Fruit Dip Options for Your Autumn Healthy Snacks

 Aside from a homely true salad for a healthy autumn delight is a bowl of finger foods and a fruity-tasting dip.


 Basic Cream Fruit Dip

1 8-ounce package cream cheese,softened
3 tablespoons sugar
1 cup sour cream or Mascarpone
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Combine all ingredients and beat until smooth and creamy. Whatever option (below) you choose, chill and serve with assorted fruit dippers such as bananas, grapes, kiwi, apple, pineapple, strawberries, raspberries, and papaya, cut into bite-size pieces, if necessary. Bagel bites are good, too. Makes 2 to 3 cups.

Serve your fruit dips in a "fruit bowl". Cut an orange or grapefruit in half crosswise. Using a very sharp knife, cut a thin slice off the bottom of each half so it sits flat. Carefully slice around the edge of the fruit; remove the fruit and the membrane. Spoon the dip into the shells and serve. Or, serve one and refrigerate the other one for later. 

 Options:

Almond Fruit Dip

 Add 3 tablespoons finely chopped almonds and 1 1/2 teaspoons almond liqueur to the basic recipe. Garnish with 1 tablespoon finely chopped almonds, if desired.


Lemon Fruit Dip



Add zest of 1 lemon, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, and 1 extra tablespoon sugar to the basic cream cheese fruit dip recipe.

Raspberry Fruit Dip

Puree 1 cup sweetened raspberries (aprox. 1 10-ounce package). Spoon half the basic recipe into a serving dish and smooth. Top with half the raspberry puree and smooth. Repeat.

Marshmallow Fruit Dip

Add 1/2 cup marshmallow creme to the basic recipe.

Marshmallow Cream Fruit Dip - We loved it!