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This easy Marshmallow Fruit Salad recipe with Cool Whip is a simple side dish made with fruit cocktail, marshmallows and whipped topping. Just 3 ingredients! This easy recipe is on the menu for every special occasion and family gathering and kids can make it.
I’m sharing some of our favorite holiday side dishes, and this easy recipe for Marshmallow Fruit Salad with Cool Whip and fruit cocktail will definitely be on the menu.
Fruit salad with marshmallows is the perfect side dish — or dessert, due to its sweetness — 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.
Ingredients
You only need 3 ingredients for this marshmallow salad. Full amounts are in the printable recipe card below.
- Can mixed fruit cocktail
- Cool Whip whipped topping — or any brand of whipped topping, thawed. You can use whipped cream, but the salad won’t be as fluffy
- 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! 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.
Variations
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. A banana, pineapple tidbits and mandarin oranges are great additions!
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 the salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator. 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 Tip
Thaw the whipped topping in the fridge before using.
Be sure to drain the cans of fruit before adding the topping. Otherwise the salad will be soggy.
More Dessert Salads
For more vintage salads, try my Strawberry Banana Cheesecake Salad or Strawberry Pretzel Salad or Strawberry Jello Salad or this similar Orange Jello Salad or Lime Jello Salad or this fluffy Pistachio Salad — sometimes called Watergate salad next.
Marshmallow Fruit Salad
Ingredients
- 2 15-oz cans mixed fruit cocktail drained
- 1 8-ounce container of Cool Whip whipped topping thawed
- 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.
A special thank you to my little assistants for helping out today! For more easy recipes, subscribe to the newsletter and follow me on social media.
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!
Yes! Can’t wait to enjoy this on Christmas!
Do I use two big cans of mixed fruit or two small cans
We use 2 15-ounce cans of fruit.
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.
Family recipes are the best! It wouldn’t be Thanksgiving without this one! 🙂
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.
You’re very welcome! My kids love this during the holidays. 🙂
Love this recipe it’s quick easy tasty and family loves it
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.
Those sound like great additions. I’ll have to try that next time. 🙂
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.
That version sounds so good, Debra. Thanks for sharing!
Awesome! Last question. Can I make this a day ahead?
I usually use 2 15-oz cans of fruit, but you could add the larger cans and just add more whipped topping. 🙂
This looks so good! What size are the cans of fruit?
Ooh, I like the sound of that! Thanks for sharing your recipe — I'll have to try it next time. 🙂