Christmas Light Strawberries: A Whimsical Christmas Party Dessert

strawberries decorated to look like Christmas lights

Turn fresh strawberries into candy-coated Christmas lights with this colorful and creative Christmas recipe. Dipped in candy melts, topped with mini Reese’s caps, and placed along a green icing “string,” these sweet little strawberries look like a festive string of lights, but they taste just amazing. They’re bright and cheerful, so they make the perfect Christmas party dessert. These brightly-colored lights are going to get just as many oohs and ahhs as the displays outside. That is, if they last long enough for people to even really appreciate them.

Ingredients for this Holiday Dessert Recipe

Creating these colorful Christmas light strawberries doesn’t require anything fancy, just a few simple ingredients that come together perfectly. This Christmas recipe is all about turning familiar flavors into something playful, fun, and eye-catching for any holiday table.

strawberries vanilla candy melts and food coloring on a wooden board that is shaped like a tree

Fresh strawberries
Vanilla candy melts
Food coloring (red, yellow, blue, and green)
Mini Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups
Green icing
Small piping bag or resealable plastic bag
Toothpick

How to Make Christmas Light Strawberries

1. Prepare the Candy Melts

Melt the vanilla candy melts according to the package directions.
Once melted, divide the mixture into four small bowls.
Add a different color to each bowl, stirring until the color is smooth and evenly mixed.

2. Dip the Strawberries

dipping a strawberry in the colored candy melt

Wash and pat the strawberries dry completely to ensure the candy coating sticks.
Poke a toothpick into the strawberry and dip it into one of the colored candy melts, covering most of the berry but leaving the leafy top exposed.
Place the dipped strawberries on a sheet of wax paper or parchment paper to set.

3. Add the Mini Reese’s “Caps”

A strawberry dipped in candy melts with a mini resse's on top

Before the candy coating sets fully, place a small dot of the melted candy on top of the strawberry near the stem.
Press a mini Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup upside down onto the melted spot. The candy melt acts like glue, securing the “light cap” in place.
Repeat for all strawberries, mixing up colors for a vibrant strand of lights.

4. Create the Icing String

Once all the strawberries are decorated and set, pipe a wavy line of green icing onto a serving platter.
Arrange the strawberries along the icing string, so they appear connected like a strand of holiday lights.

Tips for Success

Dry the strawberries well. Any moisture can prevent the candy coating from sticking properly.
Use gel food coloring for bright, vibrant hues without thinning the candy melts.
Let each color set before moving to keep the shine smooth and the edges neat.
If the candy doesn’t melt smoothly, try adding coconut oil, a little at a time.
Store in the fridge if not serving right away, but allow them to come to room temperature before eating for the best texture.

Playful Variations for This Christmas Party Dessert

This holiday dessert recipe is easy to customize and even more fun to experiment with. A few simple swaps can make each batch of Christmas light strawberries feel unique, whether planning a classroom snack, a holiday party dessert, or a colorful addition to dessert trays.

Add sparkle: Mix in edible glitter or shimmer dust for a light-catching finish that makes the “lights” truly shine on the dessert table. The glimmer looks especially magical when placed near twinkle lights or candles.
Try flavored melts: Use peppermint, caramel, or white chocolate candy melts to add layers of flavor that fit perfectly with the holiday season.
Switch the “caps”: Rolos or upside-down chocolate chips make adorable alternatives to mini Reese’s. Each one gives a slightly different shape and taste, letting every “lightbulb” stand out in its own delicious way.

Mix and match colors, toppings, and flavors to create a unique strand of edible holiday lights. Every version looks merry and tastes just as bright.

How to Store

If making ahead, store the dipped strawberries in a single layer on a parchment-lined tray in the refrigerator. Cover loosely with plastic wrap. They’ll stay fresh for up to 24 hours. Just note that the candy coating can start to sweat slightly when cold, so serve soon after removing them from the fridge.

A Fun and Easy Christmas Treat for Kids

Christmas light strawberries make an adorable addition to any holiday menu, especially since these treats are colorful, sweet, and full of personality. The bright candy coating and playful “string of lights” design immediately catches kids’ attention, turning dessert time into a cheerful experience.

They’re perfect for classroom celebrations, family gatherings, or Christmas movie nights where everyone wants something that looks just as fun as it tastes. The best part is how approachable they are; easy to serve, easy to enjoy, and delightfully eye-catching on any dessert table. This Christmas treat for kids combines whimsy and sweetness in the most colorful way possible. Bright and fun, this is one Christmas recipe that proves that even the smallest treats can shine bright.

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