White Chocolate Fruit Dip with Almond Extract

I love serving fresh, tasty produce as a side dish or bringing it to a potluck, but it is even better if I can dress it up a bit with a yummy fruit dip. Again, this recipe is from my mom’s kitchen and is easy, delicious and economical. We love this dip with just about anything, but it is ideal for berries, pineapple, grapes and cantaloupe. Here’s to a little taste of spring!

White Chocolate, Almond Fruit Dip

2 small packages JELLO instant white chocolate pudding (can use fat free/sugar free variety)
3 cups milk
1 Tablespoon almost extract
1 12 oz. tub of cool whip, thawed (can use lite cool whip)

Mix pudding with milk for two minutes with a wire whisk. Add extract and mix another minute. Put in fridge until set. Fold in cool whip. Keep refrigerated until served.

Frequently Asked Questions: White Chocolate Fruit Dip

What fruit is best with white chocolate fruit dip?

Berries, pineapple, grapes, and cantaloupe are the ones I reach for. Strawberries in particular are ideal — sturdy enough to scoop with and tart enough to balance the sweetness. Very watery melon can thin the dip where it sits on the plate, so serve those alongside rather than mixed in.

Can I make it ahead?

Yes — it is designed to be made ahead, since the pudding base has to set in the fridge before you fold in the Cool Whip. Make it the night before a party and keep it refrigerated until you serve. Give it a gentle stir before it goes on the table.

Can I use sugar free or lite versions?

Yes. The recipe specifically notes that the fat free or sugar free instant pudding works, and lite Cool Whip works too. The almond extract is doing most of the flavor work, so the lighter versions hold up better here than they would in a recipe that leans on richness.

Why is my dip runny?

Almost always because the Cool Whip went in before the pudding had set. Mix the pudding with the milk, add the extract, and then refrigerate until it is genuinely firm before folding anything in. Over-mixing at the folding stage is the other cause — it deflates the Cool Whip and loosens the whole thing.