Go above and beyond this holiday season with a healthy dessert that the whole family can enjoy.
“I’ll bring a fruit platter,” I offered, knowing it would be an easy way to sneak some healthy treats into our holiday meal. But I wanted to do something different, a presentation that would stand out. Cue the fruit Christmas tree—a crafty stack of scrumptious fresh fruits that works as both a dessert platter and a centerpiece.
This fruit Christmas tree is decked to the nines with some of the tastiest fruits, both local and tropical: pineapple, pear, clementines, kiwi, three kinds of berries, and two types of grapes. This medley makes the perfect blend of tart and sweet flavors. Towering over all other holiday dishes, the fruit tree can brighten the dining table and bring everyone together.
When I have children one day, I’ll break out this recipe for all of us to make together. That’s how easy it is for both kids and adults. Family bonding that ends 20 minutes later with a delicious and nutritious dessert? How simple and sweet!
Tips for sculpting with fruit
I’ve fashioned a few fruit sculptures now, and my best advice is to choose your fruit wisely. The firmer the fruit, the better it will stay put. If the fruit is too soft or damaged, it might crumble or fall. Set the soft pieces aside for your own personal stash or save them for other dishes, like Fruit Soup or this Fruit Salad Recipe. Ideally, this dessert should be served immediately after it’s made, but you can also dish it out within 24 hours. Just be careful to keep it in the fridge so it stays as firm and fresh as possible. Last but not least, if you’d like to include extra decorations, consider using mini marshmallows, chocolate chips, or sprigs of fresh mint. Ta-da! You’ve got a fruity masterpiece.
How do I store leftovers?
If you have a partially eaten fruit Christmas tree, cover leftovers with plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to 2 days. You can also disassemble the sculpture, transfer the fruit to an airtight container, and refrigerate it for a bit longer—berries will stay good for up to 3 days, while heartier fruits, like grapes and pears, will last up to 5 days. Or you can freeze the fruit pieces for up to 12 months for use in smoothies and other recipes. Spread them in a single layer on a baking sheet, freeze them solid, then transfer them to a freezer-safe bag, removing as much air as possible.
Serving suggestions
This fruit Christmas tree can be enjoyed as a snack or dessert, either by itself or with a decadent dip like Strawberry Cream Cheese, Chocolate Fondue, Almond Milk Yogurt, this Cashew Butter Recipe, Peanut Butter Dip, or Chocolate Whipped Cream. Whatever your favorite dessert dip is, it might just transform beside this dazzling fruit sculpture. For adults, I also recommend trying it with a refreshing Wine Spritzer to enliven the party even more. It can also be nice to pair this platter with simple desserts like Mini Apple Pies or Low-Sugar Healthy Sugar Cookies.
Ingredients
- 1 ripe pineapple
- 1 firm pear
- 1 bamboo skewer
- 2 clementines peeled and separated
- 3 kiwi fruits trimmed and cut into sixths
- 8 ounces strawberries stems removed
- 6 ounces blackberries
- 6 ounces blueberries
- 1 cup red grapes
- 1 cup green grapes
- Toothpicks as needed
Instructions
- Slice off the top and bottom of the pineapple. Carve a thin, star-shaped slice from the top to use as the tree topper.
- Trim the pear into a cone shape and place it on the pineapple. Insert the bamboo skewer through the center to secure both pieces.
- Using toothpicks, attach clementine segments, kiwi slices, strawberries, blackberries, blueberries, and grapes around the pineapple and pear. Start with larger fruit and fill in gaps with smaller pieces.
- Secure the star slice on top with a toothpick. Serve immediately.
Nutrition Info:
Nutrition information are estimates only and may vary based on the specific brands, ingredients, and portion sizes you use. This data is provided for informational purposes only.
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