Save to Pins A vibrant, whimsical dessert platter featuring fresh fruit, creamy whipped cream cheese, and playful butterfly shapes — perfect for spring gatherings.
This recipe is a family favorite for springtime events and always receives compliments for its creativity and freshness.
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 Pins Making this board brings my family together to enjoy colorful and delicious treats while sharing stories and laughter.
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 or crackers. Double-check all dippers and garnishes for allergens.
Nutritional Information
Calories: 230 per serving, Total Fat: 10 g, Carbohydrates: 32 g, Protein: 4 g
Save to Pins This delightful dessert board is sure to impress your guests with minimal effort.
Questions & Answers
- → How do I make the cream cheese spread fluffy?
Beat softened cream cheese with honey and vanilla until smooth, then slowly add heavy cream and whip until light and fluffy.
- → What fruits work best for this board?
A mix of fresh, colorful fruits like strawberries, blueberries, kiwi, pineapple, grapes, and orange segments create a vibrant display.
- → Can I prepare the board ahead of time?
Yes, assemble the board and refrigerate it covered for up to 2 hours before serving to keep freshness.
- → What can I use instead of gluten-free crackers?
Feel free to substitute with regular crackers, cookies, or fresh fruit slices as dippers depending on dietary needs.
- → How do I create the butterfly shapes?
Use a small butterfly cookie cutter to cut pineapple pieces into butterfly shapes for a whimsical touch.
- → Are edible flowers safe to eat?
Yes, edible flowers like pansies or violets are safe and add a decorative, flavorful element to the board.