Fresh Fruit with Coconut Rum Sauce
Fresh fruit is the perfect summer dessert! Delicious as is, wonderful simply prepared, and delightful as a conclusion to a formal dinner (perhaps with a tasty coconut rum sauce!), it blends health and taste beautifully!
It was a number of years ago when I tried the original version of this dessert, on a truly special occasion. A friend was celebrating her five year survival from breast cancer and hosted an elegant dinner to celebrate.
Everyone brought bottles of expensive wine–she had put one away for this after her diagnosis–providing a lush and extravagant backdrop for the event. She handled all of the food–trays of dazzling appetizers followed by courses of recipe favorites in an abundance of taste and pleasure. Just when there was room for no more (“oh no, not another bite”), the dessert arrived–Fresh Fruit with Creamy Grand Marnier Sauce. Perfect!
There’s always room for fruit–even (especially!) with a wicked good sauce!
I have served this a number of times since and for the most recent version swapped out the original Grand Marnier for (Malibu) coconut rum. I was serving it with pineapple, mango and melon and it seemed to fit the sunny tropical mood. Delicious and summery, I’ll probably go back to the Grand Marnier when the weather turns cool again.
One important tip if you decide to make this–when I tried it with store brand, reduced fat sour cream and cream cheese and it was disappointing (kind of like my reaction to cookies made with margarine instead of butter). On this dessert go for the full fat (not sure if the name brand matters)–it will still be lower fat and healthier than most desserts!
To friends, food and life!
Fresh Fruit with Creamy Sauce
Serves 8 (adapted slightly from Bon Appetit for standard package sizes)
Sauce
- 8 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1/2 cup plus 6 tablespoons powdered sugar
- 1/2 cup whipping cream
- 2 T (or more to taste) Grand Marnier, Cointreau or other orange flavored liqueur (or 4 T Coconut Rum)
Fruit Salad
- 8 cups assorted fresh cut fruit
Directions
1. Cream cream cheese until smooth. Add remaining ingredients and blend until smooth. Add more liqueur, if desired.
2. Transfer mixture to bowl and refrigerate until cold, at least one hour. (Can be prepared the day before and kept refrigerated.)
3. Divide fruit into eight bowls. Top with sauce and serve.
- Cinnamon Currant Bread
- Plum Tart with No-Roll Linzer Crust
This is so beautiful! I maintain that you eat with your eyes and this is multi functioning on so many levels!!
And I like the fact that it is elegant enough for company but still simple and (relatively) healthy. Probably should think about this with the (really fattening) holiday parties coming up!
Yes, please, with the rum sauce!
Ah, yes, I would have figured you for the rum sauce 😉
This is just a perfect summery dish…I could eat this for a snack or dessert! I love fresh fruit salad and the sauce looks delightful!!
I am always pleased if I can find something healthy and simple that is good enough for company!
This looks wonderful! The perfect summer dessert – fruit and a splash of alcohol! 🙂
Thanks, Lynn. Isn’t it interesting how seasonal some food feel?
Rum (no matter if it’s dark, white, or coconut) is always a great look when it comes to fruits. Something about that nice rum flavor soaked in with fresh fruit just makes life that much sweeter (no pun intended).
Indeed! And nice to soak dried fruits in too!
Fresh fruit taken to new heights my friend 😀
Love it!
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
I’d really like to make this. The reason may or may not have to do with the recipe requiring my favorite type of rum 🙂
Ooooooh–you have great taste (but we knew that already)!