Spring is definitely in full force here in the Carolinas.  With warmer weather I always get cravings for tons more fruit in my diet…refreshing, healthy, and soooo good!

I love making a big fruit salad for the family.  The three of us can make one disappear pretty quickly, so I love having great fruit salad recipes on hand.  This one is one of our favorites – definitely on the sweeter side, so it’s also a great dessert alternative!  I adapted this from another recipe years ago, and have added my own twists over time.  It’s crazy easy to make and many ways to change it up…enjoy!

Get started with your cream cheese and sugar (the good stuff!).  I use the 1/3 less fat version of cream cheese to up the “healthy” factor…aka, so I can get away with calling this fruit salad rather than dessert.

I use my mixer, though it can be done by hand, because well I really just love my mixer. I add in the lime juice halfway through mixing, scrape down, and mix some more.

Then fold in (gently) your whipped cream or whipped topping.  I use Lite Cool Whip if I’m in a hurry, and to cut back some calories.

Grab your berries of choice – make sure they are fresh, not frozen, as frozen berries will ruin the fluffiness of the cream and become a soupy mess.  You can take my word for it.  I sacrificed and did the testing for you on that one.

Once you fold in all your berries, its ready to serve!  You will have swiped a few (dozen) cream-covered berries at this point.  So try to resist just grabbing a spoon and keeping it all for yourself – it’s very pretty in simple glass bowls/cups if it makes it that far!

Berries and Cream Fruit Salad

6-7 c. assorted berries (more if you want it to be heavier on the fruit than the cream)

8oz. cream cheese

1/2 c. sugar

2 tsp. lime juice (key lime juice is especially tasty)

3-4 c. fresh whipped cream, or whipped topping

INSTRUCTIONS:

Prep all your berries by rinsing, chopping, etc. and set aside.  Mix cream cheese and sugar in mixer on medium speed.  Once all sugar is mixed in and mixture is smooth, scrape down, add lime juice, and mix completely.  Fold in whipped cream by hand.  Fold in all berries and mix fully.  Can be chilled for 15min prior to serving depending on desired consistency.  Enjoy!

xoxo, Monica