My grandma Betty literally made this up on the spot one year when we had unexpected guests. Everyone begged for the secret but it is honestly almost too easy.

This sweet fluff dip is exactly the kind of last-minute recipe that becomes a family regular: a little cream cheese for body, marshmallow creme for that nostalgic fluffy sweetness, heavy cream for an airy texture, and pastel candies folded in for color and crunch. It feels a bit like a dessert salad and a party dip had a very charming Midwest meeting, and the best part is that it comes together with almost no effort while still looking festive enough for Easter, baby showers, spring brunches, or any gathering where you need something easy and cheerful.

Serve this dip well chilled with vanilla wafers, graham crackers, butter cookies, pretzels, strawberries, pineapple chunks, or apple slices. Because it is sweet and creamy, it also fits nicely on a dessert board alongside fresh fruit and a few salty snacks, which helps balance the richness and gives guests plenty of options for scooping.

Grandma Betty’s Sweet Fluff Dip

Servings: 8

Ingredients

8 ounces cream cheese, softened

7 ounces marshmallow creme

1/2 cup heavy cream, cold

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 1/4 cups pastel candy-coated chocolate candies or chopped pastel candies, divided

1 tablespoon powdered sugar, optional, for a slightly sweeter finish 

Directions

1. In a medium mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until completely smooth and free of lumps.

2. Add the marshmallow creme and vanilla extract, then beat again until the mixture is fully combined, glossy, and thick.

3. In a separate bowl, whip the cold heavy cream to soft peaks. If you want the dip a touch sweeter, add the powdered sugar while whipping.