Easy to make and ultra creamy, this Fruit Dip is the perfect combination of sweet vanilla flavors with an underlying tang from the cream cheese. It tastes a bit like cheesecake, is naturally gluten-free, and perfect for entertaining, picnics, and pretty much any get-together. Try it with your favorite seasonal fruit for an easy snack or light dessert.
Ever since I started making this Peanut Butter Dip inspired by one of my friends, I’ve been making it for all sorts of occasions. And from there it was only natural I branched out into a vanilla version.
This super-simple fruit dip has just the right amount of vanilla and a dessert-like flavor that enhances any fruit you want to dip. It’s a bit more decadent but still has a light, bright flavor thanks to the cream cheese and hint of lemon.
Ingredients & Substitutions
- Cream cheese – full-fat cream cheese, 1/3 reduced-fat or Neufchatel cream cheese, both work in this fruit dip.
- Greek yogurt – full-fat, thick, and creamy Greek yogurt that is unsweetened is what you’re looking for in this recipe. It adds a nice creaminess and a tang that keeps this dip from being overly heavy.
- Heavy whipping cream – a bit of heavy cream added as you beat the dip adds lightness to the dip’s texture. It can be omitted to make the dip thicker.
- Lemon – a touch of lemon zest adds to the lightness of this dip and pairs well with every kind of fruit we’ve tried.
- Cinnamon – combines with the lemon zest to add a subtle but unbeatable flavor that keeps this dip from being boring.
- Honey – is my preferred sweetener. You can use pure maple syrup, but it makes a looser dip. Sifted powdered sugar to taste also works.
- Vanilla – pure vanilla extract rounds out all the flavors in this dip and is perfect with every kind of fruit.
- Sea salt – adds depth of flavor and shouldn’t be omitted.
Step 2: Add the softened cream cheese and beat until all the lumps are gone. Next, add the honey and beat again until combined, then add the Greek yogurt.
Once everything has been completely combined, add the whipping cream a little at a time, beating in between additions at high speed until the dip is light and fluffy.
Step 3: Add the vanilla extract, and beat again to combine.
Then transfer the fruit dip to an airtight container and refrigerate for at least 4 hours to thicken slightly.
Step 4: Optional: add a bit of vanilla bean paste to the fruit dip before refrigerating.
Ways to serve this
- Serve this fruit dip with your choice of seasonal fruit.
- Take this fruit dip platter to a picnic, potluck, BBQ, or pretty much any get-together.
- Add this to your next brunch menu with my Turkey Breakfast Sausage and Veggie Scrambled Eggs.
FAQ’s
Some fruit dip recipes include cream cheese, marshmallow dip, and even Greek yogurt. Others even include peanut butter. My fruit dip is vanilla-flavored and healthier with cream cheese and Greek yogurt.
Any fruit that is in season is best for dipping. Our favorite options have been strawberries, grapes, kiwi slices, apple slices, mandarin slices, and pineapple chunks. You want to choose something that is sturdy enough to be dipped. Peach slices would be a wonderful, flavorful option, but they don’t work well for dipping.
Storing leftovers
- To store – place any leftover fruit dip in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 4 days. Refrigerate any leftover fruit in a separate container for 1-4 days. Fruit like pineapple chunks keep well, whereas kiwi slices barely last 1 day.
- Make ahead – this fruit dip is the perfect make-ahead recipe and can be prepared up to 3 days in advance.
Tips & Tricks
- Don’t skip softening the cream cheese, or your dip will have lumps! If this happens, you can always transfer it to a food processor to break up the lumps before adding the heavy whipping cream.
- The vanilla is key to this dip’s flavor, so use pure vanilla extract rather than imitation, and it’s really worth adding some vanilla bean paste if you have it.
Dietary Options & Substitutions
- Dairy-free – omit the heavy whipped cream and substitute dairy-free Kite Hill cream cheese. Use your favorite thickest plain dairy-free yogurt.
More Fruit Recipe Inspiration
I really hope you enjoy this creamy Fruit Dip! If you do get a chance to make this recipe, I’d love to hear from you in the comments.
Fruit Dip
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DESCRIPTION
Watch The Step-by-Step Video
INGREDIENTS
- Zest of 1 lemon
- 1/2 tsp Vietnamese cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp sea salt
- 8 ounces full-fat cream cheese
- 1/4 cup honey - or Grade A maple syrup
- 1/2 cup Greek yogurt - see notes
- 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream - see notes
- 1 tbsp vanilla extract
- 1 tbsp vanilla bean paste - optional
- Strawberries, kiwi slices, grapes, pineapple chunks, apple slices, and mandarins are all great fruit options.
INSTRUCTIONS
- Start by zesting the lemon with a microplane grater over the mixing bowl. Add the cinnamon and sea salt.
- Then add the softened cream cheese and beat until all the lumps are gone. Next, add the honey or maple syrup and beat again until combined, then add the Greek yogurt.
- Once everything has been completely combined, add the whipping cream a little at a time, beating in between additions at high speed until the dip is light and fluffy. Add the vanilla, and beat again to combine.
- Then transfer the fruit dip to an airtight container and refrigerate for at least 4 hours to thicken slightly.
- Optional: add a bit of vanilla bean paste to the fruit dip before refrigerating. Serve with your choice of fresh fruit for dipping.
NOTES
nutrition facts
Nutrition information is provided as an estimate only and may vary depending on ingredients used. This information is not intended as medical advice. Please consult a qualified healthcare professional for specific dietary needs.
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