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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!
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.Â
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.
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 cocktailÂ
- 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!
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!
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.
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.
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!
Marshmallow Fruit Salad
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
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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!
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A special thank you to my little assistants for helping out today! Recipe was published in 2015 and updated in 2022.
I make a similar recipe, but I take the syrup from the fruit salad and mix it with Jello gelatin. Then I mix in the whipped topping, then the marshmallows and fruit. I also add in chopped walnuts or pecans. I usually use strawberry Jello so my kids call ot "pink stuff"! It's a family favorite!
This was one of my favorite desserts growing up and yours looks so yummy! Thank yopu for joining us today at Making Memories Mondays, so glad that you came! 🙂
Cathy@ three kids and a fish
I love this Fruit Salad, it looks awesome! Happy St. Patrick's Day and thanks so much for sharing with Full Plate Thursday!
Miz Helen
Thanks so much, Barbara! It wouldn't be Easter dinner at our house without it! 🙂
This recipe brings back so many memories for me. I love that you used the pretty pastel marshmallows, perfect for the spring and Easter time. I may just have to bring this to my hub's family Easter brunch. Thank you for sharing at SYS!
XO Barbara
Oh, your sour cream version sounds good! I'll have to try that sometime. 🙂
Oh my, haven't thought about this recipe in years! It use to be a staple whenever we had ham for a meal — kind of offset the saltiness of the pork; except my recipe used sour cream instead of the whipped topping and the fat-free version was just fine. Glad to see this oldie has stood the test of time!
Thanks, Laurie! My assistants are awesome! 🙂
Thanks, Laurie! My assistants are awesome! 🙂
I guess it's one of those recipes that's been around for a long time. Thanks so much for stopping by and pinning!