How to Make Your Own Edible Arrangement of Fruit

If you're looking for an impressive dessert for your next party, try making an edible arrangement of fresh cut fruit. This beautiful display of fresh fruit is designed to resemble a basket of flowers. Different varieties of colorful fruits are cut into shapes and arranged in a basket on skewers. The fruit looks like the flowers and the skewers look like the stems. It is an easy project that is sure to wow your guests.

First, decide how large you would like your arrangement to be. Obviously you'll need to take into account the number of guests you will be feeding. Select an appropriate size basket for your arrangement. Keep in mind that it takes quite a bit of fruit to fill even a small basket. For an estimate you can plan on at least one fruit skewer per person.

Next you will need to select your fruits. Whatever is fresh and in season will work perfectly. The more color varieties the better. Strawberries, grapes, melon, and pineapple are all good choices. More exotic choices like kiwi will also work nicely. Avoid apples and bananas and other fruits that brown quickly. You want your arrangement to be fresh and vibrant.

Next you will need some green floral foam. This is available inexpensively from a craft store or florist. You will need enough to fill the bottom of your basket. Don't worry too much about the shape of the floral foam as you can cut it to fit into your basket. You will also need something to cover the floral foam. I like to use a ruffley edged lettuce such as Boston Bibb lettuce. Simply tear off large pieces of the lettuce and arrange over the floral foam in the basket. Let the ruffles of the lettuce hang over the sides of the basket for a lush effect. Lastly you will need some wooden skewers. These are available in the grocery store near the grilling items.

Now you will cut up your fruit and arrange it on the skewers. The exact design is up to you. Get creative! You can be as simple as putting several grapes on a skewer with a strawberry on the top to resemble a green stem with a red flower. Or you can get more elaborate and cut the cantaloupe into a flower shape and put a blueberry in the center. Start by placing the skewers in the center of the basket and then filling in the edges. Keep the center skewers tall to give your basket some height. It's fine if the skewers are taller than the handle of your basket. Cut the skewers into shorter pieces to use along the edges of the basket. Keep in mind that this is meant to resemble a floral arrangement. You are limited only by your imagination. But don't stress over it. A simple arrangement of chunks of colorful fruit look beautiful in any configuration.

When you are finished you will probably be impressed by your own creation. Your design will make a lovely centerpiece and your guests will be sure to enjoy the fruits of your labor.