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    Home » Recipes » Recipes

    Fruit Salad with Cool Whip

    Published: Apr 4, 2023 by Cara Lanz · As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

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    small white bowl of cool whip fruit salad with larger bowl of salad in background
    small white bowl of cool whip fruit salad with larger bowl of salad in background
    fruit salad recipe with cool whip topped with coconut and pecans in a white bowl
    fruit salad recipe with cool whip topped with coconut and pecans and fruit in a white bowl

    Fruit Salad with Cool Whip and pudding is a light and refreshing fresh fruit salad in a creamy Cool Whip dressing that stirs together in minutes. Easy recipe to customize to your liking -- perfect for your next family gathering or special occasion.

    fruit salad recipe with cool whip topped with coconut and pecans in a white bowl

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    Jump to:
    • Why You're Going to Love This Recipe
    • Ingredients
    • Recipe Variations
    • Step-by-Step Instructions
    • Storage
    • Success Tips
    • FAQs
    • Delicious No Bake Desserts
    • 💌Let's Stay in Touch
    • 📖 Recipe

    Cool Whip Fruit Salad is the best fruit salad ever.

    And by salad, I mean salad-slash-dessert-- the kind that's a staple at summer picnics, church potlucks, and holiday meals here in the Midwest.

    This traditional fruit salad with Cool Whip may not technically be an ambrosia fruit salad, but I think it could definitely be classified as a "food of the gods."

    The mixture of delicious fruity flavors and textures and the sweet mandarin orange dressing is heavenly. Toasted coconut and pecans add nutty flavor and crunchy texture -- but they're totally optional if you're not into crunchy stuff in your fruit salad (I get it!).

    The best part? This Cool Whip fruit salad recipe can easily live in harmony on the salad table next to the Tuna Macaroni Salad and English Pea Salad OR the dessert table with the Hello Dolly Bars and Coconut Dream Bars.

    Why You're Going to Love This Recipe

    Cool and creamy fruit salad, perfect for cooling off in the hot summer months

    Easy dessert salad recipe with simple ingredients

    Versatile recipe to customize with different fruit and pudding flavors

    Refreshing and light dessert salad (yes, that's a thing, lol)

    Ingredients

    fruit salad recipe with cool whip ingredients

    Mandarin oranges. One 15 oz. can of mandarin oranges in water (usually labeled "no sugar added') mixes with the vanilla pudding mix and Cool Whip for the yummiest fruit salad dressing ever.

    Instant vanilla pudding mix. You can use vanilla or French vanilla instant pudding mix. Be sure to use instant pudding -- cook-and-serve pudding won't set up. It's hard to tell all the boxes apart, so just remember that cook & serve pudding has a spoon on the box.

    Fresh fruit. I chose green grapes, strawberries, and blueberries. You can use your favorite fresh fruit.

    Canned pineapple. Fresh pineapple isn't recommended because it contains an enzyme that can affect the flavor and texture. Besides, who wants to break down a whole pineapple anyway?

    Toasted coconut flakes. You can use regular coconut, but if you have a few minutes to toast the coconut, it's totally worth it.

    Pecans. Toasted pecans add a crunchy element to the otherwise creamy vanilla pudding fruit salad.

    Recipe Variations

    Crushed pineapple. You can also mix the dry pudding mix into a can of crushed pineapple.

    Instant pudding. Cheesecake or white chocolate pudding would also be delicious!

    Fruit. Use your favorite fresh fruit or berries like bananas, kiwi, or raspberries, or drained canned fruit like peaches, maraschino cherries, or fruit cocktail salad.

    Whipped topping. If you're not into Cool Whip, give Truwhip a try! Fresh whipped cream would also work -- just be sure to serve it right away or it can get runny.

    Marshmallows. Go ahead and add some mini marshmallows!

    Coconut. If you're not into coconut, leave it out.

    Nuts. Use your favorite nuts like pistachios, walnuts, or almonds. Or skip them if you don't like nuts in salads.

    Step-by-Step Instructions

    1. Toast the pecans (if using, optional).

    Warm a heavy skillet over medium heat. Add the pecans. Stir for 2-5 minutes until the pecans are fragrant and lightly toasted. Immediately remove from the heat and place on a cutting board or plate.

    2. Toast the coconut (if using, optional).

    Warm a dry skillet over medium heat. Add the coconut and reduce the heat to medium-low. Stir for 3-4 minutes until the coconut is lightly toasted. Immediately remove from the heat and place on a cool plate.

    3. Make the fruit salad dressing.

    In a large bowl, whisk the undrained oranges and water with the dry instant pudding mix until combined.

    oranges and pudding mix in a white mixing bowl

    Fold in the Cool Whip.

    orange pudding Cool whip mixture in white mixing bowl

    4. Assemble the salad.

    Stir in the grapes, blueberries, strawberries, drained can of pineapple tidbits, and coconut and pecans if using.

    fruit salad recipe with cool whip ingredients in white mixing bowl

    Cover with plastic wrap and chill for one hour.

    5. Serve and enjoy!

    Serve with additional coconut, pecans, and fruit.

    fruit salad recipe with cool whip topped with coconut and pecans and fruit in a white bowl

    This salad is best enjoyed the same day it is made.

    small white bowl of cool whip fruit salad with larger bowl of salad in background

    Storage

    Store leftover fruit salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

    After a day or so, the fruit will start to soften and release juices. The salad will still be very delicious, it just have a thinner consistency.

    Success Tips

    You don't have to toast the coconut and pecans, but it's definitely worth the time!

    Customize with your favorite fruits or what's in season. Peaches, raspberries, kiwi, blackberries, bananas, or apples would all be delicious.

    To make ahead of time, prep the fruit, toasted coconut, and toasted pecans, and store them in individual containers. The day of, make the dressing and stir everything together.

    FAQs

    What is Cool Whip fruit salad?

    This Jello fruit salad with Cool Whip is a classic fruit salad recipe made by mixing a variety of fresh fruits with a mixture of instant pudding mix, mandarin oranges, and Cool Whip.

    What fruits can I use in fruit salad with whipped cream?

    This is such an easy fruit salad recipe to customize -- you can use any combination of fruits you like.

    Popular choices include fresh strawberries, blueberries, grapes, raspberries, and bananas. Fresh pineapple is not recommended because it contains an enzyme that can affect the flavor and texture.

    You can also make this fruit salad with canned fruit, just be sure to drain it well first.

    Can I use homemade whipped cream instead of Cool Whip?

    Yes, you can use homemade whipped cream instead of Cool Whip. However, keep in mind that the texture of the salad may be slightly different.

    Can I make fruit salad with Cool Whip and Jello ahead of time?

    Yes, you can make this salad several hours in advance.

    The best way to make it a day ahead of time is to prepare the fruit, toasted coconut, and toasted pecans and store them in separate containers. The next day, just make the dressing and stir everything together.

    fruit salad recipe with cool whip topped with coconut and pecans in a white bowl

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    📖 Recipe

    fruit salad recipe with cool whip topped with coconut and pecans in a white bowl

    Fruit Salad with Cool Whip

    Cara Lanz
    Fruit Salad with Cool Whip is a light and refreshing fresh fruit salad packed with a colorful array of fresh fruits in a creamy Cool Whip dressing. Easy recipe to customize to your liking, perfect for your next family gathering or special occasion.
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save Recipe Saved Recipe!
    Prep Time 20 minutes mins
    Chill Time 1 hour hr
    Total Time 1 hour hr 20 minutes mins
    Course Salad, Side Dish, Snack
    Cuisine American
    Servings 12
    Calories 198 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 15 oz. can mandarin oranges in water, undrained
    • 1 3.4 oz. box instant vanilla pudding (4 serving size)
    • 8 oz. Cool Whip
    • 2 cups green grapes, halved
    • 2 cups blueberries
    • 2 cups strawberries, sliced
    • 20 oz. can pineapple tidbits, drained
    • ½ cup coconut flakes
    • ½ cup pecans
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions
     

    • Toast the pecans. Warm a dry skillet over medium heat. Add the pecans. Stir for 2-5 minutes until the pecans are fragrant and lightly toasted. Immediately remove from the heat and place on a cutting board or plate.
    • Toast the coconut. Warm a dry skillet over medium heat. Add the coconut and reduce the heat to medium-low. Stir for 3-4 minutes until the coconut is lightly toasted. Immediately remove from the heat and place on a cool plate.
    • In a large mixing bowl, whisk the undrained oranges in water with the dry instant pudding mix until combined. Fold in the Cool Whip.
    • Stir in the grapes, blueberries, strawberries, drained pineapple, coconut, and pecans.
    • Chill for one hour. Serve with additional coconut, pecans, and fruit.
      This salad is best enjoyed the same day it is made.

    Notes

    You don't have to toast the coconut and pecans, but the additional flavor is definitely worth the time!
    Customize with your favorite fruits or what's in season. Peaches, raspberries, kiwi, blackberries, bananas, or apples would all be delicious.

    STORAGE

    Store leftover fruit salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
    After a day or so, the fruit will start to soften and release juices. The salad will still be very delicious, it just have a thinner consistency.

    MAKE AHEAD

    You can make Cool Whip fruit salad up to 4-6 hours in advance.
    To make a day ahead of time, prep the fruit, toasted coconut, and toasted pecans, and store them in individual containers. The next day, make the dressing, stir everything together, chill, and serve. 

    Nutrition

    Calories: 198kcalCarbohydrates: 35gProtein: 2gFat: 7gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 0.4mgSodium: 78mgPotassium: 261mgFiber: 3gSugar: 29gVitamin A: 538IUVitamin C: 34mgCalcium: 37mgIron: 1mg
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    Hi, I'm Cara!

    I love sharing easy, delicious everyday recipes from the heartland.

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