Walnut Free Apple-Ginger Fruit Salad Cups
These little apple cups are as pretty as they are delicious, turning a simple fruit salad into something that genuinely looks like you tried. Honeycrisp or Fuji apples get hollowed into natural serving bowls, then filled with a bright mix of diced apple, pear, blueberries, and strawberries — all tossed in a zingy lime-honey dressing with fresh ginger and Ceylon cinnamon. That dressing is the real star: the ginger adds a gentle warmth, the cinnamon brings depth, and the lime zest keeps everything tasting fresh and lively. A short ten-minute rest lets the fruit soak up all those flavors before you spoon it into the cups, so every bite is perfectly balanced. For anyone navigating tree nut concerns, this recipe is naturally built around fruit, honey, and spice — no nuts anywhere in the ingredient list, no substitutions needed. A scatter of fresh mint on top is optional but highly recommended for that extra pop of color and cool finish. These are ideal for a brunch spread, a light dessert, or honestly just a snack that feels a little more special than it has any right to be.
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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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