Save to Pinterest A vibrant, whimsical dessert platter featuring fresh fruit, creamy whipped cream cheese, and playful butterfly shapes — perfect for spring gatherings.
This dessert board has become a favorite at our spring gatherings, bringing joy and smiles with its playful butterfly shapes and delicious flavors.
Ingredients
- Cream Cheese Spread: 225 g (8 oz) cream cheese softened, 60 ml (1/4 cup) honey, 1 tsp vanilla extract, 60 ml (1/4 cup) heavy cream
- Fruit: 1 cup strawberries hulled and sliced, 1 cup blueberries, 1 cup kiwi peeled and sliced, 1 cup pineapple cut into butterfly shapes (use a small butterfly cookie cutter), 1 cup seedless grapes halved, 1 orange peeled and segmented
- Dippers & Garnishes: 1 cup gluten-free graham crackers or cookies broken into pieces, 2 tbsp edible flowers (such as pansies or violets optional), 1 tbsp fresh mint leaves
Instructions
- Step 1:
- In a medium bowl, beat cream cheese honey and vanilla extract until smooth. Slowly add heavy cream and whip until light and fluffy.
- Step 2:
- Spread the whipped cream cheese mixture onto a large serving board or platter creating a base layer.
- Step 3:
- Arrange the sliced fruit on top of the cream cheese in a colorful pattern. Use the butterfly-shaped pineapple pieces as decorative focal points.
- Step 4:
- Scatter blueberries grapes and orange segments around the board for variety.
- Step 5:
- Add gluten-free graham crackers or cookies to one side of the board for dipping.
- Step 6:
- Garnish with edible flowers and fresh mint leaves for a springtime touch.
- Step 7:
- Serve immediately or refrigerate (covered) for up to 2 hours before serving.
Save to Pinterest This recipe always brings the family together as we enjoy crafting the butterfly shapes and sharing the colorful spread.
Required Tools
Electric mixer or whisk, large serving board or platter, small butterfly cookie cutter, knife and cutting board, spatula
Allergen Information
Contains milk (cream cheese heavy cream). Contains gluten if using regular cookies crackers. Double-check all dippers and garnishes for allergens.
Nutritional Information
Calories 230, total fat 10 g, carbohydrates 32 g, protein 4 g per serving.
Save to Pinterest This fruit and cream cheese board is a delightful centerpiece sure to impress your guests and brighten any occasion.
Ask About This Recipe
- → How do I make the cream cheese spread fluffy?
Beat softened cream cheese with honey and vanilla until smooth, then slowly add heavy cream while whipping to achieve a light, airy texture.
- → Can I substitute the fruit for seasonal options?
Yes, fresh seasonal fruits like raspberries or mango can replace listed fruits to suit availability or preference.
- → What tools are useful for creating the butterfly shapes?
A small butterfly-shaped cookie cutter makes it easy to cut pineapple or other firm fruit into decorative shapes.
- → How should this board be stored before serving?
Cover and refrigerate the assembled board for up to 2 hours to keep the cream cheese fresh and fruit crisp.
- → Are there dairy-free alternatives for the cream cheese layer?
Whipped coconut cream cheese can be used as a flavorful dairy-free substitute maintaining the creamy base.
- → What are good beverage pairings with this platter?
Light, sparkling Moscato or herbal teas complement the fruity and creamy elements without overpowering them.