Chocolate-coated apples and strawberries have been a fixture at parties for generations. However, there are a range of other pairings one can experiment with when it comes to matching fruits with sweet sauces. Tropical fruits, including mangoes, pineapples, and kiwis are endowed with an inherent acidity and earthiness; therefore, these fruits require a dipping sauce that helps counter the aforementioned flavours to craft a well-balanced treat. That’s why rustic butterscotch sauce or enriching caramel sauce are usually served with tropical fruits.
Similarly, chocolate sauce is thought to be well-suited to stone fruits, such as figs, peaches, and plums. There are no set rules though; dips and fruits can be customised per taste and preference. For example, if you want to enhance the tart quotient of the given stone fruits, you can always replace the chocolate sauce with a cream-cheese dip or a coconut-infused sweet sauce. It’s essential to try out different fruit and dipping sauce combinations to figure out your own personal preference as well as to expand your palate.
Check out the top 6 dipping sauces for fruits.
Butterscotch
Also known as “Bolinhas caramel,” butterscotch boasts a pungent, buttery, and a sweet flavour profile that accentuates the intrinsic tartness of apples. This sauce also possesses a velvety texture, which in turn, serves to invigorate the crunchy and crispy texture of apples. For chilled apple slices, it’s recommended to employ a warm or a room-temperature caramel glaze as this contrast in temperature is guaranteed to introduce a fascinating sensory element to the overall experience.
Chocolate Ganache
Chocolate ganache is denser, and therefore, richer than regular chocolate sauce; thus, it tends to act as a better dip. The sinful sweetness of the chocolate pairs flawlessly with the juiciness of several fruits, but especially apples as the chocolate helps highlight the apple’s inherent sweetness. The smooth texture of chocolate also lends the perfect balance to the crunchy bite of fruits like apples, berries, and bananas. Dark chocolate is usually paired with peaches and plums, whereas white chocolate works well with raspberries and pineapple.
Maple Cream And Coconut Cream
Maple cream is prepared by blending maple syrup and heavy cream; it boasts caramelised undertones which have mingled wonderfully with the extravagance of cream. Stone fruits like peaches, figs, and plums pair well with this sauce. However, for tropical fruits, including mango and pineapple, it’s recommended to opt for a coconut cream sauce instead, crafted from the flesh of mature coconuts. Sweeten the sauce with a dash of sugar or honey to enhance the taste of the coconut cream sauce.
Minted Lime Yoghurt Sauce
To make a citrusy and a rejuvenating sauce, blend Greek yoghurt with fresh mint and as splash of lime juice. This minty lime yoghurt dip provides a zesty and botanical counterbalance to the excessive sweetness of water-heavy fruits, such as watermelon, grapes, and other citric foods. The vibrancy of lime juice boasts a refreshing punch, whereas the intense herbal notes of mint help pack the dip with flavour. This dip works wonderfully as a palate cleanser as well as a feature in an ornate meal.
Nut Butter Sauce
Butters derived from nuts, such as peanut butter, almond butter, and more, act as savory and protein-laden dipping sauces for fruits. To prepare a nut butter dip, thin out the spread with some honey or yogurt to concoct a dip-worthy texture. In addition to uplifting the texture of the butter, this action will also introduce a tinge of sweetness to counteract the sauce’s natural nutty taste. Nut butter dips pair flawlessly with apples, pears, and bananas.
Yoghurt
Yoghurt serves as an impressive foundation for the creation of more powerful sauces like honey or caramel. Honey, for example, is composed of a smoothness that supports the tartness of yogurt, and contributes to elevating the taste of fruits like berries, melons, and citrus fruits. If you’re short on yoghurt, you can also attempt to mix cream cheese with powdered sugar to craft a breezy and fluffy sauce that can be eaten with strawberries and pineapples.