Make a Stunning Strawberry Christmas Wreath Dessert Platter

Ever stare at a holiday party spread and wonder how on earth you’re supposed to create something that beautiful and still have time to actually enjoy the party? I’ve been there. That’s why I’m so excited to share this Strawberry Christmas Wreath Dessert Platter with you. It’s the ultimate centerpiece that looks like you spent all day in the kitchen, but the secret is, it comes together with a few simple, store-bought shortcuts. Honestly, it’s the kind of fuss-free, festive recipe that lets you be a guest at your own party.

Why You’ll Love This

This dessert platter is more than just pretty. It’s your ticket to holiday hosting without the stress. You get that wow factor from the gorgeous wreath shape, but the process is so incredibly simple. No baking required, no fancy pastry skills needed. Just a little assembling and arranging. It’s also a total crowd-pleaser. You’ve got sweet, creamy, tart, and crunchy all in one beautiful bite. And the best part? Kids can absolutely help with the assembly. It’s a fun activity that turns into your show-stopping dessert. So good.

Ingredients You’ll Need

• 1 (8 oz) block of cream cheese, softened: This creates the creamy, rich base for our dip.
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar: Sweetens the cream cheese mixture perfectly without any grit.
• 1 tsp pure vanilla extract: Adds that warm, classic bakery flavor we all love.
• 1 cup heavy cream: Whipped into soft peaks to lighten everything up and make it fluffy.
• 1 lb fresh strawberries: The star of the show! We’ll use them for the wreath and for dipping.
• 1 package (12-16) miniature phyllo dough shells: These buttery, flaky cups are the perfect edible vessel.
• Fresh mint sprigs and whole raspberries: For garnishing and adding that pop of festive green and red.

Let’s Get Cooking Step by Step

1. First, make the creamy filling. In a large bowl, use a hand mixer to beat the softened cream cheese until it’s completely smooth. This should only take about a minute.
2. Add the powdered sugar and vanilla extract to the bowl. Beat again on medium speed until everything is well combined and you can’t see any streaks of powdered sugar.
3. In a separate, clean bowl, pour in the heavy cream. Beat the cream on medium-high speed until stiff peaks form. This means when you lift the beaters out, the peaks of cream stand straight up.
4. Now, gently fold the whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture. Use a spatula and a light hand to combine them until you have a smooth, fluffy, uniform filling. Be careful not to overmix and deflate all that air you whipped in.
5. Time to assemble the wreath! Spread the fluffy cream mixture in a large, even circle on your serving platter, about 9-10 inches in diameter. You want it to look like the base of a wreath.
6. Take your strawberries. Slice some of them and leave a few whole with the stems on for garnish. Arrange the sliced strawberries in a circular pattern on top of the cream mixture, overlapping them slightly to create that classic wreath look.
7. Artfully arrange the miniature phyllo shells around the outer edge of the wreath. Then, fill each one with a small spoonful of the remaining cream mixture.
8. For the final, festive touches, tuck fresh mint sprigs around the wreath to mimic holly leaves. Dot a few whole raspberries and your remaining whole strawberries around the platter to fill in any gaps and add more color. Serve immediately or chill until your guests arrive!

Simple Variations & Substitutions

This recipe is wonderfully adaptable. For a lighter version, you can use neufchâtel cheese instead of full-fat cream cheese and cool whip instead of whipping your own cream. If you’re not a strawberry person, try this with other festive fruits! Blueberries, blackberries, and red grapes would be beautiful. For a nutty crunch, sprinkle some toasted sliced almonds or chopped pecans over the top of the wreath. And if you need a dairy-free option, use your favorite plant-based cream cheese and whippable coconut cream. It works like a charm.

Creative Serving Ideas & Pairings

While this platter is stunning on its own, you can easily build a whole dessert spread around it. Place a small bowl of melted chocolate or caramel sauce for drizzling right in the center of the wreath. It adds a little extra decadence that guests go crazy for. I also love setting out additional dippers around the platter. Things like pretzel twists, vanilla wafer cookies, and graham cracker sticks offer different textures and flavors. For drink pairings, this sweet treat goes perfectly with a mug of hot cocoa for the kids or a glass of sparkling cider or champagne for the adults. It’s the perfect finale to a meal of other simple Christmas desserts.

Storage & Reheating Tips

This dessert is truly best enjoyed the day it’s made. The phyllo shells can lose their signature crunch if they sit in the fridge too long. But if you do have leftovers, cover the platter tightly with plastic wrap and store it in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. I don’t recommend freezing this, as the creamy filling and fresh fruit won’t hold up well after thawing. Your best bet for make-ahead success? You can prepare the creamy filling up to two days in advance and store it in a sealed container in the fridge. Then, just assemble your entire Strawberry Christmas Wreath Dessert Platter an hour or two before your party starts.

Holiday Baking Tips For Success

A few little tips from my kitchen to yours to ensure your wreath is perfect. First, make sure your cream cheese is truly softened. Leaving it on the counter for an hour makes it blend up silky smooth instead of lumpy. When whipping your cream, ensure your bowl and beaters are completely clean and dry. Any trace of grease can prevent the cream from thickening. And when folding the whipped cream into the cheese, be gentle! You want to keep all that air in the mixture. Finally, have fun with the design. There’s no wrong way to make a wreath. It’s meant to be rustic and joyful, just like the holidays.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Can I make this dessert platter ahead of time? You can make the creamy filling up to two days in advance. But for the best texture, I recommend assembling the full platter no more than a few hours before serving to keep the phyllo shells from getting soft.
• What can I use instead of phyllo shells? Absolutely! If you can’t find them, you can use mini tart shells, shortbread cookies, or even just a ring of crackers as your base for the creamy dip.
• Are there any other easy Christmas treats that pair well with this? This wreath is a great centerpiece for a table full of holiday treats. It goes great with simple Christmas desserts like pre-made cookie dough cookies, a plate of fudge, or a bowl of holiday popcorn mix.
• My cream cheese mixture is lumpy. What did I do wrong? This usually happens if the cream cheese wasn’t soft enough. You can try to beat it a little longer, or for a surefire fix, press the finished mixture through a fine-mesh sieve to remove any lumps.