Rainbow Fruit Tray

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Bursting with sunshine and flavor, this beautiful Rainbow Fruit Tray is the perfect healthy snack, appetizer, or dessert for your next party. Ripe seasonal fruit with a cream cheese fruit dip, and little chocolates are sure to impress your guests.

Are you looking for a fun and nutritious way to brighten up your snack table for a St. Patrick's Day celebration or your next spring or summer party? Look no further than this gorgeous Rainbow Fruit Tray!

It's such a simple idea to customize, just use your favorite fruits making sure each is a different color of the rainbow. Place on a platter or board and it becomes the perfect party appetizer or dessert! We've been making it in my family for many years.

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This rainbow fruit platter is bursting with fresh fruit from all of the colors of the rainbow. I always make sure to include a pot of gold (candy), and end with clouds (fruit dip), and a sunshine (cut pineapple) - it's the perfect treat for any occasion.

Table of Contents

Why You'll Love this Recipe

Customization: You can customize this fun rainbow fruit tray with your favorite fruits and the way you want to cut and place them on your serving tray. It's so much fun to make!
Health Benefits: Fruit is nutritious and packed with vitamins, minerals, fiber, and antioxidants. This tray is an excellent snack option that satisfies sweet cravings while also providing essential nutrients.
Fruit Dip Fun: A side of fluffy fruit dip is essential. Rich and creamy, it's the perfect fruit board accent! It elevates their flavors and makes for a more fun eating experience.
Perfect for Any Occasion: The party platter is perfect served at a birthday party, baby showers, a St. Patrick's Day celebration, or any special occasion!

Ingredients for Rainbow Fruit Tray

Scroll down to the recipe card for exact measurements of ingredients.

The beauty of this recipe is that you can customize it any way you'd like! Here are a list of options within each rainbow of colors to choose from:

Fruit

Red: Strawberries, Raspberries, Red Cherries, Red Apples, Watermelon, Pomegranate Seeds, Red Grapes
Orange: Oranges, Tangerines, Mandarin Oranges, Cantaloupe, Apricots, Persimmons, Mangoes
Yellow: Pineapple, Bananas, Golden Kiwi, Yellow Apples, Yellow Peaches, Yellow Plus, Yellow Watermelon, Starfruit, Yellow Cherries
Green: Green Grapes, Kiwi, Honeydew Melon, Green Apples, Green Pears
Blue/Indigo/Purple: Blueberries, Blackberries, Purple Grapes, Plums, Figs, Purple Passionfruit, Prunes, Concord grapes

Dip and Board Accents

Cream Cheese: It serves at the primary base for the dip. It provides a rich and tangy flavor as well as a smooth and creamy texture.
Marshmallow Cream (or Marshmallow Fluff): Adds sweetness to the dip and contributes to its smooth and fluffy texture. It also helps to lighten the density of the cream cheese and creates a softer, more spreadable consistency.
Vanilla Extract: Adds depth and complexity to the flavor profile of the dip.
Optional Board Accents: Toothpicks, 2 Bowls, Gold Wrapped Candy, Mini Marshmallows for the Dip

A picture of Laura Johnson holding a fruit tray.

Tools You'll Need

Hand Mixer or Stand Mixer
Mixing Bowl
Large Cutting Board
Chef's Knife
Chef's Knife and Paring Knife
Round Board, Round Platter, or Square Serving Tray
Small Bowls

How to make a Rainbow Fruit Platter

Trim and cut fruit in desired shapes. The amount of fruit will depend on how many you intend to serve and how much you want as leftovers.
With a hand mixer or in a stand mixer, beat cream cheese, marshmallow creme, and vanilla extract 1 minute or until smooth. Spoon into a small bowl or reserved melon half.

Adding marshmallow cream to a stand mixer.

On a snack board, create a fruit rainbow in an arch form or straight lines from right to left in this order: ROYGBIV (red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, violet).
Place the cloud (fruit dip bowl) at one end of the rainbow outlined by a sunshine cut-out from fresh pineapple. On the other end of the rainbow, add a bowl filled with your favorite gold wrapped candy. Add toothpicks or bamboo skewers on the side for serving.

A tray of of fruit in the shape of a rainbow.

Expert Tips and Variations

Size of Your Platter per Number of People: Plan for about ½ to 1 cup of fruit per person when serving a fruit tray as a snack or appetizer. If serving as part of a meal or larger spread, you may want to increase the portion size.
Consider Seasonality: Choose fruits that are in season for the freshest and most flavorful options. Seasonal fruits are also often more affordable and readily available.
Preparation and Presentation: Wash and thoroughly dry all fruits before cutting or arranging them on the tray. Cut fruits into bite-sized pieces or slices for easy serving and eating.
Add a Variety of Textures: Incorporate fruits with different textures to provide contrast and interest. Mix crisp and crunchy fruits (apples, grapes) with softer and juicier options (melons, berries) for a well-balanced tray.
Fruit Dip Substitutions: Here are some healthier alternatives and tips for making this fruit dip:
- Yogurt Dip: Substitute some or all of the cream cheese with Greek yogurt. Greek yogurt adds creaminess and tanginess to the dip while also boosting protein and reducing the overall fat content.
- Reduced-Fat Cream Cheese: Opt for reduced-fat or light cream cheese instead of full-fat cream cheese to reduce the calorie and fat content of the dip while still maintaining a creamy texture.
- Natural Sweeteners: Use natural sweeteners like honey, maple syrup, or agave nectar instead of marshmallow fluff to sweeten the dip. These alternatives add sweetness without as much added sugar.
- Whipped Coconut Cream: Instead of marshmallow fluff, try using whipped coconut cream as a lighter alternative. Simply chill a can of full-fat coconut milk in the refrigerator overnight, then scoop out the solidified cream and whip it until fluffy.
Keep it Fresh: To maintain freshness, assemble the fruit tray shortly before serving. If preparing in advance, store the cut fruits in the refrigerator and assemble the tray just before serving to prevent wilting or discoloration.

Storage, Freezing, & Make Ahead Instructions

For the Fridge: You can prepare the fruit tray a few hours in advance, but it's best to assemble it shortly before serving to keep the fruits fresh and vibrant. If preparing in advance, store the cut fruits in the refrigerator and assemble the tray just before serving.

For Leftovers: If there is leftover fruit, it is best to store in an airtight container in the refrigerator until ready to consume. Fresh cut fruit is best consumed within 2-3 days. However, you can also freeze leftover fruit to use in other dishes such as fruit pies or fruit cobblers.

One excellent way to uses leftovers is making smoothies. This easy Mango Pineapple Smoothie is one of our family's favorites!

To Make Ahead: The cream cheese fruit dip can also be made ahead of time and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator until ready to serve. Consume the fruit dip within 3 to 5 days. It's best to avoid freezing fruit dip.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much fruit should I prepare per person?

Plan for about ½ to 1 cup of fruit per person when serving a fruit tray as a snack or appetizer. If serving as part of a meal or larger spread, you may want to increase the portion size accordingly.

Can I make fruit dip ahead of time?

Yes, you can make the dip ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator until ready to serve. However, some dips may thicken or separate when chilled, so you may need to stir or whisk them before serving.

What kind of dip should I serve with the fruit tray?

Common dips for fruit trays include yogurt-based dips, cream cheese-based dips, chocolate fondue, honey-lime drizzle, or fruit-infused whipped cream.

How far in advance can I prepare the fruit tray?

You can prepare the fruit tray a few hours in advance, but it's best to assemble it shortly before serving to keep the fruits fresh and vibrant. If preparing in advance, store the cut fruits in the refrigerator and assemble the tray just before serving.

How do I prevent the fruits from browning?

To prevent fruits like apples, pears, and bananas from browning, you can toss them in lemon juice or a mixture of lemon juice and water. Alternatively, you can use a commercial fruit preservative or vitamin C powder.

What fruits should I include on my fruit tray?

You can include a variety of fruits! Choose a mix of colors, flavors, and textures to make the tray visually appealing and satisfying.

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