SPREAD LOVE

Short, Catchy Intro

So you crave something cute, festive, and almost suspiciously simple to make, huh Same. Meet the Santa Hat Yogurt Cake Sliders: tiny, adorable little sandwich cakes that look like holiday couture and taste like a dessert that tried its best and succeeded. These are perfect if you want to impress guests without pretending you cooked for six hours. They come together fast, they are playful, and they let you use jam like a grown up.

Want to pair them with something equally fun for a party table Try this Star Wars cupcake idea I stumbled on and loved for themed events Star Wars Cupcakes That Are Easy To Make. Yeah I am not above linking to epic snack buddies.

Why This Recipe is Awesome

This recipe hits all the good spots. It looks fancy but feels lazy in the best possible way. No baking stress, no weird gelatin science, no tiny piping skills required unless you want to get Tom Colicchio level dramatic. It is also:

Ridiculously forgiving. Mess up the swirl and call it modern art.
Kid friendly. Little hands can help assemble and decorate.
Portable. Bake buddies, potlucks, last minute hostess gifts all say yes.
Customizable. Swap jams or add a splash of liqueur if you feel cheeky.

Best part It is idiot proof. I made a few and none exploded or demanded therapy. If I can do it, you can do it.

Ingredients You’ll Need

12 mini sweet rolls
1 cup Greek yogurt
4 oz cream cheese softened
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup thick strawberry jam inner layer
1 1/2 cups extra thick strawberry jam Santa hats
White sanding sugar or coconut
Small white candies or frosting dots

Step-by-Step Instructions

Slice rolls in half and place bottoms on a tray.
Beat yogurt, cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla until smooth.
Pipe a thick swirl of yogurt cream onto each roll bottom.
Add a spoonful of strawberry jam on top.
Place the roll tops over the filling.
Shape thick strawberry jam into cones and set on top of each slider.
Dip the bottom edge of each cone in coconut or sanding sugar.
Add a small white candy or frosting dot as the pom pom.
Chill 20 to 30 minutes before serving.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Thinking you need to be a baker to make these Nope. Precision is optional here.
Using runny jam for the hats Use extra thick jam or the cones will flop and look sad.
Overfilling the bottoms Big globs of filling will make the tops slide off like a bad hat. Moderation wins.
Skipping the chill time If you serve them warm the jam will ooze and your sugar will melt. Chill for structure.
Trying to pipe with a spoon Yes you can, but using a piping bag makes it prettier and faster. Still, I judge zero if you spoon it.

Alternatives & Substitutions

Want to swap something Because life happens here are easy swaps and my two cents on each one.

Rolls Swap mini sweet rolls for brioche buns or even split dinner rolls. Brioche makes things a bit richer and bougie.
Yogurt Use full fat Greek yogurt for creaminess or thick plain yogurt if that is what you have. Low fat works but tastes less decadent.
Cream cheese If you want dairy free try a vegan cream cheese. Texture will change but flavor will hang in there.
Powdered sugar Replace with honey or maple in small amounts if you prefer less processed sugar. Your filling may be a tad looser. Taste as you go.
Jam Try raspberry, apricot, or even lemon curd for a tang kick. For the Santa hat look stick with a red jam variant like strawberry or raspberry.
White sanding sugar Swap for shredded coconut if you want a snowy texture. Coconut adds chew and a sweet coconut vibe. I vote coconut if you like texture.
Pom pom Use mini marshmallows or a dab of frosting if you run out of candies. No judgement.

Pro tip If your jam is too runny stir in a tablespoon of cornstarch and gently heat it to thicken. Cool before shaping.

FAQ

Q What if I do not have a piping bag
A You can use a zip top bag, snip a corner, and squeeze like a pro Well kind of. It works fine and looks cute even if slightly rustic.

Q Can I make these ahead of time
A Yes Make them a few hours ahead and keep chilled. They do not like long storage beyond a day or two because rolls get soggy. Assemble close to serving ideally.

Q Can I use a different jam for the hats
A Sure Do raspberry or cherry for the red vibe. Just make sure it is thick enough to shape into cones.

Q Are these freezer friendly
A Not really The texture of the rolls and the cream changes when frozen. If you must freeze assemble only the jam cones separately and freeze them flat.

Q Can I add nuts or crunch
A Heck yes Sprinkle chopped nuts inside or on top for crunch. Just avoid when serving to people with allergies Unless you enjoy playing with fire.

Q How do I make the yogurt cream firmer
A Add a little mascarpone or more cream cheese If you want a stable filling for hot rooms add a spoonful of powdered gelatin if you know how to use it.

Q Can kids help with assembly
A Absolutely They will love shaping the hats and adding the pom poms Expect sugar fueled giggles and some very lopsided hats.

Final Thoughts

There you go Tiny Santa hats that taste like dessert and look like holiday cheer took a class in cuteness. These sliders are perfect for snack tables, kid parties, or anytime you want to feel accomplished with minimal sweat. Keep ingredients simple, have fun with the decorating, and do not stress if one hat looks like a mushroom Instead of perfection aim for charm.

Now go impress someone or yourself with your new dessert slinging skills You earned it FYI these also make a delightful little treat to leave on your neighbor step if you are feeling generous.

Conclusion

If you want more party friendly ideas check out this handy list of 45 Christmas potluck appetizers for extra table inspiration 45 Christmas Potluck Appetizers. If you like playful, whimsical recipes and want to explore more show stopping treats take a peek at these curated options from a favorite food personality molly yeh recipes.