Gelatin Free Apple-Ginger Fruit Salad Cups
These little apple cups are as pretty as they are delicious — a vibrant mix of berries, pear, and crisp apple tossed in a bright dressing of fresh lime juice, raw honey, grated ginger, and Ceylon cinnamon. Every ingredient here is completely plant-based and naturally free from animal-derived thickeners, so there's no need to scrutinize labels or swap anything out. The dressing comes together with a quick whisk, and the lime juice does double duty — flavoring the salad and keeping those hollowed-out apple cups from browning. After a short ten-minute rest, the fruit soaks up all that zingy, warmly spiced dressing and practically glows. Serving the salad inside the apple halves themselves means zero extra dishes and a presentation that genuinely wows guests. A scatter of fresh mint on top adds a cool, herby finish that makes the whole thing feel a little fancy without any extra effort. This is the kind of recipe you'll reach for at brunches, potlucks, or any time you want something refreshing that looks like you tried way harder than you did.
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Learn more →Ingredients
4 servings
For the apple cups
- 4 medium apples (such as honeycrisp or fuji), for the cups
- 1 tbsp fresh lime juice (from about 1 lime), for brushing cups
For the fruit salad
- 2 medium apples (such as granny smith or pink lady), diced into ½-inch pieces
- 1 medium ripe pear, diced into ½-inch pieces
- 1 cup fresh blueberries
- 1 cup fresh strawberries, hulled and quartered
For the dressing
- 2 tbsp fresh lime juice (from about 2 limes)
- 1 tbsp raw honey
- 1 tsp fresh ginger, finely grated
- ¼ tsp ground ceylon cinnamon
- 1 tsp lime zest
For serving
- 2 tbsp fresh mint leaves, thinly sliced (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Halve 4 apples crosswise (through the equator, not stem to base) to create 8 cup-shaped halves. Use a melon baller or small spoon to scoop out the core and enough flesh to form a shallow bowl, leaving a wall about 1/2 inch thick. Brush the cut surfaces and interior of each cup with 1 tbsp lime juice to prevent browning, then set aside on a serving platter.
- 2
In a small bowl, whisk together the 2 tbsp lime juice, honey, grated ginger, ground Ceylon cinnamon, and lime zest until the honey is fully dissolved and the dressing is smooth.
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