How to Make Decorative Fruit Trays

Fruit trays are an ideal addition to the food list for almost any party. Fruits provide a healthy option for guests, and the bright and varying colors fruits come in can help you turn your food table more appealing to the eye and part of the party decor. Designing a fruit tray is a relatively easy process with a variety of ripe fruits, combined with a little creativity and imagination.

Things You'll Need

• Purple or green grapes
• Kiwifruit
• Strawberries
• Oranges
• Bing cherries
• Blueberries and raspberries (optional)
• Knife
• Serving tray

Instructions

1. Prepare the fruit. Wash all of the fruit thoroughly under cool, running water and dry it completely.

2. Start with the grapes. Leave the grapes on the stems, but cut the stems into pieces so that when a guest picks up a bunch, she will have about five or six grapes on each one.

3. Pile the bunches of grapes into the center of the tray, creating a centerpiece that is somewhat elevated over the other fruits.

4. Slice the kiwi into quarter inch slices. You can leave the skin on, as it is easily removed by guests before eating. Fan out the slices of kiwi along the outer edge of the tray.

5. Leave the green on each of the strawberries to add color. Select one portion of the tray and pile the strawberries next to the grapes.

6. Slice the oranges into quarter-inch slices and fan the slices out on the tray as the next layer down from the kiwi.

7. Leave the stems on the cherries for easy grabbing. Pile them together in an area of the tray or place them randomly among the other fruits.

8. If using blueberries and raspberries, sprinkle them randomly all over the tray. This will add more color as well as fruit variety.

Tips & Warnings

• Don't be afraid to add whole pieces of fruit such as apples and small-to-medium-sized bananas. This is an especially good addition if serving the tray during breakfast or brunch, when a whole piece of fruit is likely to be eaten.

• Plan ahead, but not too far ahead. Fruit trays can be made a few hours before a party, but if you are using cut fruit, you don't want them to sit in the fridge for too long. The pieces of fruit may start changing color or spoil if they are already very ripe.

References

• A Bridal Shower: Fruit Trays
• Cooking with Skinny and Minny: How to Prepare a Fruit Tray

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish