Every food event needs a Fruit Charcuterie Board loaded with delicious in season fruit and a wonderful fruit dip recipe. Fruit Boards will get your mouth watering with their beautiful display and they are always a crowd pleaser.

I have loved making Charcuterie Boards with so many fun fruit board ideas the possibilities are endless. Serve for a large crowd or even just a small group. And I particularly enjoy an intimate cheese and fruit board for two.
I'm going to walk you through all my tips and tricks to making the idea fruit platters with serving trays ideas, how to place fruit displays and plan for the right amount of guests to take the guess work out for you! It's so fun, so let's dive in.

I’m participating in a Blog Hop called Freaky Friday Winter Edition. Where each blogger is assigned another blogger to get to know and try one of their recipes. It’s so fun!
Let me first introduce you to Jill from The Carefree Kitchen! She recently highlighted my Brazilian Cheese Bread from a past Freaky Friday event. Jill is also from Idaho and a mother of 5 beautiful kids.
Her blog is amazing filled with everything under the sun. She has some fun recipes I can't wait to try, make sure to check out her Chicken Tacos and Slow Cooker Tortellini Bake. I think they both look fantastic! But more on Jill down below.
I chose to make and highlight her Fruit Charcuterie Board recipe because I love making Charcuterie Boards. We make them far more than I even realize but the fun memories, laughter, and events that surround a delicious tray of goodness makes memories is fantastic. And that I LOVE.

As Jill highlights this Charcuterie Board can double as an Appetizer or even a Dessert with a little adaptation. We love to enjoy it while playing family card games with a variety of options to suit everyones tastes. And my boys routinely ask if I'll make a fruit board.
Ideas for Fruit Boards
Let's talk about the fruit, it is the main ingredient. Choosing fruit in season is key as well as choosing a variety of fruits with different colors and textures. But most importantly choose ripe fruit. Start with your favorites and then fill in the gaps with smaller cut pieces of fruit or bit sized fruit like grapes.
Some of our family favorite Fruit Ideas are:
- Pineapple
- Apples (Fuji, Pink Lady or Granny Smith)
- Berries (Strawberries, Blackberries, Raspberries, Blueberries)
- Oranges (I used Blood Oranges along with a more traditional Orange)
- Grapes (Red or Green Grapes)
- Mangos
- Kiwi
- Kumquats
- Melons (Watermelon, Cantelope, Honeydew)
- Pears
- Bananas
The list of fruit is vast, choose your favorite but it's always fun to add a fruit that you don't have very often too.
Choosing a Cutting Board
When choosing a cutting board or serving tray for your Charcuterie Board it's a good idea to think about how many people you want it to serve. Is this served as an appetizer, dessert, or just a snack tray for game night? Adjust the amounts based on your need.

The cutting board or tray can be wood, plastic, or even a metal cookie sheet. It doesn't need to be fancy, although it can be which also adds to the presentation of it all.
A board that is roughly 8x11 is a great size for 2-4 people.
Cups and Bowls for Charcuterie Board Dips
Make sure to find and use smaller cups and bowls for those smaller items, dips, and spreads. These will need to be placed first on your tray and a variety of sizes and shapes is also ideal. Even something as simple as a jar lid can work! Most of the bowl or lid will be covered and you won't even see it.

Dips for Fruit Charcuterie Boards
Mmm, my favorite part. Fruit is delicious all on it's own and doesn't necessarily need a dip to enhance it anymore, but a fun dip or spread is always welcome.
A sweetened Cream Cheese dip is fun, along with warm caramel or even melted chocolate.
- Fruit Dip. Recipe is below. It's delicious!
- Caramel
- Chocolate
- Cookie Butter
- Pepper Jelly
- Chopped Nuts
- Sweetened Coconut
- Small Candy Pieces

Dipping a slice of apple into warm caramel is fantastic. But make sure to sprinkle some coconut, or chopped nuts on top before taking that bite! Next Level Delicious if you ask me.
Or try fruit dip with a sprinkle of shredded coconut on top. YUMMY!
Fruit and Cheese Charcuterie Board
It's easy to adapt a Fruit tray into a Fruit and Cheese Tray, a Meat and Cheese Tray or even add healthy snacks. Here are a few of my favorite suggestion of additional ingredients to add
- Cheeses. Thinly Sliced or Cubed (Gouda, Parmesan, Pepper Jack, Cheddar Cheeses Brie)
- Nuts. Toasted or sweetened (Almonds, Cashews, Peanuts, Pistachios)
- Dried Fruit. (Mangos, Pineapple, Apples, Dates, Cherries)
- Meats. Cured Meats are ideal (Salami, Pepperoni, Prosciutto)

Fruit Display Ideas
Let's get down to actually building our Charcuterie Fruit Board, shall we? You've chosen your fruit, the tray or board you wish to use, and some dipping bowls. Let's dive in.
Place the bowls on the tray. I like to keep the bowls separated from each other so I can place the fruit around the bowls.
Then start with the largest fruit. This will take up the most space. I prefer to place 2-3 groupings of the same fruit on the tray.

One in the corner, one by a dipping bowl, and then somewhere else on the tray as well. Do with with your largest fruit. Make sure to cut the fruit in a variety of shapes or sizes too. It adds to the appeal and display.
Once you've placed 2-3 different types of fruit (think pineapple chunks, Oranges, Mango or melon balls), look at your tray and decide if anything needs shifted or move before you go any further. Adjust the dipping bowls if needed, stack up the fruit.
Then go to the medium to small size fruit like berries. Place small groupings around the larger fruit making sure to place them in different places, or create a snake through the board lining it up.

Here is a fun tip. I like to slice strawberries in half vertically. So each side still have a piece of the stem. It's visually appealing and makes it easy to eat it in one bite.
Finally finish up with those smaller items like nuts, grapes, or even small candies. Fill in the gaps where ever you need to.
Your board is complete! WOW, isn't it beautiful? I'm always amazed how each board turns out so uniquely different and each so beautiful.

How to make Fruit Dip
This fruit dip recipe is wonderful, Jill has really knocked it out of the ball park with this recipe.
The ingredients are pretty simple. Cream Cheese, Whipping Cream, Vanilla Extract, and Powdered Sugar. You can also add a hint of food coloring or sprinkles on top if you wish!
Whip the whipping cream until soft peaks form then carefully add softened cream cheese. Do not try to add cold cream cheese to the whipping cream as the cream will deflate with the extra beating from adding the cream cheese. Soft is best!
Add vanilla extract and powdered sugar to sweeten and you have a delicious fruit dip recipe. I like to add a little food coloring for color and sprinkles on top are also a nice touch. Choose what works best for you, it won't change the flavor at all.
Jill also makes a Lemon Cream Cheese Dip that I think would be delicious to try too!
The Carefree Kitchen
I need to tell you about my new friend Jill! Freaky Friday is an event where bloggers are given a random blogger to highlight and make one of their recipes. Jill has a passion for being in the kitchen. Growing up on a farm has taught her hard work for sure.
She has continued the tradition in teaching her own children that love of the kitchen with her website. I secretly love how her website came to be while helping her 2 daughters with a project on YouTube. It's fantastic and so perfect.
Jill is fun, vivacious, and has a love for life. I admire all Jill has done from running a farm to raising a beautiful family and now her fantastic website full of delicious recipes. Please take the time to hop over to her site and enjoy a few of her recipes. You won't be disappointed.
I came across this recipe for homemade Caramel Sauce. I'm drooling!! Take a look
Ideas for Charcuterie Boards
- Dessert Charcuterie Board
- Easter Charcuterie Board
- Trader Joes Charcuterie Board
- Breakfast Charcuterie Board
- S'more's Dessert Board
Freaky Friday Blog Hop Recipes
Please take a moment to go over and give these other blogs some love. They all participated in our #springfreakyfriday event.
See all of our 2022 Freaky Friday Spring Edition Recipes
Hosted by - An Affair from the Heart- An Affair from the Heart - Blueberry Lemon Pull-Apart Bread
- Aunt Bee's Recipes - Baked Asparagus with Parmesan
- The Carefree Kitchen - Carrot Cake
- The Culinary Compass - Dunkaroo Dip Recipe
- Devour Dinner -Fruit Charcuterie Board
- Family Around the Table - Fresh Strawberry Milkshake
- Feast + West - Frozen Grasshopper Martini
- Home Cooked Harvest - Rocky Road Brownies
- Hostess at Heart - Honey Bun Cake
- Kathryn's Kitchen Blog -Homemade Sour Cream Funfetti Cupcakes
- Off the Eaten Path - Beer Margarita Recipe
- The Speckled Palate - Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies with Bourbon and Walnuts
- Sue Bee Homemaker - No Bake Strawberry Cheesecake Bites
- Take Two Tapas - Crab Dip
- The Wimpy Vegetarian - Texas Trash Dip Warm Bean Dip
Fruit Charcuterie Board
Ingredients
- 3-4 pounds Fresh Fruit - Mellons, Berries, Mano, Pineapple, Pears, Apples, Bananas, Grapes
- 1 Cup Heavy Whipping Cream
- 8 ounces Cream Cheese - Softened to room temperature
- 1 ½ Cup Powdered Sugar
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
Instructions
Fruit Dip
- In a medium size mixing bowl using a hand mixer whip Heavy Wipping Cream until soft peaks form.
- Add softened cream cheese and vanilla extract to whipping cream and blend together.
- Add Powdered Sugar to add sweetness and mix until combined
- Store fruit dip chilled until ready to serve
Fruit
- Wash and prepare fruit by cutting mellon in cubes or balls. Slice Pineapple or Mango, dip Apples and Pears in lemon juice to help from turning brown.
Notes
Make Ahead
Fruit can be washed and cut before putting tray together along with making fruit dip and storing in refrigerator until ready to serve. Put Fruit Tray together before serving for easy serving.Serves 6-8
This recipe will serve 6-8 people. Adjust ingredients for larger or smaller group.Some of our family favorite Fruit Ideas are:
- Pineapple
- Apples (Fuji, Pink Lady or Granny Smith)
- Berries (Strawberries, Blackberries, Raspberries, Blueberries)
- Oranges (I used Blood Oranges along with a more traditional Orange)
- Grapes (Red or Green Grapes)
- Mangos
- Kiwi
- Kumquats
- Melons (Watermelon, Cantelope, Honeydew)
- Pears
- Bananas
Nutrition Disclaimer
All nutrition values are approximate and calculated by a plugin and are provided as a courtesy. Adding or subtracting ingredients will change the nutritional value.
Sue Ringsdorf
SO MANY great tips in this post! I just made this board over the weekend and everyone was absolutely thrilled!
Jennifer
You can never go wrong with a board! I love the idea of just using fruit:) This even got my teenage son to eat more fruit so you are a superhero!
Devour Dinner
It's amazing how the presentation of food makes all the difference sometimes!
Brandi Burgess
Your Charcuterie board is gorgeous and this is my favorite fruit dip recipe!!!!
Devour Dinner
We all LOVE the fruit dip! It's amazing!
Sam
This is so cute! I've got a family member with a new allergy so getting to do a fruit charcuterie board would make sure she's not left out. Thanks for this idea!
Devour Dinner
Everyone would love it and that's the best part!
Susannah
I love how colorful this tray is! I loved the idea to make a fruit board (can we call it char-fruit-erie?) for a party and I can't wait to make one with my farmers market hauls this summer.
Devour Dinner
I can't wait for all the summer fruit! It will be so fun!
susan | the wimpy vegetarian
What a fantastic idea for summer parties! I absolutely love this!
Devour Dinner
It's wonderful to make for a group or game night!
Jill
I love that you chose this one! I make this fruit dip recipe all the time and I agree, it is so versatile! I love your pics and those mangos make my mouth water!! Thank you for your kind words, friend!
Devour Dinner
Hi Jill! It's such a fun and easy recipe and even better to add the fruits you know everyone loves.
Erin
This is just SO much fun! We made a small rendition of this this past weekend (along with a smaller version of the fruit dip) and my kids gobbled this up. SO good!
Devour Dinner
That's the best part Erin, you can make a large tray or small depending on how many you are serving!
Sue Ringsdorf
I made this for a gathering over the weekend and it was a HUGE HIT! Charcuterie heaven!
Devour Dinner
That's what I love to hear! Thanks Sue!
Chrissie Nelson Rotko
I love making charcuterie boards and this fruit one looks so perfect for spring and summer gatherings with family and friends!
Devour Dinner
I enjoy making them too, it's always so fun to get creative when making them
Kathryn
I can't think of a better dessert for summer! This is so perfect and I'll making this alllll the time!
Devour Dinner
I have to agree! Sometimes the natural sugars are the best!
Tristin
This charcuterie boards is just lovely! I love all the fresh fruit here and you make it look so easy to put it all together. And can't wait to try that dip!
Devour Dinner
Thank you Tristin. Fruit is a welcome ingredient in my home. I hope you enjoy this fun fruit tray
Sarah
Grazing boards are always welcome in my home. But I love all your tips in choosing a board, with putting it all together. So very helpful. Thank you.
Devour Dinner
Hi Sarah, you are very welcome. It makes all the difference in putting a Charcuterie Board together. It's all in the details.
Ellen
This fruit charcuterie is perfect for summer entertaining. The dip is the perfect accompaniment to the variety of fruit. I love the variety, something for everyone.
Devour Dinner
I have to agree Ellen, it's so easy to make and everyone loves them!
Julie
Charcuterie boards are perfect for any kind of get-together and I just love how you show putting them together.
Devour Dinner
Thanks Julie! We love making them and enjoying them too!
Michaela Kenkel
So pretty!! I love that I can nosh and nosh without much guilt! 😉 I mean I have never really met a charcuterie board I haven't liked - but the fruit option is gorgeous for spring and even for brunches!! Thanks for another fantastic recipe, Rebecca!
Devour Dinner
You better believe it. Eat and snack away. It's a great grazing board!