Pineapple Boat with Fluffy Fruit Dip

At the root of this appetizer is a boatload of sweet, citrusy flavor. Children will find the carved pineapple appealing and be eager to dig into the delicious dip inside with fresh-cut chunks of summer fruit.

Pineapple Boat with Fluffy Fruit Dip

Yield: 6 cups dip

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 egg, beaten
• 2 tablespoons orange juice
• 2 tablespoons grated orange peel
• 2 teaspoons lemon juice
• 2 teaspoons grated lemon peel
• 1 package (3 ounces) cream cheese, softened
• 1 carton (12 ounces) frozen whipped topping, thawed
• 1 large ripe pineapple
• Additional orange and lemon peel, optional
• Assorted fresh fruit

Directions

1. In a saucepan, combine the first six ingredients; cook and stir over low heat until mixture reaches 160*. Remove from the heat.
2. In a bowl, beat cream cheese. Gradually add egg mixture, beating until smooth. Cool to room temperature. Fold in whipped topping. Refrigerate until serving.
3. Stand pineapple upright and vertically cut about a third from one side, leaving the top attached. Remove fruit and discard outer peel from the smaller section. Remove fruit from the larger section, leaving a 1/2-in. shell. Cut fruit into chunks.
4. Fill shell with dip. Sprinkle with and orange and lemon peel if desired. Serve with pineapple chunks and other fruit.