Let’s be real — when you think of dessert, I bet your mind jumps to cake, cookies, maybe pie, right? But here’s a thought: what if your next go-to sweet treat was built around the juicy, vibrant flavor of cantaloupe melons? Yep, I’m talking about creating a cantaloupe dessert that not only satisfies your sweet tooth but also feels like a cool breeze on a scorcher of a day.

This isn’t just any fruit platter. We’re building a unique way to serve fruit and ice cream together that’s as gorgeous as it is delicious — a rainbow medley featuring California cantaloupe, honeydew, watermelon, green table grapes, orange slices, and mixed berries along with Real California ice cream and sherbet. It’s the perfect summer dessert for backyard barbecues, brunches, or pool parties.

Why California Cantaloupe Steals the Show

If you’ve ever bitten into a California cantaloupe at peak ripeness, you know what I mean when I say it’s magic. The flavor of the cantaloupe is sweet, floral, and bursting with sunshine. That’s because these melons are grown in rich California soil and soaked in golden sun — basically nature’s candy.

When picking California cantaloupes at the farmer’s market or grocery store, here’s the perfect way to choose:

• 🎯 Weight matters: The melon should feel heavy for its size — that means it’s juicy inside.
• 👃 Sniff test: A ripe cantaloupe emits a sweet, musky aroma at the stem end.
• 🤲 Gentle squeeze: It should give slightly at the stem — not hard as a rock, not squishy.

Oh, and here’s a game-changer: serve your melon at room temperature. You’ll get the richest, most complex flavor, way beyond what you get from fridge-cold slices.

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How to Build Your Mixed Melon and Cantaloupe Dessert Platter

Ready to create a showstopper? Here’s the perfect way to do it:

1️⃣ Ripe cantaloupe wedges or cubes — the star of the show.
2️⃣ Honeydew slices — another California favorite, adding a lovely green contrast.
3️⃣ Watermelon chunks — for color and extra juiciness.
4️⃣ Green table grapes — because no fruit platter is complete without these poppable bites.
5️⃣ Orange slices — zesty, sweet, and balancing out the melons beautifully.
6️⃣ Scoops of Real California vanilla ice cream, strawberry ice cream, and sherbet — a creamy, fruity addition that takes this platter to dessert-level magic.

👉 Want to take it to the next level? Drizzle with honey, add pops of texture with chewy dates and crunchy pistachios, sprinkle with chopped herbs, beautiful pops of flowers, or grate a little lime zest over the top. Trust me, it’s a unique way to make your platter unforgettable.

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Tips for Hot Summer Days

This fruity treat is built for hot summer days, but a few quick tips will help keep it looking and tasting fresh:

• Assemble the platter right before serving to keep everything at its peak.
• If you need to prep ahead, store the cut fruit separately in airtight containers.
• A chilled platter or tray will help keep the fruit cool longer once it hits the table.
• Want to stay cool under pressure? Pre-scoop different sizes of each ice cream and sorbet flavor — big scoops, small scoops, even melon-ball-sized mini scoops for fun variety. Arrange them on parchment paper-lined baking sheets and freeze until solid. That way, you’re ready to go when it’s time to build and serve!

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Why This Dessert Recipe Is One of Our Favorite Things

There’s something ridiculously satisfying about making a dish that’s both beautiful and good for you. This platter checks all the boxes:

✅ Hydrating and naturally sweet — perfect for a refreshing dessert.
✅ No oven or stove required, and ice cream (hallelujah for that on a 90-degree day).
✅ It celebrates the best of California’s produce — can’t go wrong with that.

And the best part? You don’t need a culinary degree to pull this off. The beauty is in the simplicity — and in the flavor of the fruit shining through.

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What to Try Next Time

Okay, so you’ve mastered this platter. Next time, why not mix it up?

• Swap in other seasonal fruits: figs, kiwi, or stone fruit are great options.
• Add a dip: a fruit-dip or citrusy whipped ricotta would be 🔥.
• Build mini individual platters for each guest — talk about a unique way to serve dessert!

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So there you have it — your roadmap to a cantaloupe dessert that’s anything but boring. This is more than a fruit plate; it’s a celebration of what California does best: growing the sweetest, juiciest, most irresistible melons around.

Next time you’re looking for a perfect summer dessert, skip the cake. Build yourself a platter of sliced whole cantaloupes, honeydew, watermelon, and decadent scoops of ice cream and sherbet made with Real California Milk— then watch your guests go back for seconds (and thirds).

NEED A COOL PLAYLIST FOR PREPPING THIS CANTALOUPE DESSERT PLATTER? CHECK OUT OUR CA GROWN SPOTIFY PLAYLISTS:

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So what are you waiting for? Go grab some melons and whip up this gorgeous dessert platter. Then post your masterpiece, tag us @cagrownofficial, and show us how you serve it by sharing and using the hashtag #CAGROWN. ✨

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