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The holidays can be the most challenging time of year to keep up with your health goals. Calorie laden desserts are everywhere. I was reading an article in Healthy Living Magazine and it has some great suggestions for keeping the calorie consumption in check this season. Did you know that you can use pumpkin puree to substitute up to half the fat in a cookie recipe? Follow the link to read the whole article for some great tips and a nutrition breakdown of popular holiday ingredients.
I felt inspired to create a light version of a dessert using pumpkin puree and some other lower calorie alternatives. It’s the holiday season, so I really wanted to create a party show stopper. When I thought what I wanted to serve the dip with, fruit came to mind as a nice healthy alternative to cookies or crackers. From there the Light Pumpkin Dip served in a Fruit Wreath was born.
- ¾ cup pumpkin puree (Not pumpkin pie filling)
- 8 oz low fat cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup packed brown sugar
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
- ½ - 1 tsp cinnamon
- ½ cup low fat, or fat free whipped topping (optional)
- Granny Smith Apples
- Green Seedless Grapes
- Red Seedless Grapes
- Red Licorice
- In a mixing bowl, beat together the cream cheese, pumpkin puree, cinnamon, vanilla, brown sugar. Start at low speed until the ingredients are incorporated and then mix on high 2 minutes. Start with ½ tsp cinnamon and then add up to ½ tsp more to taste.
- Gently fold in the whipped topping for an even fluffier fruit dip. This step can be omitted if you wish.
- With a mandolin, slice the apples to ⅜" thick. Cut the apples in half and then use a small circle cookie cutter to cut out the center seeds and core. Store the apple slices in water with lemon juice until ready to serve to discourage browning.
- Fill a small round serving dish with the pumpkin dish and place in the center of the platter.
- On a large round platter, place a few rows of apples around the whole outside of the platter.
- Fill in the center of the wreath with green grapes.
- Place red grapes, in bunches of 3, around the wreath to look like berries.
- To complete the wreath, tie a bow with licorice string and place at the bottom of the wreath.
- Serve any additional fruit in a tray to the side.
I really like my fruit dip light and fluffy so I fold in some low-fat whipped topping after everything else is mixed. You can skip that step if you want to. I wanted flat apple slices to work with, I thought it would be easier to construct the wreath. If you don’t have a mandolin though, just use a regular apple slicer. I’m sure it will work fine, you just may be to make some adjustments when constructing the wreath.
I headed to Sam’s Club to shop for this recipe. I really loved the selection I found in the produce section. Shopping at Sam’s Club is especially helpful during the holidays when I’m entertaining a crowd. They have great prices on bulk items and convenient shopping hours, especially for business members.
The licorice string bow isn’t a true bow, I just made some loops around. Licorice string sticks to itself nicely and is very easy to work with. I just love how fresh and inviting the fruit wreath looks. I think your guests are going to love it too! I’m sure they will appreciate the effort to include some healthier options too!
In addition to using low calorie ingredients, you can also focus on keeping serving sizes small. One suggestion would be to use a teaspoon to serve up the fruit dip instead of tablespoon or a larger serving spoon. You can also try some festive plates. I didn’t want to cover up the fun trees, so my serving size stayed small. I’ll admit that it’s pretty far out there, but it worked for me. I guess it depends on how many food bloggers you invite to your party. Ha!
I want to hear from you! What are your tips and strategies for keeping the calories in check during the holidays? Leave me a comment, I’d love to hear your tips.
Looking for other fun Christmas food ideas? Check out this Christmas themed dinner.
This is really beautiful, and it looks yummy! I love pumpkin flavors this time of year, but I like that this is a little lighter and not so overwhelming!
I need to take a dish to an annual Christmas party and your pumpkin dip and fruit wreath will be perfect. It looks beautiful and so festive!
Yum this is the 2nd pumpkin recipe I found today I am addicted to pumpkin!! I think I would use it in everything if my hubby would let me 🙂
What a clever fruit tray! I love how you shaped the fruit into a wreath! Perfect way to cut calories but still enjoy a tasty snack/dessert. I love Sam’s Club.
How do you keep the apple slices from turning brown?
It seems like I just get them cut and they are already starting to turn.
The pumpkin dip looks like it would taste amazing with fresh fruit!
As soon as I cut them I put them in water with some lemon juice. I don’t pull them out until I’m ready to serve. Keep a lid or paper towel over the top to keep the apples in the water. They will still brown but it slows down the process.
That really looks fresh and good. I do have a hard time sticking to my health goals with sweet potato pies and other holiday treats tempting me. Maybe making this will help keep me on track. 🙂
I love this fruit wreath!! I never thought to make a pumpkin dip like this before.
I love healthy snacks. The combination of grapes and apples is totally lovely. Thanks for sharing!
This is so creative! I love taking ordinary platings and making the food look like art. This is lovely.
Looks like a great thing to have on a party of a family get together. Perfect for the holidays.
Beautifully and wonderfully done, I must confess though I would watch calories any time of the year Christmas is not one of them lol.
I love pumpkin so this recipe is right up my alley! It sounds delicious with the grapes!
Sounds delicious! We are having a few people over for the holidays and I’ve been looking at finger foods that will be fun and simple to eat. This would totally make the cut!
What a great idea! This cute fruit wreath would make a delicious addition to any holiday gathering! Have to try it out! I think I’ll add some clementines too!
This is a great idea for a Christmas party platter.
I love this fruit wreath, what a festive way to display fruit for entertaining!