Dreamsicle Fruit Dip
This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Sunkist for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.
I have always been quite perplexed by people that don’t love fruit – I mean vegetables I can understand, but fruit is amazing – well, aside from Red Delicious apples which I haven’t eaten since around 1995. I really can’t even pinpoint why I don’t enjoy them anymore, I just know that I don’t. Oh, I’m also not a fan of ripe bananas, but that about sums up my fruit issues.
When I was a kid I remember my Nana making a fruit dip with 3 simple ingredients marshmallow fluff, cream cheese and Maraschino Cherry juice. It was pink, sweet and amazingly tasty. I used to try to eat it with a spoon, but she always insisted that I used a piece of fruit – maybe she thought the fruit would somehow negate the fluff.
We had the usual crew over at our house this weekend and I refused to cook indoors because it was over 90 degrees outside. All I wanted for dinner was corn on the cob and fruit. The boys weren’t having it, so they decided to make Beer Can Chicken – which was all kinds of awesome, by the way.
After filling my cart with a bunch of fruit, I decided to go a little retro and recreate Nana’s fruit dip with a little Dreamsicle twist by infusing it with the zest and juice of Sunkist Valencia Oranges.
Did you know that Sunkist® Valencia oranges may occasionally “re-green” in warm weather? When Valencias ripen on the tree, they turn a bright orange color but warm temperatures may make their skin reabsorb chlorophyll as they hang on the tree causing the orange color to look partly green (just like I like my bananas) although the outside is green, the inside remains ripe and delicious!
I’m super glad Sunkist is getting the word out there about this “re-greening” effect, because now I don’t have to gripe at Brian about the green oranges that occasionally end up in the fruit bowl. I’ve got a scientific reason why he HAS to eat them!
For additional information, check out these links:
additional Sunkist citrus recipes
Sunkist Valencia Oranges Re-greening Video
Dreamsicle Fruit Dip
Yield: about 1 ½ cups
Ingredients:
12 ounces cream cheese, softened
1 (7 ounce) jar marshmallow crème
1/3 cup confectioners’ sugar
1 tablespoon orange zest
2 tablespoons, fresh orange juice
Directions:
In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to blend all ingredients until well combined. Refrigerate Dreamsicle Fruit Dip for at least 3 hours before serving. Serve with a variety of fresh fruit.
Notes:
- This dip can be made up to two days in advance, simply store in covered in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
This sounds so yummy! Great recipe. Yum!
This sounds delicious. I never usually dip my fruit but I might give this a try.
Love this dip! So simple and so perfect for the hot summer weather. Can’t wait to try it!
Yum! I think I’d eat this by itself…by myself!
yum! sounds really good!
Yeah, I don’t understand not liking fruit, it’s nature’s candy. My friend’s husband won’t eat fruit and she won’t eat vegetables so I guess they balance each other out, lol.
I love this fruit dip! Your grandma definitely has the right idea. This could become a household staple
I love your update on an old classic…Oranges and their zest is such a refreshing, light flavor!
nerd alert! That little fact about the re-greening is fascinating (glad you thought so too!).
Yum!! This is an absolutely perfect dessert dip. I cannot wait to try it!
I’ve always made this with cream cheese, marshmallow cream and lemon juice. Your take on it sounds like a ‘must try’ too. Thanks!
Very interesting fact about oranges turning back to green color naturally. As a vegetarian, I eat a 100% fruit breakfast, eating from the most liquid to the most solid for optimal digestion.
This is crazy! today I was doing our weekly shopping at the market, and I was cheking out the marshmellow fluff wondering what I can do with it…
I love your idea, and will totally try it.
And I must confess, I too have to have my bananas green… the ripe ones become banana bread / cupcakes.
Fruit dip is so addictive and this dreamsicle version looks amazing!
No Fluff in Australia. Maybe I can learn how to make it myself so I can make Nana’s fruit dip. Looks wonderful on the plate!
Oh my gosh…..cannot wait to make this!
Love this dip! I remember my mom making a very similar dip when I was a kid, and it was always one of my favorites. I love that you added the orange zest and juice to it. That opens up a whole new world of possibilities!
I LOVE fruit! I have a hard time getting my ch”ri to eat it though…and I am lactose intolerant… I would love some ideas for a dairy free version!
I just made this dip, it is awesome. Taking to share with friends tonight with fresh right out of the garden strawberries. Thanks so much for sharing!
Kathy-
So glad to hear that you enjoyed this! Thanks for reporting back. Have a great day.
-Jamie
When I made this it was delicious but very thick, I thought it was supposed to be more of a yogurt texture? did I do something wrong?
Lisa-
If you find it to be too thick, just add in a bit more orange juice until you reach the desired consistency. The thickness will depend on how cold/warm the cream cheese is. Have a great day!
-Jamie
When I made this, it turned out really thick, it tasted amazing, but i thought it was supposed to be more of a yogurt consistency, did I do something wrong?
Lisa-
We like ours a little on the thicker side. You can always thin it out by adding in a bit more orange juice. Have a great day.
-Jamie
When I made this my cream cheese became like cottage cheese? What did I do wrong? I waited till it was soft?! Sounds delicious just wished it had turned out! Thanks
Sue-
Hello. I’ve been making this dip for years and have never had this issue. My first thought was that the cream cheese wasn’t at room temperature, but since you said it was, I am kind of clueless. Sorry I am not more of a help.
-Jamie
this is to answer Sue’s question about curdled dip. My thinking is that the cheaase may have been a tad too warm and not blended enough with the marshmallow before adding the zest and the juice.
I put the Marshmelow creme or Fluff in the microwave in defrost for 1 minute. This makes it easier to whip the creme chesse and marshmellow together and comes out much more creamier.
Thanks for the tip, Cyndi!