Let me tell you about my family’s favorite summer lifesaver – this cherry pineapple fruit salad! As a mom constantly juggling soccer practices and playdates, I need recipes that are quick, refreshing, and guaranteed to make everyone smile. This no-fuss dessert comes together in minutes (plus some chilling time), and that sweet combination of cherries, pineapple, and fluffy marshmallows? Absolute magic. My kids call it “party in a bowl” because we bring it to every potluck and backyard barbecue. Trust me, once you try this cool, creamy treat, you’ll understand why it’s been my go-to for years when I need something delicious without the oven hassle.
Why You’ll Love This Cherry Pineapple Fruit Salad
Let me count the ways this sweet-tart fruit salad will become your new best friend in the kitchen:
- No oven required – When it’s 90 degrees outside, the last thing you want is to turn on the stove. This refreshing cherry pineapple fruit salad comes together with just a bowl and spoon.
- Kid-approved magic – Between the marshmallows and that pretty pink color, my picky eaters gobble this up like it’s candy (shh – I don’t tell them it’s technically fruit!).
- Potluck superstar – I’ve lost count of how many times neighbors have asked for this recipe after trying it at summer cookouts. That creamy Cool Whip cloud with bursts of juicy fruit? Always the first dish to disappear.
- Make-ahead dream – Prep it in the morning when you’re fresh, let it chill all day, and voila! Dessert is done before dinner even starts.
- Endlessly adaptable – Toss in coconut flakes, swap mandarins for peaches, or add a splash of lime zest. This forgiving recipe welcomes creativity.
Ingredients for Cherry Pineapple Fruit Salad
Here’s everything you’ll need for this cheerful bowl of fruity goodness – trust me, you might already have half these ingredients in your pantry right now! The canned fruit makes this recipe a breeze, but don’t skip draining them well (I learned that the soggy way once – oops).
- Canned fruit team: 1 (20 oz) can pineapple chunks (drained), 1 (11 oz) can mandarin oranges (drained), 1 (15 oz) can triple cherry or regular fruit cocktail (drained) – that syrup’s tasty but we don’t need the extra juice here
- Cherry superstars: 15 maraschino cherries without stems (halved), plus 3 pretty ones with stems for garnish
- Fluffy essentials: 2 cups mini marshmallows (the rainbow ones are fun for parties!), 2 cups Cool Whip (thawed – I leave mine out 10 minutes first so it folds in smoother)
See? No fancy ingredients – just simple, happy-making stuff. Now let’s turn this into magic!
How to Make Cherry Pineapple Fruit Salad
Okay, let’s get mixing! This fruit salad comes together in just a few simple steps, but trust me on the draining part – it makes all the difference between a refreshing treat and a sad, soupy mess (been there!). Here’s exactly how I make it:
Draining the Fruit
The secret to perfect texture starts right after opening those cans. Grab your strainer – I use a fine-mesh one – and dump in all the pineapple chunks, mandarin oranges, fruit cocktail, and those halved maraschino cherries. Let them sit for a good 2-3 hours; I usually do this in the morning if I’m serving it for dinner.
Pro tip from my many trial-and-error sessions: give the strainer a gentle shake every now and then to help those last stubborn droplets escape. You’ll be amazed how much extra juice comes out! Too much liquid = soggy marshmallows later, and nobody wants that.
Mixing and Garnishing
Once your fruit is nice and dry, transfer it to a big mixing bowl. Toss in those mini marshmallows – they’ll start soaking up any tiny bit of remaining juice (like little flavor sponges!). Now for the fun part: add the Cool Whip in big dollops, then use a rubber spatula to fold it gently through the fruit.
I swoop and lift rather than stir – you want to keep everything light and fluffy! Finally, top with those stemmed cherries – I like to arrange them in a cute star pattern. Pop it in the fridge for at least an hour before serving to let all those flavors get friendly. The wait is torture, but so worth it!
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Cherry Pineapple Fruit Salad Magic
A refreshing cherry pineapple fruit salad with marshmallows and Cool Whip, perfect for a quick dessert or side dish.
- Total Time: 3 hours 15 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
Ingredients
- 15 whole maraschino cherries (no stems)
- 1 can (20 ounces) pineapple chunks
- 1 can (11 ounces) mandarin orange slices
- 1 can (15 ounces) triple cherry or regular fruit cocktail
- 2 cups mini marshmallows
- 2 cups Cool Whip Topping
- 3 maraschino cherries with stems (for garnish)
Instructions
- Drain juice from the cans of fruit.
- Add pineapple, fruit cocktail, and mandarin oranges to a strainer.
- Cut cherries in half and add to the strainer.
- Let fruit drain for 2-3 hours to remove excess juice.
- Transfer fruit to a bowl and add marshmallows and Cool Whip.
- Gently blend in Cool Whip.
- Garnish with maraschino cherries.
- Serve chilled.
Notes
- Draining the fruit well prevents a soggy salad.
- For best flavor, refrigerate before serving.
- Adjust sweetness by adding more or fewer marshmallows.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No Cook
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 25g
- Sodium: 15mg
- Fat: 5g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 5mg
Tips for the Best Cherry Pineapple Fruit Salad
After making this salad more times than I can count (seriously, my kids request it weekly!), here are my foolproof tricks for perfection:
- Chill it like you mean it – That hour in the fridge isn’t just for show! The flavors meld beautifully, and the marshmallows turn delightfully pillowy.
- Sweetness control – If your fruit was extra tart, add 1/4 cup more marshmallows. Kids love it sweeter, but for adults, sometimes I’ll swap in plain Greek yogurt for half the Cool Whip.
- No leftover sogginess – Store any extra in an airtight container with paper towels layered on top – they’ll absorb excess moisture overnight.
Ingredient Substitutions & Variations
Don’t stress if you’re missing something – this cherry pineapple fruit salad welcomes all kinds of creative twists! Fresh pineapple works beautifully (just chop it small), and drained peaches or pears can stand in for mandarins. Out of Cool Whip? Plain Greek yogurt gives a lovely tang, or try whipped coconut cream for dairy-free. My neighbor swears by adding toasted coconut flakes, while my husband loves when I sneak in a handful of chopped pecans for crunch. The possibilities are endless!
Serving & Storing Cherry Pineapple Fruit Salad
This fruit salad shines when served ice-cold straight from the fridge – I like to scoop generous 1-cup portions into pretty bowls or martini glasses for parties. Leftovers? No problem! Just tuck them into an airtight container (I swear by glass ones) and they’ll stay fresh for 2-3 days in the fridge. The marshmallows might soften a bit, but the flavors actually deepen – if it lasts that long!
Cherry Pineapple Fruit Salad Nutrition Information
Okay, full transparency – this cherry pineapple fruit salad is a dessert, not health food! But here’s the nutritional breakdown per serving (about 1 cup) so you can enjoy it guilt-free. These are estimates since fruit sizes vary: roughly 180 calories, 25g sugar, and 5g fat per portion. The good news? You’re getting vitamin C from all that fruit! Just remember – life’s too short not to enjoy marshmallow-y treats sometimes.
FAQs About Cherry Pineapple Fruit Salad
Over the years, I’ve gotten so many questions about this beloved cherry pineapple fruit salad – here are the ones that pop up most often:
Can I use fresh pineapple instead of canned?
Absolutely! Fresh pineapple adds wonderful brightness – just chop it small (about 1/2-inch pieces) so it blends nicely with other ingredients. Pro tip: If your pineapple is extra juicy, let it drain with the other fruit or pat it dry with paper towels first.
How long does this fruit salad keep in the fridge?
In my experience, it stays perfect for 2-3 days stored airtight. The marshmallows soften over time but still taste amazing – the flavors actually deepen! Just give it a gentle stir before serving leftovers.
Can I make this recipe without Cool Whip?
Of course! Plain Greek yogurt works beautifully for a tangier twist (use about 1 1/2 cups). For dairy-free, whipped coconut cream is fantastic – just whip chilled coconut cream with a bit of powdered sugar until fluffy.
Why does my salad get watery?
Ah, the dreaded sogginess! This usually happens when fruit isn’t drained thoroughly. Those extra 2-3 hours of draining time make all the difference – trust me, it’s worth the wait for that perfect creamy texture.
Go ahead – give this cherry pineapple fruit salad a whirl this weekend and tell me how your family liked it in the comments below! Can’t wait to hear your twists on it. You can also find more recipes on our site.
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