Creamy Fruit Salad (Print Version)
# Ingredients:
01 -
1 cup of mini marshmallows to sweeten things up
02 -
12 oz. jar of no-stem maraschino cherries, drained well
03 -
1 cup of shredded coconut for a chewy bite
04 -
8 oz. container of thawed Cool Whip, ready to use
05 -
20 oz. can of pineapple chunks, drained until dry
06 -
15 oz. tin of mandarin orange slices, let all the juice go
07 -
3/4 cup of creamy, tangy vanilla Greek yogurt (a handy 6 oz. tub works too)
08 -
1/2 cup of chopped pecans for a crispy topping (optional, sprinkle it last)
# Instructions:
01 -
Pour the pineapple, cherries, and oranges into a strainer to remove any excess liquid. Give them some time to air out and make sure they're good and dry. If there are any sneaky stems left on the cherries, pull those out now so everyone gets a smooth bite.
02 -
Grab a large mixing bowl and toss in the oranges, cherries, and pineapple. Sprinkle in the coconut shreds along with the marshmallows. Slowly mix in the yogurt, which adds a little tang while helping everything blend nicely.
03 -
Use a flexible spatula or a wide spoon to gently fold the mixture together. Go slow so you don't squish the fruit, but make sure the coconut and marshmallows are spread through evenly.
04 -
Now, fold in the fluffy Cool Whip. Use a gentle scooping motion, bringing everything together without flattening the texture. Keep it light so the dish stays airy and delicious. Make sure it's all coated, but don't overmix.
05 -
Transfer the mix to your favorite serving dish or a container if you're prepping ahead. Cover it up and pop it in the fridge for at least an hour. This cooling time makes the flavors meld perfectly, and the marshmallows soften beautifully.
06 -
Before you dig in, give everything a quick stir to liven it up. If you're adding pecans, scatter them on top right before serving so they stay crunchy. The nuttiness adds a great contrast to the sweet, creamy mix.
# Notes:
01 -
Perfect for family gatherings, holiday dinners, or summer picnics—it’s always a crowd-pleaser!
02 -
For fun flavor spins, try using a seasonal Cool Whip variety—pumpkin spice or birthday cake work great!
03 -
This is a life-saver dish you can prep the night before. It keeps you relaxed when hosting meals!