Fruit Dessert

When summertime hits, so do backyard barbecues, block parties and impromptu patio picnics. And often, along with the invite comes the request: “Why don’t you bring a dessert?” If you’re like me, the very idea of turning on the oven or bringing an overly sweet, heavy dish during warm months is off-putting. This fun fruit dessert idea is the perfect solution.

This fruit dessert takes advantage of the summer’s delicious berry and fruit bounty to create a self-serve dessert everyone will love. Dipping chocolate graham crackers into fresh, creamy, tangy yogurt and topping it with sweet fruit salad will keep both adults and kids lingering at the dessert table—and in this case, that’s not a bad thing. Since this fruit salad dessert recipe comes together in just 20 minutes, it might become a familiar sight at all your summer events.

Fruit Dessert Ingredients

• Vanilla yogurt: Use any variety of yogurt you prefer, but if you like a thicker yogurt sauce, look for Greek or Icelandic yogurt.
• Honey: A tablespoon of honey mixed into the yogurt provides additional sweetness to the yogurt dip.
• Mint: Minced fresh mint is subtly sweet and adds a cool menthol flavor to the yogurt. Opt for fresh mint leaves versus dried, because the latter can be more robust and slightly bitter.
• Peaches: Fresh, local peaches are the embodiment of summer. Literally bursting with juice and peachy sweetness, ripe peaches are perfect for this recipe, but nectarines can also be used in this fresh fruit dessert if you prefer their firmer texture and smooth skin.
• Orange juice: Just a sprinkle of OJ will add a citrusy zing to the fruit.
• Fresh berries: Chopped fresh strawberries are slightly sweet and juicy, with a bit of green tanginess that adds a lot of dimension to this fun fruit dessert. Jammy, sweet, tart and aromatic, fresh raspberries are the perfect ingredient for creating the flavors of summer. And no summer fruit salad is complete without blueberries. Intensely sweet-tart in flavor, juicy and brimming with antioxidants, fresh blueberries bring flavor and color to this gorgeous dessert.
• Sugar: Just a tablespoon of added white sugar will act as a binder and preservative to the fresh fruit, while raising the level of sweetness to balance out the tartness of the berries.
• Chocolate graham crackers: Not overly sweet or overpowering, chocolate grahams are the perfect vehicle for scooping a “chips and salsa style” bite of this fun fruit dessert.

Directions

Step 1: Make the yogurt dip

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In a small bowl, combine the yogurt, honey and mint, and stir to combine. Cover the bowl and refrigerate it until you’re ready to serve.

Step 2: Make the fun fruit

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Just before serving, place the sliced peaches into a large bowl, and drizzle them with the orange juice. Add all the berries, and sprinkle the sugar over the top. Using a rubber spatula, slowly stir the ingredients, being careful not to damage the berries.

Step 3: Arrange and serve

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Use a slotted spoon to transfer the fruit mixture to a serving bowl. Serve the fun fruit dessert with the yogurt sauce and chocolate graham crackers for dipping.

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Fruit Dessert Variations

• Give it some zing: To take this fruit dessert to the next level, add some minced ginger and a squeeze of lime juice to the fruit mixture.
• Flip it upside down: For a twist on serving this fun fruit dessert, try spreading the yogurt over the bottom of a baking dish or serving bowl, and spread the fruit over the top. Garnish it with some fresh mint and serve it with the chocolate grahams.
• Make it patriotic: Tie this dessert into a Memorial Day or 4th of July party by substituting the peaches with sliced bananas for a red, white and blue display.

How to Store Fruit Dessert

Store any leftover fruit dessert in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two days. Just note that the sliced fruit will get softer and produce more liquid the longer it’s kept in the fridge.

Can you freeze this fun fruit dessert?

Because part of the appeal of this dessert is the freshness of the fruit, we don’t recommend freezing it. The freezing and subsequent thawing will change the structure of the fruit, producing a softer and potentially mushier texture. Additionally, freezing and thawing dairy products such as the yogurt sauce, can cause separation and therefore is not recommended.

Fruit Dessert Tips

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Can I make this gluten-free?

Definitely! Simply substitute the graham crackers with a gluten-free version or a GF cookie or cracker of your choice, and you have a terrific wheat-free option for anyone with gluten sensitivity.

Can I make this ahead of time?

You can prep this dish a day ahead of time by making the yogurt sauce and pre-slicing the fruit. However, we recommend mixing in the orange juice and sugar just before serving.

Does this dessert have to be served as a dip?

Not at all! If you don’t want a crowd lingering at the dessert table, or are worried about little fingers making a mess or finding their way into the fruit salad, you can make a non-dippable variation. Start with a store-bought or homemade giant cookie (sometimes called a cookie cake) as your base. Spread the yogurt sauce over the cookie and top that with the fruit salad mixture. Slice the cookie into triangles and serve.