This Creamy Fruit Salad is like summer in a bowl! Juicy mandarin oranges, sweet red grapes, fluffy marshmallows, and creamy Cool Whip all come together in this easy, crowd-pleasing dessert salad. It’s a little sweet, a little tangy, and 100% delicious. Perfect for BBQs, potlucks, or even as a quick treat for your family.

The best part? It takes just minutes to make! Dump all the ingredients into a bowl, give it a stir, and you’re done. It’s so simple, it almost feels like cheating—but when you taste it, you’ll see why it’s always a hit.

Looking for more fruit salads? You might also like this Cherry Salad, another creamy fruit salad packed with cherries and Cool Whip, or this delightfully green Fruit Cocktail Dessert with Pistachio pudding and pineapple bits.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Feeds a Crowd: Great for family gatherings, parties, or potlucks.
Doubles as Dessert: Sweet and creamy, it’s the perfect way to end a meal.
Quick and Easy: Ready in just 5 minutes—perfect for last-minute plans.
Customizable: Swap in your favorite fruits to make it your own.
Kid-Friendly: Those mini marshmallows are always a hit!

Ingredients

The full printable recipe card with measurements and instructions is found at the bottom of the post.

Cool Whip: Gives the salad its signature fluffy texture. Can’t find it? Make your own stabilized whipped cream!
Sour Cream: Balances the sweetness with a little tang.
Shredded Coconut: Adds texture and a tropical twist. Use sweetened or unsweetened—your choice!
Mandarin Oranges: Adds bright color and juicy sweetness.
Red Grapes: A fresh pop of flavor and perfect for summer.
Mini Marshmallows: Sweet, fluffy bites that make this salad extra fun.

How to Make Creamy Fruit Salad

Follow along to learn how to make creamy fruit salad!

Step One: Add all ingredients in a large bowl and stir to combine.
Step Two: Refrigerate until ready to serve.

Collage of mixing the ingredients in a bowl.

What to Serve with It

While this salad is a showstopper on its own, it pairs perfectly with these summer favorites:

Angel Food Cake: Serve the salad over a slice for a fun dessert twist.
Grilled Chicken: Try it with Maple Dijon Grilled Chicken.
Grilled Veggies: Balances out the sweetness with savory dishes like Grilled Zucchini or Grilled Sesame Shrimp and Veggies.
Pasta Salad: Creamy salads like Italian Pasta Salad complement this sweet side perfectly.

Variations and Substitutions

Healthier Version: Swap the sour cream for Greek yogurt for a lighter twist.
Switch Up the Fruit: Don’t like grapes or mandarin oranges? Add fresh berries, canned pineapple, or even a fruit cocktail. Avoid overly juicy fruits like watermelon or grapefruit.
Go Coconut-Free: If you’re not a fan of coconut, just skip it! The salad is still delicious.

Storage Instructions

Refrigerator: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Make Ahead: This salad tastes even better when it has time to sit, so feel free to make it the night before your event.

Recipe Tips and Tricks

Extra Garnish: Top with fanned mandarin slices, toasted coconut, or a dollop of whipped cream for a fancy touch.
Drain the Oranges: Make sure to drain the mandarin oranges really well to avoid a watery salad.

Is It the Same as Ambrosia Salad?

Not quite! While both are creamy fruit salads, ambrosia usually includes pineapple, maraschino cherries, and sometimes a sour cream or yogurt base.

Dessert Recipes

You’ll also like this Banana Pudding Fluff, Strawberry Cheesecake Fluff, Berry Cheesecake Fluff, Lemon Blueberry Fluff, Tropical Fluff Salad, Rocky Road Fluff, Strawberry Pretzel Salad, Strawberry Fluff Salad, Grape Salad, Sunshine Salad or Snickers Salad.

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Rate this Recipe

4.58 from 7 votes