After last week’s Christmas cheesecake bars, I knew we had to do something a little healthier and seasonal this week. The sugared cranberries and the cinnamon coconut cream, however, mean this delicious winter Christmas fruit platter isn’t without a little splurgy fun!
Summer fruit seems to get all of the attention. While I love summer fruit as much as (more than, maybe?) everyone else, I do also love winter fruits. The ease of citrus fruits, pears, apples, and pomegranates just can’t be beat.
You can use any kind of citrus you’d like (or have on hand) for this platter. Grapefruit, oranges, pineapple, and blood oranges can all be easily interchanged. And mandarins as well as tangerines are perfect little segments of fruit!
The pears can be switched (or added to) apples and persimmons. Whatever you have on hand or in store works perfectly!
If you have extra tangerines, give this tangerine cocktail with rosemary and whiskey a try! If you use blood orange, try these citrus crostini.
Christmas Fruit Platter
Christmas Fruit PlatterWhat I love most about this Christmas fruit platter is that it’s full of beautiful colors and it’s easy finger food for an winter appetizer or grazing board. And then best part is that you can enjoy it morning, noon, and night!
While a fruit platter might seem too basic, it’s usually the most popular dish. Especially in winter when dishes seem to be so heavy, some fresh fruit always hits the spot.
I’ve pulled out fruit from our fridge and sliced it up with some trail mix for last minute appetizers before and it’s always a bigger hit than anything else!
Sugared Cranberries
Sugared CranberriesObviously the sugared cranberries can’t just be thrown together last minute (though they are fast and easy). These tasty treats can be made ahead of time, however! Really you can do up to one day in advance, but they’re best made the day you plan to enjoy them!
Coconut Cinnamon Cream
And then there’s the “dip!” This cinnamon coconut cream is to die for and the perfect addition to the pear, apple, or persimmon slices!
More Recipes with these Winter Fruits
Citrus Recipes
While I love oranges, mandarins, and the like on their own, I can’t tell you how delicious so many of these fruits are in other recipes. Citrus is the perfect partner in this orange beet salad and atop these blood orange crostini. Of course fresh orange juice is heavenly in this turmeric spritzer, brunch sangria (a wine version of mimosas!), and picnic punch!
If you have tangerines, try this tangerine rosemary cocktail! It’s a fun one.
Pear Recipes
Pears can be subtle and easily overlooked, but don’t do it. Try this spiced pear martini and bake up a batch of these spiced pear muffins.
If you’re a sucker for fruit crisps, like me, you have to try this double nut apple and pear crisp. Melting the butter is KEY! Finally. If you have canned pears on hand (my mom cans them every year and I’m so spoiled), try this canned pear dessert that full of yum but healthy!
Pomegranate Recipes
I never used to think about pomegranates and now I can’t stop thinking about them during the holiday and winter season.
Not only are they a fabulous natural dessert decoration (see them on these Christmas Cheesecake bars and these spiced tarts), but they’re a delicately fabulous way to serve prosecco!
They’re also the perfect pop of color and crunch in this winter slaw served over fish fillets and in this pomegranate Lambrusco sangria!
CHRISTMAS FRUIT PLATTER
Ingredients
Sugared Cranberries
- ¾ cup sugar
- ½ cup water
- ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 6 ounces ½ a bag fresh cranberries
Cinnamon Coconut Cream
- 1 13.5-ounce can coconut cream, well chilled
- 1 teaspoon maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Fruit Platter
- 4 to 5 mandarins or clementines peeled and segments separated
- 1 green pear sliced
- 1 red grapefruit sliced into thin wedges
- Arils from 1 small pomegranate
Instructions
Sugared Cranberries
- Bring ½ cup sugar and ½ cup water to a simmer in a small saucepan over medium heat. Swirl the water and simmer until the sugar completely dissolves, about 1 minute. Remove from the heat and stir in the vanilla. Add the cranberries and stir to coat each berry.
- Use a slotted spoon to transfer the berries to a cooling rack set over a sheet pan or piece of parchment to catch drips. Let cool for 30 minutes.
- Spread the remaining ¼ cup of sugar in a shallow plate or dish. Place the cranberries in the sugar and roll to coat each. Set aside.
Cinnamon Coconut Cream
- Transfer the chilled coconut cream to an electric mixer. Add the maple syrup and cinnamon. Whip on medium, then medium high for about 2 minutes. The cream with start to hold, but be sure to stop before it gets too clumpy. Transfer to a serving bowl.
Fruit Platter
- Arrange the mandarins, pear, grapefruit, and pomegranate arils on a board or platter with the cranberries and coconut cream. Serve right away.
Jane says
Can the dip and cranberries be made ahead of time? I would like to make those tonight for tomorrow’s lunch
Luci Petlack says
Hi Jane! Yes, both can be made the day before. Note that the coconut cream requires the cream to be refrigerated for a time to ensure it’s cold enough. The whipped cream may “deflate” a bit in sitting, but the flavor should be just fine!
Gail says
Are we supposed to use Simple or Classic coconut cream?
Thanks!
Luci Petlack says
Hi Gail! I think simple (no guar gum) vs. classic (with guar gum) only is for coconut milk. This recipe calls for coconut cream which is thicker (with a higher fat content). I think you can use a full fat coconut milk as well, but I don’t have the specific directions for that difference. I hope that helps! Best, Luci
Bintu | Recipes From A Pantry says
This is exactly what I need in the days since Christmas! Healthy AND delicious, what could be better?
Jessica Formicola says
This is such a gorgeous platter- especially those sugared cranberries! Definitely making for New Year’s Eve!
Neli Howard says
I love this idea! It’s so beautiful and colorful! Perfect for our guest! Can’t wait to make another one soon!
rika says
This is absolutely the healthiest appetizer to make in Winter season! It’s so refreshing and easy to put together.
Beth says
This is perfect for a little get together! I can’t wait to make one! So pretty and colorful!
Liz says
I love this! The cream sounds so delectable and I think it’s a great way to sneak in some fruit to my husband!
Andrea Metlika says
This is a perfect platter for my family. The fruits on here are fabulous!
Beth says
This is such a great idea! I’m so excited to give this a try! My friend and family are going to love this!
Tawnie says
Obsessed with that coconut cream! Thank you for this!
Clara says
The cinnamon coconut cream was delicious, definitely a unique dip that I enjoyed with some pears.