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    Meals » Recipes » Side Dishes

    Marshmallow Fruit Salad with Cool Whip

    This post may contain affiliate links. Please see disclosure for more information. Published: Apr 5, 2022 by Dee

    This easy Marshmallow Fruit Salad recipe with Cool Whip is an easy fruit salad made with fruit cocktail and whipped topping. Just 3 ingredients! This easy recipe is on the menu for every special occasion and family gathering, and even Kids can make it! via @meamel

    This easy Marshmallow Fruit Salad recipe with Cool Whip is an easy fruit salad made with fruit cocktail and whipped topping. Just 3 ingredients! This easy recipe is on the menu for every special occasion and family gathering, and even kids can make it!

    Jump to Recipe -
    fruit salad recipe with cool whip and cherry in white dish on the table

    I'm sharing some of our favorite holiday side dishes, and this easy Marshmallow Fruit Salad recipe with Cool Whip and fruit cocktail will definitely be on the menu.

    It's the perfect side dish, and the kids say it wouldn't be a holiday dinner without it!

    I started making this Cool Whip fruit salad recipe when my oldest baby was little because she used to be a super picky eater. So, it gave her something to enjoy at family gatherings. 

    Even today, she still prefers this fruit cocktail salad over potato salad or ambrosia fruit salad with sour cream and coconut flakes. So do the other kids!

    Since this old fashioned recipe is about the easiest side salad ever, I leave the preparation up to the kiddos! They will happily walk you through the recipe and give you expert tips.

    cool whip and mini marshmallows and fruit cocktail on the table

    Ingredients

    You only need 3 ingredients for this fruit salad recipe with cool whip. You can find them in most grocery stores if you don't have these pantry staples:

    • Can mixed fruit cocktail 
    • Cool Whip whipped topping -- or any whipped topping, thawed
    • Miniature marshmallows

    How to Make Marshmallow Fruit Salad

    First, drain the canned fruit, and pour it into a large bowl. Then, fold in the whipped topping, using a spatula.

    Make sure it doesn't get all over the outside of the bowl. By the way, make sure the Cool Whip is thawed!

    pour canned mixed fruit in a bowl with cool whip

    Next, add the mini marshmallows. Stir until all of the ingredients are mixed well.

    Try not to eat too many marshmallows while you make this. And, avoid throwing them at your assistant!

    mini pastel marsmallows with mixed fruit cocktail and cool whip in a bowl

    Smooth the whipped topping so that it's even. You can add more marshmallows and some colored sugar sprinkles over the top so that it looks nice and pretty.

    Don't forget to share some of this creamy fruit salad with your assistant. And, always leave some for your family and guests!

    For Christmas, we add red or green colored sugar. For Easter, we add pastel colors.

    marshmallow fruit salad with cool whip and maraschino cherry on top in sundae dish

    Isn't this the easiest 3 ingredient side salad ever?! I like to think that since it contains fruit, it's on the healthy side. Of course if you're looking for a fresh fruit salad, Summer Fruit Salad and Watermelon, Feta and Blueberry Salad are healthier!

    We serve this simple side dish at Christmas, Thanksgiving, Easter and the Fourth of July. It's also very popular at potlucks, along with Strawberry Jello Salad, Orange Jello Salad, Lime Jello Salad and Pistachio Salad -- Watergate salad.

    Variations

    There are a couple ways to customize this delicious fruit salad!

    First, feel free to add your favorite fruits. I like to choose fruit cocktail blends that include maraschino cherries, but you can have whatever different fruit you want. Pineapple tidbits and mandarin oranges are great additions!

    This marshmallow ambrosia recipe is designed to be easy, but you can add fresh fruit if you desire! Try some fresh berries, blueberries, fresh pineapple, and even kiwi chunks for some extra fruit flavor.

    Use plain marshmallows or pastel colored ones.

    Top your creamy fruit salad with sprinkles for different seasons. We like to do red and green sprinkles for the holidays, pastel sprinkles for Easter and generic rainbow sprinkles for birthdays.

    bowl of fruit salad and fruit salad on a plate with marshmallows

    How to Store

    You can store marshmallow fruit salad in an airtight container in the fridge. Or cover the bowl with plastic wrap.

    Cool Whip salad keeps well for about 2 days before it starts to get soggy. But around here, leftovers don't last long!

    Recipe

    marshmallow fruit salad with cool whip and maraschino cherry in a dish

    Marshmallow Fruit Salad

    Published by Dee
    Easy Marshmallow Fruit Salad with Cool Whip is light, fluffy and on the menu for every holiday. Kids can make this simple 3 ingredient recipe with whipped topping, canned fruit and mini marshmallows.
    5 from 4 votes
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    Prevent your screen from going dark
    Prep Time 10 minutes mins
    Total Time 10 minutes mins
    Course Salad
    Cuisine American
    Servings 12 people
    Calories 27 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 2 15-oz cans mixed fruit cocktail drained
    • 1 8-ounce container of Cool Whip whipped topping
    • 2 cups mini marshmallows

    Instructions
     

    • Add the drained fruit to a large mixing bowl
    • Stir in the whipped topping or whipped cream
    • Fold in the marshmallows, and smooth top of salad with spatula. Cover, and refrigerate until ready to serve

    Video

    Notes

    You can use any brand of non dairy whipped topping. 
    Use colored mini marshmallows or regular mini marshmallows.

    Nutrition information is estimated. Please do your own calculation to fit special diets.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 27kcalCarbohydrates: 7gProtein: 1gFat: 1gSaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 1mgSodium: 7mgSugar: 5gIron: 1mg
    Tried this recipe? Please comment and rate it! Show me your dish on Instagram!Mention @meatloafandmelodrama or tag #meatloafandmelodrama!

    With the sweetness of the fruit and creamy Cool Whip, this fruit salad with whipped cream is a great recipe for summer months, church potlucks, and any day of the week!

    Marshmallow fruit salad with Cool Whip is one of our family favorites, and we hope you love it too!

    For more easy dessert salad recipes, no bake desserts, and favorite recipes the entire family will love, subscribe to the newsletter and follow me on social media

    A special thank you to my little assistants for helping out today! Recipe was published in 2015 and updated in 2022.

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    Reader Interactions

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Doris says

      December 17, 2022 at 2:20 pm

      This is a holiday comfort food for me! My grandma made it for every holiday and now I make it.

      Reply
    2. Jim says

      December 23, 2020 at 1:06 pm

      Found this recipe last Christmas and have been making it for every holiday since. This year the kids are doing all by themselves. Another family favorite!5 stars

      Reply
      • Dee says

        December 26, 2020 at 5:37 pm

        Thanks, Jim! I'm glad you like the salad!

    3. Kelley says

      April 11, 2020 at 12:20 pm

      Easter is tomorrow,and I have all I need except for the energy. I haven't been feeling well (chronic nausea),but i know i need to push thru and do what needs to be done.My 3 deserts for Easter are rice crispy cereal with sprinkles,box carrot cake,and fruit salad which was last minute,which I didnt have a lot of ingredients for.I went looking on Pintrest,and luckily found yours.Everything I have. Will make tomorrow or today,let you know how it turns out,thanks

      Reply
      • Dee says

        April 13, 2020 at 9:02 pm

        I hope you liked it, Kelley. My kids made it again this year -- It's tradition!

    4. Letissia says

      December 22, 2019 at 8:57 pm

      Try adding coconut, cherries, pecans and cream cheese it is a bomb!!

      Reply
      • Dee says

        December 23, 2019 at 5:32 pm

        Thanks for the tip -- I need to try this!

    5. Sophia Scala says

      December 22, 2019 at 1:08 pm

      My mom made this for me growing up and I'm still making it and im in my 40's now with my family I'm making this fresh with real whipped cream!Very delicious!Can't wait!

      Reply
      • Dee says

        December 23, 2019 at 5:33 pm

        Yes! Can't wait to enjoy this on Christmas!

    6. Sierra Murillo says

      November 28, 2019 at 9:05 am

      Do I use two big cans of mixed fruit or two small cans

      Reply
      • Dee says

        November 30, 2019 at 11:54 pm

        We use 2 15-ounce cans of fruit.

    7. Arlene Gregoire says

      November 23, 2019 at 7:18 pm

      This "salad" is mandatory at every Thanksgiving dinner. We call it Grandma Rie's salad. She was actually my Great-grand mother, so this has been in the family since forever.5 stars

      Reply
      • Dee says

        November 25, 2019 at 9:40 am

        Family recipes are the best! It wouldn't be Thanksgiving without this one! 🙂

    8. Nancy says

      January 05, 2019 at 11:00 am

      Used to make this year's ago but now couldn't remember the recipe. We used to make a round jelly mold - usually red and put this in the centre. Looks awesome and tastes delicious. Thanks for posting.

      Reply
      • Dee says

        January 06, 2019 at 11:53 am

        You're very welcome! My kids love this during the holidays. 🙂

    9. Star McCowan says

      December 24, 2018 at 12:54 pm

      Love this recipe it’s quick easy tasty and family loves it5 stars

      Reply
    10. alyssa says

      March 12, 2016 at 6:17 pm

      We make this on Easter and other events as well. We sometimes like to add extra maraschino cherries. We also add in pecans or walnuts and shredded coconut.

      Reply
      • Dee says

        March 13, 2016 at 12:57 am

        Those sound like great additions. I'll have to try that next time. 🙂

      • Debra Smith says

        November 05, 2018 at 9:46 am

        Easy, I remember my mom making this when I was growing up, I like making this with fresh fruits, also had sweet apple, and walnuts, add some coconut also.5 stars

      • Dee says

        November 06, 2018 at 9:49 pm

        That version sounds so good, Debra. Thanks for sharing!

    11. Anonymous says

      December 26, 2015 at 1:50 am

      Awesome! Last question. Can I make this a day ahead?

      Reply
    12. Dee M says

      December 22, 2015 at 11:09 pm

      I usually use 2 15-oz cans of fruit, but you could add the larger cans and just add more whipped topping. 🙂

      Reply
    13. Anonymous says

      December 22, 2015 at 10:52 pm

      This looks so good! What size are the cans of fruit?

      Reply
    14. Dee M says

      March 21, 2015 at 4:29 am

      Ooh, I like the sound of that! Thanks for sharing your recipe -- I'll have to try it next time. 🙂

      Reply
    « Older Comments

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    I’m the blogger, chief cook, recipe developer and photographer behind Meatloaf and Melodrama. I absolutely love to create easy, budget-friendly, homemade meals and treats for my family. I also love to think of new ways to repurpose leftovers so that my family will actually eat them!

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