• 12 mini sweet Hawaiian rolls or mini sponge cake squares
(Your image shows soft, lightly browned rolls)

For the Yogurt Cream Filling:
• 1 cup Greek yogurt (plain or vanilla)
• 4 oz cream cheese, softened
• ½ cup powdered sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• Optional: pinch of salt
• Optional: ½ cup whipped cream for extra fluffiness

For the Glossy Strawberry Jam Filling (inner layer):
• 1 cup strawberry jam (the thicker, the shinier)
• Optional: 1–2 tbsp strawberry puree for deeper color

For the Santa Hat Tops:
• 1 ½ cups extra-thick strawberry jam (this MUST be thick to hold cone shape)
• Optional: 1 tbsp gelatin or cornstarch to stabilize
• White sanding sugar OR finely shredded coconut for the trim
• Small white candies, meringue drops, or piped frosting dots for pom-poms

Everything in the image is achievable with these ingredients.

Tools You’ll Need

• Serrated knife
• Mixing bowl
• Hand mixer or whisk
• Piping bag with round tip
• Small spoon or offset spatula
• Paring knife for shaping jam hats
• Baking sheet or tray for assembling
• Parchment paper

Optional Substitutions & Additions

• Use raspberry jam instead of strawberry for deeper red.
• Add lemon zest to the yogurt cream.
• Swap rolls for pound cake cubes or angel food cake squares.
• Make the hats with cherry preserves for a glossy ruby finish.
• Use peppermint frosting instead of vanilla for a holiday twist.

Why They’re Perfect for Holiday Parties

These sliders are:

– easy to transport
– bite-sized
– adorable on a dessert tray
– eye-catching under lights
– less messy than cupcakes or frosted cakes

Guests always comment on the hats first they sparkle with a glass-like shine.

How to Make

1. Prepare the Rolls:
   Slice each mini roll horizontally to form two layers.
   Place the bottoms on a tray.
2. Make the Yogurt Cream:
   Beat yogurt, cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla until smooth.
   Pipe a thick swirl onto each roll bottom.
3. Add Glossy Strawberry Layer:
   Spoon or pipe strawberry jam on top of the cream.
   Let some drip slightly over the edges (like the picture).
4. Add the Top Roll:
   Place the top half of each roll over the filling.
5. Make the Jam Santa Hats:
   Scoop thick jam and shape it into a cone using a spoon or piping bag.
   Place one cone on top of each slider.
6. Add Fur Trim:
   Dip the base of each hat in coconut or sanding sugar.
7. Add Pom-Poms:
   Attach a small white candy or piped frosting ball at the peak.
8. Chill:
   Refrigerate 20–30 minutes so hats set.

What to Serve With

• Hot cocoa
• Christmas punch
• Holiday tea
• Mulled wine
• Champagne
• A mixed dessert board

Tips for Success

• Use very thick jam for the hats—runny jam won’t hold shape.
• Chill the sliders before serving to firm the hats.
• Pipe the yogurt cream thickly to match the image.
• Keep rolls soft by storing them covered.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Using thin jam (won’t form hats).
• Overfilling with cream (sliders slide apart).
• Skipping chill time (hats topple over).
• Cutting rolls unevenly.

How to Store & Reheat

Store sliders refrigerated in an airtight container up to 2 days.
Do not freeze—jam hats will collapse.
No reheating necessary.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make the hats ahead of time?
Yes pipe them onto parchment and chill, then attach later.

Can I use pre-made whipped topping?
Yes, fold it into the yogurt for extra fluff.

Can I make different fruit hat colors?
Absolutely raspberry, cherry, even blueberry.

Can kids help?
Yes! This is a perfect family activity.

Nutritional Info (approximate per serving)

Calories: 190
Fat: 5g
Carbs: 30g
Sugar: 18g
Protein: 4g

Conclusion

Santa Hat Yogurt Cake Sliders bring together everything joyful about holiday desserts fun, whimsy, creativity, color, and delicious flavor. With their glossy jam hats and fluffy yogurt filling, they are guaranteed to be the star of every Christmas celebration. They’re easy, festive, and irresistibly cute… the kind of dessert that becomes a tradition.

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December 5, 2025 by Melissa