The Perfect Way to Start a Winter's Breakfast

Winter might be cold, but it’s the perfect season to savor fresh, vibrant fruit. A winter fruit bowl brings together the best produce this season offers. It’s not just beautiful—it’s refreshing, healthy, and versatile. Whether you’re hosting a holiday brunch or looking for a simple snack, this dish fits right in.

Winter fruits like grapefruit, bananas and cranberries shine in this recipe. Their bold colors and flavors create a feast for the eyes and the palate. Plus, these fruits pack a punch of vitamins to energize you during the colder months. Adding unexpected touches, like a drizzle of honey or a sprinkle of nuts, takes it to the next level.

This recipe is quick to assemble, making it ideal for busy days. You can prepare it ahead of time and let the flavors meld beautifully. Serve it as a light dessert, a breakfast side, or even a palate cleanser after a heavy meal.

With a winter fruit bowl, you can make healthy eating feel indulgent. Keep reading to learn how to transform simple ingredients into a show-stopping dish that everyone will love. It’s fresh, it’s easy, and it’s bound to brighten your winter table!

Thanksgiving Favorite

Winter Fruit Bowl is one of my wife’s favorite holiday recipes, especially around Thanksgiving when fresh cranberries are plentiful. While you can use frozen cranberries, I recommend seeking out fresh ones if possible—they add a wonderful texture and brightness.

The recipe is simple and flexible, allowing you to adapt it to whatever you have on hand. For instance, grapefruits can be pricey this time of year, so my wife often substitutes jarred grapefruit slices. However, if we’re lucky enough to receive a basket of ruby red grapefruits from Florida, those always make it into the dish.

This recipe originally came from my sister-in-law, but with a little digging, I discovered its roots trace back to the Inn for Breakfast cookbook by Barb Wishon, from the SunCatcher Inn. Regardless of its origin, it has become a family favorite, perfect for brightening any holiday meal.

📖 Recipe

Print Recipe

Winter Fruit Bowl Recipe

Prep Time5

Cook Time15

Total Time20

Course: Breakfast

Cuisine: American

Ingredients

4 medium grapefruit
½ cup orange marmalade
1 cup sugar
2 cups fresh cranberries
3 medium bananas

My Suggestions for Additional Ingredients

fall apples or pears, peeled
seedless grapes
red or white blackberries or blueberries, in season
vanilla yogurt on top would be another treat and if you were looking for a nutritious meal you might think about a little granola.

Instructions

I'm going to assume you are using fresh grapefruit. Not as easy as the slices you find in a jar, but much more flavorful. If using fresh grapefruit, peel them, remove the pith, and section and be sure to work over a bowl so you can reserve any juices. If you use the jarred slices, use the liquid they come in.
It would help if you had a cup of liquid, so in a medium-sized saucepan, add enough water to the natural juices to end up with a cup.
To this, add the marmalade and sugar and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Be sure to stir until the sugar dissolves.
Add the fresh cranberries and cook until the skins pop. This should take about 5 minutes but can take more. Immediately remove the pan from the heat and let it cool.
Add your grapefruit slices, cover them, and chill in the refrigerator.
Before serving, slice the bananas, add them to the fruit bowl, and serve.