Although fruit is a natural and healthy dessert, it can take on a new level of decadence when served alongside a rich and creamy dip. Whipping up a batch of fruit dip is not only quick, it can also provide maximum flavor impact without much work or culinary expertise. Fruit pairs well with a variety of flavors, so you can feel free to experiment with different recipes.
French Cream
Cream-based dips work well as a basic, go-to recipe to serve with fruit. Use an electric mixer to combine an 8 oz. package of room-temperature cream cheese with 1 cup powered sugar and 1 cup whipped cream. Once the ingredients are smooth and evenly combined, squeeze the juice from one lemon into the mixture and stir by hand. The acid from the lemon juice will stabilize the dip and prevent any moisture from separating into a visually unappealing layer. If the dip is too thick for your preference, stir in pineapple juice (2 tbsp. at a time) until it's thinned out enough. The longer the dip sits, the more flavorful it will be, so cover it and store in the refrigerator for at least two hours before serving.
Chocolate
Chocolate dip is made from just a few ingredients, but is also elegant enough for an upscale meal. Mix 2 tbsp. cocoa powder, 2 tbsp. granulated sugar and 2 tbsp. water in a bowl, then pour into a saucepan. Add 1/2 cup condensed milk to the pan and stir until the mixture is combined and lump-free. Simply heat the mixture over "medium high" until it starts to boil, making sure to stir it often so it doesn't separate. Let the chocolate boil for about two minutes so it can thicken. Chocolate can burn in an instant, so don't leave the stove area until it's done. Allow the dip to cool for about 10 minutes before serving.
Maple
Fruit dips aren't just for dessert, they can be for breakfast too. Jazz up your morning fruit by serving it with a maple flavored dip. Mix 1/2 cup each of vanilla yogurt and whipped cream (or fat-free whipped topping) in a bowl, then stir in 4 tsp. maple syrup. Sprinkle in a pinch of cinnamon and serve. The dip can also be prepared ahead of time, covered with plastic and stored in the refrigerator overnight. You can do double-duty and spread it on pancakes as well.
Ginger
Add an exotic flavor to fruit dip by incorporating ginger and coconut. Place an 8 oz. container of sour cream to a large bowl, then gently fold in 2 tbsp. toasted coconut and 1 tbsp. honey. Peel a ginger root, then grate 1 tsp. and add to the bowl. If you don't have fresh, use 1/2 tsp. ground ginger. Stir the ingredients until the coconut and ginger are evenly distributed throughout the dip. Serve with tropical fruit, such as papaya, kiwi or pineapple.
Tags: bowl then, about minutes, before serving, from lemon, whipped cream
