Easy Fruit Salad with Cool Whip

Directions

  1. 1Drain the juice from the pineapple bits into a large mixing bowl and set aside the actual pineapple.
  2. 2Add the instant vanilla pudding to the pineapple juice and mix.
  3. 3Add the drained fruit cocktail, pineapple, mandarin oranges, strawberries, and halved cherries into the bowl.
  4. 4Stir until everything is evenly coated.
  5. 5Mix in the marshmallows until they are evenly distributed.
  6. 6Once the fruit, pudding, and marshmallows are combined, fold the Cool Whip into the fruit mixture.
  7. 7Mix until everything is thoroughly coated.
  8. 8Chill the Cool Whip fruit salad in the refrigerator for at least one hour before serving.

Ingredients

  • 20 ounce pineapple tidbits with juices
  • 3.4 ounce package instant vanilla pudding
  • 15 ounce can fruit cocktail drained
  • 10.5 ounce jar mandarin oranges drained
  • 1 cup fresh strawberries sliced
  • 6 ounce jar stemless maraschino cherries halved
  • 2 cups mini white marshmallows
  • 8 ounce tub Cool Whip thawed

Equipment

large mixing bowlrefrigerator

Tips

  • Choose fresh, ripe strawberries to add that perfect balance of sweet and tang.
  • Keep the Cool Whip chilled before mixing for maximum creaminess.
  • Gently fold in the Cool Whip to keep the fruit intact using a rubber spatula.
  • Chill the dessert salad before serving for at least an hour.
  • Drain the fruit well before adding it to the mix.