Make Festive and Fun Stacking Santas For The Holidays

A Sweet and Festive Holiday Treat: Stacking Santas

The holidays are a magical time filled with joy, laughter, and delicious treats. As you deck the halls and trim the tree this season, consider making a fun and festive snack that will delight family and friends - stacking santas!

What Are Stacking Santas?

Stacking santas are a creative twist on a classic Chinese street food called tanghulu. Tanghulu are candied fruits or vegetables stacked on a skewer. To make stacking santas, you stack festive fruits like strawberries and banana slices on a skewer in the shape of Santa's hat and coat.

This whimsical treat is sure to bring smiles to people's faces. The sweet, sticky coating pairs perfectly with the fresh fruit. With just a few simple ingredients and easy steps, you can make edible Santa stacks that will add festive flair to any holiday gathering.

Stacking Santas Ingredients

To make stacking santas, you will need:

• Banana slices
• Strawberries
• Mini marshmallows
• Skewers
• Granulated sugar
• Water

The banana slices form the base of Santa's hat. Strawberry tops create Santa's pompom. Stack mini marshmallows to make Santa's face, and use whole strawberries for his coat. You can get creative and use other fruits too like pineapple chunks or grapes.

How to Make Stacking Santas Step-By-Step

Making stacking santas is simple:

1. Slice bananas and hull strawberries. Soak skewers in water for 30 minutes to prevent burning.
2. Make the coating by bringing 2 cups water and 1 cup granulated sugar to a boil in a saucepan. Reduce heat and simmer for 5-10 minutes until slightly thickened.
3. Thread fruit onto skewers in the shape of Santa - banana slices for the hat, strawberry tops for the pompom, marshmallows for the face, and whole strawberries for the jacket.
4. Working with one skewer at a time, dip into boiling sugar mixture to coat fruit thoroughly.
5. Hold skewer over saucepan for 30 seconds allowing excess coating to drip off. Dip coated skewer into a bowl of ice water for 1 minute to set candy coating.
6. Place finished stacking santas on a parchment lined baking sheet to dry. Repeat process with remaining skewers.

Stacking Santas Serving Suggestions

Stacking santas are perfect for holiday parties and making edible place cards. Here are some serving ideas:

• Arrange them in a vase or glass jar for a centerpiece.
• Skewer name tags to the top of each Santa for a cute place card idea.
• Display them on a three-tiered dessert stand.
• Add them to a holiday charcuterie board.
• Use them to garnish cookies, cakes, pies, or hot chocolate.
• Package in cellophane bags tied with ribbon for fun edible gifts.

Stacking Santas Tips

To make picture perfect stacking santas, keep these tips in mind:

• Use fruits that are small and uniform in size.
• Cut banana slices thin so they hold their shape when coated.
• Refrigerate coated fruits for 30 minutes before serving for best results.
• Add food coloring to the syrup for colorful Santa stacks.
• Substitute lollipop sticks for skewers to make lollipop santas.
• Dry properly coated fruits in the oven at 170°F for 10-15 minutes if not eating right away.

Get Creative with Stacking Santas!

The possibilities are endless when making stacking santas. Let your imagination run wild with different fruits, accessories, and designs. Here are some fun ideas to try:

• Use grapes, raspberries, or pineapple chunks for Santa's face.
• Add mini chocolate chips or candy for eyes and buttons.
• Make Mrs. Clause with an orange slice and cherry hat.
• Use kiwi slices for elf shoes and pretzel sticks for legs.
• Make a snowman stacking santa with melon balls and a marshmallow nose.

Stacking santas are sure to bring joy to kids and adults alike. Savor the fun of assembling them and the sweet taste of this nostalgic treat. Let your creativity shine bright this holiday season with stacking santas!

FAQs

What fruits can I use to make stacking santas?

You can use any bite-sized fruits like strawberries, bananas, grapes, pineapple chunks, orange slices, kiwi, raspberries, etc. Get creative with different colors and shapes!

How long do stacking santas last?

Properly coated and dried stacking santas will last 1-2 weeks stored in an airtight container in the fridge. The fruit may discolor over time but will still be edible.

Can I make stacking santas ahead of time?

Yes, you can make stacking santas 1-2 days in advance. Allow them to dry completely before storing layered between parchment paper in an airtight container.

What can I use if I don't have skewers?

You can substitute lollipop sticks, cocktail sticks, or decorative sticks for skewers. Just be sure they are food safe.

How do I get kids involved?

Let kids help assemble the santas on the skewers and dip them into the coating. It's a fun hands-on holiday activity they'll love!