Basic Cream Cheese 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.
Variations:
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.
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.
If you like this you might also want to try warm Very Berry Fondue . After all, what is fondue if not dip?
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.
Marshmallow Fruit Dip:
Add 1/2 cup marshmallow creme to the basic recipe.
All recipes: 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.