Name: Fruit Salad with Cool Whip
Prep time: 5 min
Total time: 5 min
Yield: 6 Servings
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 20 ounces Pineapple tidbits with juice; 3.4 ounces Instant vanilla pudding; 15 ounces Fruit cocktail; 15 ounces Pear halves; 10.5 ounces Mandarin oranges; 6 ounces Maraschino cherries, stemless; 2 cups Mini marshmallows; 8 ounces Whipped Topping

My Fruit salad with Cool Whip is a quick and creamy classic that’s perfect for any gathering or just a sweet treat at home. This no-bake dessert comes together in minutes. It tastes like a nostalgic scoop of sunshine—marshmallows, juicy fruit, and whipped topping in every bite. If you’re looking for a foolproof, family-friendly dessert, this one’s a keeper.

Dessert

5 m

American

It is a Keeper

March 11, 2026

Itisakeeper.com

From the Cook

1/4

Fruit Salad with Cool Whip

It is a Keeper Verified

Itisakeeper.com

Ingredients

Warning0 allergens identified

Fruit Salad with Cool Whip

20 ounces Pineapple tidbits with juice

3 ⅓ ounces Instant vanilla pudding

15 ounces Fruit cocktaildrained

15 ounces Pear halvesdrained and chopped

10 ½ ounces Mandarin orangesdrained

6 ounces Maraschino cherries, stemlesshalved

2 cups Mini marshmallows

8 ounces Whipped Toppingthawed

Instructions

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Instructions

Drain the pineapple juice into a large bowl. Set aside.

Add the pudding mix to the pineapple juice and stir until completely combined.

Add the pineapple, drained fruit cocktail, mandarin oranges, pears and halved cherries to the pudding mixture. Stir to combine.

Add the marshmallows and Cool Whip. Fold until everything is completely combined.

Refrigerate for 1 hour before serving.

Nutrition

My Calorie Intake

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Tips & Tricks (5)

Drain Canned Fruits Strategically 🥫
Reserve the pineapple juice to mix with instant pudding instead of milk—this intensifies flavor and prevents excess liquid from making the salad watery.
Chill All Ingredients Beforehand ❄️
Keep your Cool Whip, canned fruits, and mixing bowl refrigerated for at least 2 hours before assembly to maintain the salad's creamy texture and prevent the whipped topping from deflating.
Fold Gently, Don't Stir 🍴
Use a rubber spatula and fold ingredients together with a gentle hand rather than stirring—this preserves the airy texture of Cool Whip and prevents marshmallows from breaking apart.
Add Marshmallows Last Minute 🍨
Fold in mini marshmallows just before serving to prevent them from absorbing moisture and becoming dense, keeping them light and pillowy throughout the dessert.
Use Fresh Maraschino Cherries for Garnish 🍒
Reserve a handful of cherries to place on top just before serving for visual appeal and a burst of bright color, rather than mixing all throughout where they'll blend into the background.