This fruit salad with Cool Whip is sweet, creamy, and irresistibly tasty. It’s an ideal choice for holiday tables, Sunday dinners, brunches, potlucks, and any time you need a crowd-pleasing side or light dessert. Quick to assemble and colorful to serve, this fruit salad combines simple canned fruit, fresh grapes, marshmallows, and a whipped topping for an easy, festive dish.
Table of contents
- Why You Will Love Fruit Salad with Marshmallows and Cool Whip
- Ingredients
- How To Make Fruit Salad with Cool Whip
- Tips & Variations
- Recipe FAQ
- Storing
Why You Will Love Fruit Salad with Marshmallows and Cool Whip
- Effortless and reliable. A simple recipe that’s ready in minutes and suits large groups.
- Minimal prep. Mostly dump-and-stir—perfect when you need a stress-free side.
- Sweet, creamy texture. Cool Whip and marshmallows add a light, fluffy sweetness that complements the fruit.
- Festive and familiar. Bright colors and classic flavors make this a popular holiday or potluck option.
Ingredients
- Cool Whip: 8 oz., thawed—this whipped topping provides the creamy base.
- Maraschino cherries: 10 oz. whole; reserve about 4 tablespoons of the juice to flavor the Cool Whip, then drain the cherries.
- Grapes: ½ cup seedless green and ½ cup seedless red grapes, halved.
- Mini marshmallows: 2 cups. Mini size blends best with the other bite-sized fruit.
- Mandarin oranges: 10.5 oz. can, drained. Canned fruit keeps the recipe quick and consistent.
- Pineapple tidbits: 10 oz. can, drained.
- Sweetened shredded coconut: 2/3 cup for a tropical touch.
- Chopped pecans: ½ cup for crunch and flavor.
How To Make Fruit Salad with Cool Whip
- Mix the base. In a large bowl, stir the thawed Cool Whip together with the reserved maraschino cherry juice until evenly tinted and smooth.
- Add the ingredients. Fold in the drained cherries, halved grapes, mini marshmallows, drained mandarin oranges, drained pineapple tidbits, shredded coconut, and chopped pecans.
- Toss lightly. Gently combine until all pieces are coated with the whipped topping.
- Chill. Refrigerate until ready to serve so flavors meld and the salad is nicely chilled.
Tips & Variations
- Use fresh fruit. Swap drained canned mandarins or pineapple for fresh, seedless mandarins and fresh pineapple if you prefer.
- Swap the nuts. Almonds, pistachios, walnuts, or hazelnuts all work well if you want a different crunch or flavor.
- Change fruits freely. Bananas, kiwis, apples (for extra crunch), or berries are all excellent substitutions or additions.
- Keep it chilled. This dish tastes best cold—serve straight from the fridge.
- Alternate the topping. Use freshly whipped cream instead of Cool Whip if you prefer a homemade taste; prepare closer to serving time, as fresh whipped cream won’t hold as long.
Serving Suggestions
This fruit salad pairs nicely with brunch favorites, light breakfasts, and holiday mains. Serve it alongside breakfast casseroles or pancakes for a sweet contrast, or include it on a holiday buffet with green beans, sweet potato casserole, and mashed potatoes for a colorful side option. It also works well with easy weeknight mains when you need a quick, make-ahead side dish.
Recipe FAQ
It works as both. Many serve it as a side at holiday meals, but the sweetness from Cool Whip and marshmallows also makes it dessert-like. Use it wherever a sweet, fruity addition fits the menu.
Yes. You can prepare it the night before, though the best texture and flavor are enjoyed within 48 hours. After a few days the fruit will start to release more juice and the salad can become watery.
Storing
- Refrigerate. Keep the salad covered in the refrigerator for up to three days. For best texture and flavor, serve within 2–3 days of making it.
More Side Dish Recipes
Fruit Salad with Cool Whip
Ingredients
- 8 oz. Cool Whip , thawed
- 10 oz. maraschino cherries whole, reserve 4 tablespoons of juice, then drain
- ½ cup seedless green grapes, halved
- ½ cup seedless red grapes, halved
- 2 cups miniature marshmallows
- 10.5 ounces can mandarin oranges, drained
- 10 ounces can pineapple tidbits, drained
- ⅔ cup sweetened shredded coconut
- ½ cup chopped pecans
Instructions
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Add Cool Whip and reserved Maraschino cherry juice to a large mixing bowl, then fold gently until combined.
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Add cherries, grapes, marshmallows, oranges, pineapple, shredded coconut, and pecans to the bowl.
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Toss gently until well mixed and coated.
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Place in refrigerator until ready to serve.
Notes
- More fresh fruit. Fresh seedless mandarins and fresh pineapple are fine substitutes for canned fruit.
- Change up the nuts! Swap pecans for almonds, pistachios, walnuts, or hazelnuts to vary texture and flavor.
- Use different fruits. Add bananas, kiwis, apples, or berries depending on preference and seasonality.
- Serve chilled. This creamy fruit fluff is best enjoyed cold.
- Swap the Cool Whip. Fresh whipped cream is an option but prepare closer to serving since it won’t hold as long.
- Store. Refrigerate for up to three days; for best texture enjoy within 2–3 days.
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