Fruit Salad Dessert

Fruit salad dessert is an old classic that’s always on the sweet table come family gatherings and potlucks. It’s typically a favorite of grandmothers, and their recipe is usually top secret. Enter our take on the classic that bursts with vibrant colors and light, refreshing flavors. Each bite is a celebration, thanks to a combination of colorful fruits and the rich, creamy flavors of whipping cream and mini marshmallows.

Make this dessert fruit salad the next time you’re craving a little something sweet that’s light, fluffy and perfectly juicy. We promise it won’t disappoint (and feel free to share it with your grandma … we think she’ll be wowed too!).

Ingredients for Fruit Salad Dessert

• Egg: You’ll be creating a creamy pudding-like dressing; we recommend using a large egg.
• Sugar: Regular granulated sugar is best, but feel free to use coconut sugar for a richer, deeper flavor profile.
• Lemon juice: Bottled lemon juice is easiest, but for the freshest taste, squeeze a lemon just prior to making this dessert–you need only a tablespoon.
• Butter: Butter is vital for creating the creamy texture of the dressing.
• Fruit: For the most intense flavors, we recommend using pineapple chunks, green grapes and freshly-cut orange pieces.
• Mini marshmallows: Anything larger than mini marshmallows will be too awkward in the salad.
• Heavy whipping cream: You’ll be creating your own peaked whipped cream, but you can use canned whipped cream if you’re short on time.
• Confectioners’ sugar: Using confectioners’ sugar with heavy whipping cream creates a thicker, more peaked type of whipped cream that’s ideal for this fruit dessert recipe.

Directions

Step 1: Make the sauce

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In a small saucepan, combine the egg, sugar, lemon juice and butter. Cook and stir over low heat until thickened, five to seven minutes. Set aside to cool.

Step 2: Prepare the fruit

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While the sauce is cooling, combine the pineapple, grapes, oranges and marshmallows in a small bowl; set aside.

Step 3: Make the whipped cream; combine the salad ingredients

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In a small bowl or stand mixer, beat together the cream and confectioners’ sugar until soft peaks form. Fold the whipped cream into the fruit mixture, and then add the cooled dressing. Cover the bowl securely with storage wrap and place it in the fridge. Allow it to chill for at least one hour. Serve.

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Recipe Variations

• Swap out the fruit: Use fresh berries, such as blueberries, raspberries, blackberries and strawberries. Banana, strawberries and melon are also delicious, and a mango (especially when they’re in season!) is extra flavorful.
• Make it vegan: Replace the butter with vegan butter and the marshmallows with vegan marshmallows, then use chilled full-fat coconut milk in place of the heavy whipping cream (skim the fat off the top and save the liquid for something else) for a vegan dessert.

How to Store Fruit Salad Dessert

Store any leftovers in the fridge by tightly wrapping the top of the bowl in storage wrap. It’ll last this way for about a day. This recipe is really best enjoyed within the day that you make it.

Can you make fruit salad dessert ahead of time?

While it’s nice to prep this dessert ahead, fruit salad is actually best when enjoyed within a few hours of making it. You want it to be chilled but not sitting for a few days before serving. We recommend making it ahead of time by preparing it in the morning, allowing it to chill and then serving it a few hours later.

Fruit Salad Dessert Tips

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Why is my fruit salad separating?

When you make this dessert and allow it to sit for too long, it can separate. If you know it’ll be sitting for awhile, add 1 teaspoon instant vanilla pudding and 1 tablespoon confectioners’ sugar, mixed together well, which will result in a whipped topping that’ll resist separating. Additionally, using confectioners’ sugar is partially what makes this recipe not separate. If you’re still having issues, make sure that you’ve completely drained the fruit (specifically the pineapple) prior to adding it to the salad.

Can I use premade whipped products?

While it won’t be the same as this delightfully decadent dessert, you can use a premade whipped product, such as Cool Whip or whipped cream in a can. You’ll essentially make the sauce and then fold the fruit directly into the whipped topping, skipping the entire process for making your own whipped cream.

What other variations work well in place of the whipping cream?

Other favorite variations on this recipe include a fruit and jello recipe, a fruit in pudding recipe and a red, white and blue salad that’s perfect for Independence Day parties.