Healthy Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Fruit Dip

Growing up, I always thought fruit and dip meant those plastic containers from the grocery store with their neon orange “cheese” sauce. That’s what my mom packed in our lunches, and honestly, I didn’t know any better. My kids had the same experience until I started experimenting in the kitchen one afternoon.

That’s when I discovered you could make something way better at home – like this chocolate chip cookie dough fruit dip. It takes just a few minutes to whip up, and unlike those store-bought dips, you actually know what’s in it. Plus, it tastes exactly like cookie dough (minus the raw eggs), which means my kids actually eat their fruit now.

What Kind of Cream Cheese Should I Use?

Regular block-style cream cheese is your best bet for this dip – just make sure it’s full-fat (not light) for the richest, creamiest texture. You’ll want to let your cream cheese come to room temperature before starting, which usually takes about 30-45 minutes on the counter. While generic brands can work fine, I find that Philadelphia cream cheese tends to have the smoothest consistency and best flavor for dips like this. Just avoid using whipped cream cheese or cream cheese spread from a tub, as they have different moisture levels that could make your dip too soft.

Options for Substitutions

This sweet dip recipe can be adapted with several substitutions if needed:

• Cream cheese: If you’re out of cream cheese, you can use mascarpone for an even richer taste. For a lighter version, try Neufchatel cheese, which has less fat but a similar texture.
• Butter: You can swap regular butter with plant-based butter for a dairy-free option. Just make sure it’s at the same temperature as the recipe calls for. Margarine works too, though the flavor won’t be quite as rich.
• Brown sugar: No brown sugar? Mix regular white sugar with 1 teaspoon of molasses. Or use coconut sugar as a 1:1 replacement – it’ll add a nice caramel note.
• Icing sugar: If you’re out of icing sugar, blend regular granulated sugar in a food processor until powdery. Use the same amount as called for in the recipe.
• Chocolate chips: Feel free to use any type of chocolate chips – dark, milk, or even white chocolate work great. You can also chop up your favorite chocolate bar instead. For a different twist, try peanut butter chips or butterscotch chips.

Watch Out for These Mistakes While Making

The biggest challenge when making cookie dough fruit dip is working with cream cheese and butter at the wrong temperature – make sure both are truly softened to room temperature (about 1 hour on the counter) to avoid a lumpy dip that’s difficult to mix.

Many home cooks rush the mixing process, but taking your time to cream the butter and cream cheese together first, before adding other ingredients, will reward you with a perfectly smooth texture that’s worth the extra few minutes.

To prevent the chocolate chips from sinking to the bottom of your dip, fold them in last and consider using mini chocolate chips instead of regular ones – they’ll distribute more evenly throughout the mixture and make for easier dipping.

For the best flavor, let the dip rest in the fridge for at least 30 minutes before serving, allowing the flavors to meld together, but remember to take it out about 15 minutes before serving so it becomes perfectly dippable again.

What to Serve With Cookie Dough Fruit Dip?

This sweet and creamy dip pairs perfectly with all kinds of fresh fruit for dipping! Firm fruits like apple slices, strawberries, and pear wedges work especially well since they can hold up to scooping through the thick dip. For a fun party spread, I like to add some graham crackers, pretzel sticks, and vanilla wafers to the mix – they give you that classic cookie flavor combo. You can also serve this dip with banana chunks or pineapple pieces if you’re craving something tropical. Just remember to keep your dippers bite-sized for easy snacking!

Storage Instructions

Keep Fresh: This yummy cookie dough dip stays good in the fridge for up to 5 days when kept in an airtight container. Just make sure to give it a good stir before serving since the chocolate chips might settle at the bottom. It’s perfect for making ahead when you’re planning a party!

Freeze: While you can freeze this dip for up to 1 month, the texture might change a bit when thawed. If you decide to freeze it, place it in a freezer-safe container and leave some space at the top since it may expand slightly.

Serve: When you’re ready to dig in, take the dip out of the fridge about 30 minutes before serving to let it soften – this makes it easier to scoop. If it seems a bit firm, just give it a quick stir to make it smooth and creamy again.

Preparation Time	10-15 minutes
Cooking Time	0 minutes
Total Time	10-15 minutes
Level of Difficulty	Easy

Estimated Nutrition

Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):

• Calories: 2000-2200
• Protein: 10-15 g
• Fat: 130-150 g
• Carbohydrates: 220-240 g

Ingredients

• 8 ounces cream cheese
• 1/2 cup butter
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 cup icing sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla essence
• 1 cup small chocolate chips

Step 1: Cream the Base Ingredients

Begin by placing butter, cream cheese, and brown sugar into a mixing bowl.

Using an electric mixer, cream these ingredients together until the mixture becomes fluffy and well combined.

This should take a couple of minutes on medium speed.

Step 2: Add Sweeteners and Flavoring

To the creamed mixture, add powdered sugar and vanilla extract.

Continue to beat with the mixer until the mixture is smooth and all the ingredients are fully incorporated.

This will ensure a creamy and sweet base for the dip.

Step 3: Incorporate the Chocolate Chips

Stir in chocolate chips gently using a spatula or spoon.

Make sure they are evenly distributed throughout the mixture to guarantee chocolatey goodness in every bite.

Step 4: Serve and Enjoy

Transfer the finished dip to a serving bowl.

Serve the dip with your choice of fresh fruit or cookies for dipping.

Perfect for a sweet treat or dessert option at gatherings!