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St. Patrick’s Rainbow Fruit Platter Recipe – Easy Festive Appetizer with Whipped Vanilla Dip

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This vibrant rainbow fruit platter is a festive, crowd-pleasing appetizer perfect for St. Patrick’s Day or any celebration. Fresh, colorful fruit is arranged in a rainbow and served with a creamy, nostalgic whipped vanilla dip.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 cups strawberries, hulled and sliced
  • 1 cup mandarin oranges or clementines, peeled and segmented
  • 1 1/2 cups pineapple, cut into chunks
  • 1 cup green grapes, halved
  • 1 cup blueberries
  • 1 cup red grapes or blackberries
  • 1 banana, sliced (optional, for clouds)
  • Mini marshmallows or yogurt-covered pretzels (optional, for clouds)
  • 8 oz cream cheese, softened
  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 1 cup heavy whipping cream
  • 1 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
  • 1 tsp lemon zest (optional)
  • Pinch of fine sea salt

Instructions

  1. Wash all fruit thoroughly under cool running water and pat dry with paper towels. Hull and slice the strawberries, halve the green grapes, peel and segment the mandarins, and cut the pineapple into small chunks. Rinse and dry blueberries and blackberries. If using bananas, slice just before serving and toss in lemon juice to prevent browning.
  2. In a medium bowl, use an electric mixer to whip the softened cream cheese until smooth (about 1-2 minutes). Add powdered sugar and mix until fully combined and fluffy. In a separate bowl, whip the heavy cream to stiff peaks (about 3 minutes on high speed).
  3. Fold the whipped cream, vanilla extract, lemon zest, and pinch of salt into the cream cheese mixture until just combined. Spoon into a small serving bowl and refrigerate until ready to serve.
  4. Place your large serving platter or board on the table. Starting at one side, lay out the strawberries in a curved arc for the first stripe of the rainbow. Next, add a row of mandarin orange segments, followed by pineapple chunks, green grapes, blueberries, and then blackberries or red grapes. Keep the rows even and gently overlapping.
  5. At each end of the rainbow, pile a small handful of mini marshmallows or yogurt-covered pretzels for clouds. For extra festivity, add gold-wrapped chocolate coins near the clouds if desired.
  6. Nestle the bowl of whipped vanilla dip at one end of the platter, or in the center. Serve immediately with small forks or cocktail picks.

Notes

Use the freshest fruit possible for best flavor and color. Pat fruit dry after washing to prevent a watery platter. Prep fruit close to serving time for maximum freshness. The dip can be made ahead and chilled. For vegan or dairy-free, use dairy-free cream cheese and coconut whipped topping. Arrange fruit in classic rainbow order for best presentation. If prepping ahead, keep fruit and dip separate until serving.

Nutrition

Keywords: fruit platter, St. Patrick's Day, rainbow appetizer, whipped vanilla dip, party food, healthy snack, kid-friendly, gluten-free, vegetarian

Find it online: https://evabake.com/st-patricks-rainbow-fruit-platter-recipe-easy-festive-appetizer-with-whipped-vanilla-dip/