Tips for Easy Cream Cheese Fruit Dip
This Easy Fruit Dip is always a hit at potlucks, parties, and for an after school snack. It’s a great way to entice kids to eat more fruit. A little creamy sweetness goes a long way to enhance the natural flavors of the fruit. We have a few tips for making this Easy Cream Cheese Fruit Dip.
First, and most importantly, soften the cream cheese. This makes all the difference. See our 3 methods below.Second, make the fruit dip at least one hour prior to serving to bring out the citrus flavors in the dip. Third, store the dip in an airtight container in the fridge, separate from the fruit, for up to a week. Last of all, serve this dip with fresh, seasonal fruit.
How to soften cream cheese – 3 methods
It is very important to make sure the cream cheese is at room temperature when making the dip. If you use it straight from the refrigerator, no matter how long it is beaten there will still be little lumps. No one wants lumps in their fruit dip! There are a few methods I like to use for bringing cream cheese to room temperature depending on how much time I have.
The first method is to simply set the cream cheese out on the counter for 30 minutes to an hour in its original packaging. It shouldn’t be left out much longer than an hour.The second method is a hot water bath. Fill a bowl with hot tap water and place the cream cheese, still wrapped in foil, in the bowl for 5-10 minutes to bring it to room temperature. If the foil has been opened, place the cream cheese in a resealable plastic bag before placing it in the water bath.The third method is to soften it in the microwave. This is my least preferred method because it can melt and overcook. Most microwaves have a “soften” setting. If not, cut 8 ounces of cream cheese in cubes and microwave on high for 15-20 seconds. Stir. If not softened to the desired consistency, continue to microwave at 10 second increments until completely softened. This recipe makes approximately 2 cups of dip.
Make the fruit dip ahead of time
In order to get the best flavor from this fruit dip, give it some time in the refrigerator. The orange juice concentrate and orange zest are what make this dip so good. A minimum of one hour will give the citrus flavors a chance to permeate through the dip. Making the dip a few hours, or even a day, ahead will give it even more flavor.
How long will fruit dip last in the fridge?
This dip will last for a week in the fridge. Store it in an airtight container, and be sure to stir it well before serving again for a nice, smooth texture.
Fresh fruit tray ideas
This fresh fruit dip is smooth and creamy with a hint of citrus. It complements the flavor of every kind of fruit. These are some of our favorite fruits to use with this dip. Fresh fruit, in season and bought locally, is always the best. Even the best fruit dip can’t compensate for fruit that isn’t ripe. You can choose just one fruit to serve it with, or you can fill a tray with lots of different kind of fruit, kind of like a fruit charcuterie board!
ApplesBananasOrange wedgesStrawberriesPineappleKiwifruitGrapesWatermelonCantaloupeHoneydewPeachesPearsCherriesRaspberriesBlackberriesBlueberries
More Fresh Fruit Recipes
If you love incorporating fresh fruit in your recipes as much as we do, try our delicious Fruit Pizza or Fruit Salsa or Grilled Fruit Kabobs. Bright colors and bold flavors make these fruit dip recipes the perfect treats for snacking, entertaining and celebrating.
Easy Fruit Pizza with Cream Cheese Frosting {Plus 3 Topping Ideas}
Fruit Salsa
Grilled Fruit Kabobs
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