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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.
So easy even a Dad can make this with the kid. It is their favorite and mine too!
Hello – I love that this is so simple. I used a non-dairy whipped topping then added some crushed pineapple and maraschino cherries. I love it! Especially the marshmallows. 😁Thanks for sharing!
Love this recipe: Used to make this all of the time when the kids were little! This will never grow old! And so easy to make too!
This is a holiday comfort food for me! My grandma made it for every holiday and now I make it.
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!
Thanks, Jim! I’m glad you like the salad!
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
I hope you liked it, Kelley. My kids made it again this year — It’s tradition!
Try adding coconut, cherries, pecans and cream cheese it is a bomb!!
Thanks for the tip — I need to try this!