Easy Fruit Salad with Cool Whip
Creamy from the Cool Whip and pudding, this fruit salad using fruit cocktail, pineapple and mandarin oranges can be mixed up in just five minutes.
Cool and refreshing on a hot day, this is a light and enjoyable side dish or treat that is easy enough for anyone to make.
Recipe For Fruit Salad with Cool Whip
Whether we’re beating the summer heat or craving a light dessert anytime of the year, this Cool Whip fruit salad recipe is a keeper!
Our family tends to favor a simple Fruit Salad without any toppings, but I’m glad we tried this creamy combination with canned fruit.
We tested the recipe with instant vanilla pudding and instant lemon pudding. If you enjoy lemon you’ll prefer that option. For a more basic option with broad appeal use the vanilla pudding.
Similar to the ingredients in our Frozen Fruit Salad Recipe, but not as tangy and unique as our Classic Ambrosia Fruit Salad, we like having several fruit salad recipes.
Ingredients Needed
- Pineapple Tidbits – a large can in natural juice works best to activate the pudding. Crushed pineapple also works.
- Instant Pudding – a small box of vanilla is our favorite, but of our testers the lemon lovers prefer lemon pudding.
- Can of Fruit Cocktail – drained. A substitute is 1 to 1 1/2 cups of chopped fresh strawberries, bananas and/or grapes.
- Mandarin Oranges – drain the can, the juice is not needed.
- Cool Whip – the namesake of this creamy fruit salad recipe!
Using Fresh Fruit
Incorporate 1 1/2 cups of fresh chopped fruit like strawberries and bananas in place of the canned fruit cocktail for another variation of Cool Whip Fruit Salad.
Step By Step Instructions
In a medium sized mixing bowl whisk the instant pudding into the full can of pineapple with juice.
Chill and let set up for about 15 minutes.
Then stir in remaining DRAINED fruit.
Fold in thawed Cool Whip and chill through before serving.
Recipe Tips and Tricks
- Chills fastest in a 13x9x2 inch pan
- Instant vanilla and instant lemon pudding both work well
- Can sprinkle up to 1/2 cup chopped pecans on top if desired
- Tastes great with slices of fresh strawberries or banana stirred inStore tightly covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
More Creamy and Delicious Recipes
- No Bake Cheesecake for a Crowd
- Creamy Banana Pudding
- Creamy Italian Chicken and Pasta Skillet
- Cucumber Mayo Salad
- Pineapple Cottage Cheese Salad
- Mocha Pudding Cake
Fruit Salad with Cool Whip
Ingredients
- 20 ounce can pineapple tidbits undrained
- 3 ounce box instant vanilla pudding or lemon pudding
- 15 ounce can fruit cocktail drained
- 15 ounce can mandarin oranges drained
- 8 ounces Cool Whip defrosted
Instructions
- In a medium sized mixing bowl stir together pineapple with juice and the instant pudding. Chill for 15 minutes.20 ounce can pineapple tidbits, 3 ounce box instant vanilla pudding
- Drain fruit cocktail and oranges. Add to pineapple mixture and stir well.15 ounce can fruit cocktail, 15 ounce can mandarin oranges
- Fold in Cool Whip and chill.8 ounces Cool Whip
Notes
- Chills fastest in a 13x9x2 inch pan
- Instant vanilla and instant lemon pudding both work well
- Can sprinkle up to 1/2 cup chopped pecans on top if desired
- Tastes great with slices of fresh strawberries or banana stirred in
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I make a version of this salad using pistachio pudding. I leave out the pineapple and add sliced bananas. During the season I add few cut up strawberries. For a party I add mini marshmallows.
I add marshmellow and bananas. I’ve never tried putting pudding
.what does the pudding to the salad..