Pineapple Fruit Dip

Nostalgic recipes are having a moment. Everywhere I look from the New York Times to Better Homes and Gardens, and Southern Living there are more recipes with a wink to the past. I love this because a lot of these older recipes are for family meals that definitely deserve a comeback.

Looking at all these retro dishes had me thinking about one I have from my grandmother for a pineapple fruit dip. My grandmother, Latrell, was a minister’s wife. So, she had lots of recipes for salads that you could share at an event.

My grandmother kept all of her recipes on notecards in a kitchen drawer. They were all neatly divided into categories in labeled vanilla envelopes. The kitchen in her house was where we all used to sit and talk. So one summer when I was in high school, I took the time to go through all the envelopes. I sat down and copied any recipes that caught my attention. Years later, I am so thankful that I did that because there were some gems in all those envelopes that I still make today. One of my favorites is this pineapple fruit dip.

This recipe is a cream cheese based dip with brown sugar and sour cream. However, what makes it different from so many of the other fruit dips is addition of cinnamon and pineapple. The combination of these two ingredients might have you raising an eyebrow, but I assure you they make the recipe.

This pineapple fruit dip whips together in minutes. I find it makes any fruit plate or berry board something special to share. I love to serve it with strawberries, raspberries, grapes, blueberries and pineapple slices, but you could pair it with your favorite fruits.

Pineapple Fruit Dip

• 8 oz cream cheese, softened to room temprature
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 3 tablespoons sour cream
• 1/4 cup pineapple juice
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

First, the bowl of a stand mixer using a paddle attachment or using a hand mixer beat together the cream cheese and brown sugar for 2 to 3 minutes on medium speed. Finally, add in the sour cream, pineapple juice, vanilla and cinnamon and blend until creamy. Spoon the dip into a small bowl and serve with your favorite berries and fruit.

I haven’t seen fruit plates on restaurant menus in a while but I for one am all about bringing them back. A plate filled berries, fruit dip and a side slice of zucchini or banana bread sounds like a divinely good breakfast. This pineapple fruit dip would also be a wonderful to share at a brunch, Mother’s Day or any spring party.