Fruit Bouquet

Make your own edible arrangement quickly and cheaply with this easy tutorial. 

When flowers aren't quite right, or you want a present that's slightly more unique, a fruit bouquet is just the thing.  Completely customizable to suit any tastes, this special treat can be whipped up in an instant.   (Can anyone say "last-minute gifts"?)

What better way to get in your 4-servings a day, than this custom-made, personalized fruit basket slash flower bouquet with a twist! 

Step 1: Materials

Gather whatever fruit looks fresh that you or the recipient are fond of.  (If you're around for the receiving of the gift, there's no reason not to include a couple treats for yourself!).

You'll also need:

• Skewers - I ended up using two different sizes, but a pair of good scissors will suffice!
• A vessel to make the arrangement in - not too tall, and something kind of wide and opaque.  I started off with a clear vase, but you could see all the skewers through it, and that was not attractive.  I ended with a white tea pot.
• Some clay or foam to stick the skewers in  (optional, really - it didn't serve me at all)
• Chocolate for dipping (also optional)
• Parsley to fill in as greenery

Step 2: Prep Strawberries

If you can get strawberries, they can really make this arrangement pop.

Clean them well and skewer them.  I cut the tops off of mine because they were white, and I didn't like the way that looked.  (Granted, the fact that  I can find strawberries in February at all is quite something, so I'm not complaining.) 

I really really wish I hadn't cut those tops off.   I ended up using a blueberry on the skewer to try and keep them from sliding down the points.  It didn't work.  Don't cut the tops off :D

I chose one or two lovely strawberries to perfect  this rose making technique, and used them as the centerpiece to the bouquet.

Step 3: Cut Pineapple

I love fresh pineapple, and it's a large enough fruit that it provides you quite the palette to play with.

To test the freshness of a pineapple, pull the leaves from the top.  If they come away easily, you've got your self a good one.

Slice the pineapple in 1/2" (1 - 1.5cm) or so slices.  Then, using a cookie cutter or knife, you can cut these slices into whatever shapes suit your fancy. 

I happened to have a flower and a heart cookie cutter, and they both worked perfectly.

To make the flower, I skewered the center of the pineapple, and used a blackberry for the center.  Here's a tip:  blackberries bleed.  Next time I'll use a melon ball.

Step 4: Dipping Fruit in Chocolate

I used this great Instructable to guide me in dipping my strawberries.  Great double-boiler techniques there, as I ruined my first batch of chocolate in the microwave.  I'm beginning to think I'm not cut out for this candy-making stuff.

You can dip any or all of your fruits in the chocolate.  Make sure they are as dry as you can get them, as any water in the chocolate will turn it against you.  I stuck with strawberries I'd dried in a paper towel.  No need to press my luck.

Step 5: Arrange

Continue cutting and styling your array of fruit however it suits your fancy.

Use taller skewers in the center, and shorter ones to the outside.  Experiment with different angles to fill out the shape.

I made sticks of blueberries to try and emulate hyacinth.  They were delicious.  I also added some crescents of canteloupe and stems of blackberries to fill out the arrangement.  Finally,  I added sprigs of parsley to fill in the space between the skewers. 

After this experiment, I have much more respect for the people who make these arrangements professionally.  Though it cost me a fraction of the price, and took very little time, I succeeded in making an enormous mess of my kitchen, and have yet to perfect the art of arrangements.

Nonetheless, the receiver was thrilled, and I got to munch on some yummy fruits as well.   It was a great (if last minute) present!

Comments

[charlieanderin]

What did u put it in?

[Frederbee]

You may want to change the exact wording of your description, as Edible Arrangements is a franchise (and quite a touchy one at that!). I worked there last summer, and the company is very big on copyright.

[whiteoakart]

I love your blueberry hyacinths! We are making one of these tonight as a family for Valentine's Day. Thanks

[wdibtt]

I've seen coupons for these types of edible arrangements at http://www.couponediblearrangements.com/.  It's a pretty basic site but sometimes they display coupons for places near you.  I've seen them for 90% off!  You have to hit it at the right time of day though.

[scoochmaroo]

Awesome! Be sure to share your pictures!

[jtmjr]

That looks very nice i have made a couple myself if you want some ideas check out my slideshow

[jwystup]

This is amazing. I just made one for mother's day and brought it to my mom. She loved it! (And ate about half of it before putting it in her fridge). It was tough to drive with, since I was driving alone - I didn't have far to go so I held it and drove with one hand.

I used extra blueberries for the inside of my pineapple flowers, they worked great. I had a bunch of chocolate strawberries and a few rose strawberries. I also covered one of the blueberry sticks with chocolate!

One note - I couldn't find a white container but I found a cheap ($3) plain clear vase at walmart. I printed "Happy Mother's Day" on the center of a piece of plain computer paper, rolled it up, and stuck it inside to hide the skewers - this worked great.

I will post a picture as soon as I upload it to my computer! We still have to make another for my boyfriend's mom on tuesday because they're at the movies today :P

Oh and my sister mentioned having tried chocolate dipped pineapple before, she said it was amazing. I'm wondering how this works and I'm about to google it...

[GlitterH]

That looks brilliant. I think I might try making one of these for my husband - it's our 4th wedding anniversary this year which (apparently) is Fruit and Flowers. This would be perfect.

mmm I'm getting hungry looking at your pics lol

:)

[sunshiine]

Very pretty!  I have not tried to make one of these but plan to the next time I have guest over!  It looks like fun also!

[kcls]

Careful you don't get sued by Edible Arrangements :) Great 'ible!

[socca_grl101]

WoW! This is AwSuM!

[Hello Kitty]

Wow! This is really cool! It looks just like the bouquets they make on that commercial!
My mom made one kind of like this awhile back (I wonder if should try and find those pics . . . :-)

[Kryptonite]

I suggest: yes.

[Hello Kitty]

Okay, finally found them on an old hard drive. Not exactly what I remembered, since it's not really the same, and I can't find a good picture of the watermelon. But if I find any more, I'll let you know.

[Kryptonite]

Oh wow that's so cool! I love it, very well done! A fruit basket and a platter with the centre piece as a pineapple, I'm loving it!

[Hello Kitty]

Thanks, glad you like it!

[lemonie]

Very nicely arranged too. Ever eaten rose petals?

L

[Kryptonite]

Depends on what type. I tried a yellow one which was really bitter, but a pink one gave a much fresher, but slightly bland taste.

And you really want to know why I go around The National Rose Gaden tasting rose petals?

[lemonie]

I suppose that I do want to know.

L

[Kryptonite]

:-)