Name: Fruit Salad with Cool Whip
Yield: 8 servings
Ingredients: 2 15 ounce cans mixed fruit cocktail, drained; 1 15ounce can mandarin oranges, drained; 1 15 ounce can pineapple chunks, drained; 8 ounces frozen whipped topping, thawed; 1/2 cup sweetened coconut flakes; 2 cups mini marshmallows

This fruit salad with Cool Whip is a and easy fruit salad with marshmallows. Reach for canned fruit to make this fluff salad to serve up as a dessert for the family or a crowd.

Just 6 ingredients is all that is required for this Cool Whip fruit salad. A great dessert for potlucks, summer cookouts, Easter entertaining, and more. Give this dessert salad a go! For another dessert try our orange fluff salad. Try our grape salad recipe as well for another fruit salad idea.

This fruit salad with Cool whip is..

Made with canned fruit.
We used Cool Whip but you can swap for homemade whipped cream.
Easy to throw together.
Great for potluck events, dessert after dinner, or even gift to a friend.

canned fruit, tub of Cool whip, and coconut and marshmallows in bowls on table

Ingredients You Will Need

Canned fruit – mixed fruit cocktail, mandarin oranges, and pineapple chunks are what you will use. All drained from juice.

Whipped Cream – Cool Whip or choice of whipped cream.

Coconut – Sweetened coconut flakes.

Marshmallows – Mini marshmallows.

How to Make

Full steps on how to make fruit salad with Cool Whip is in the printable recipe card featured at the bottom of the post. This is a quick walk through.

Drain the cans of fruit and add it into a large bowl.
Add in whipped cream, coconut, and marshmallows.
Use a spatula to combine, and refrigerate for an hour before serving.

collage on how to make marshmallow fruit salad by pouring fruit in a bowl, mixing with cool whip, and poured into a bowl

Variations to Recipe

Use kiwi, diced strawberries, grapes, etc. for added fruit.
Reach for colored rainbow marshmallows instead of plain mini marshmallows.
Add in some pistachios or slivered almonds for a crunchy component.
Mix in some cottage cheese. Use 1/3 to 1/2 cup of cottage cheese for added creaminess and protein.

fruit cocktail marshmallow salad in a white bowl

Tips For Success

Don’t overmix the salad with a spoon or it will break down the whipped cream and fruit a bit too much.

Make sure you drain all the juice out of the fruit. This is important or it will create a soupy mixture and it won’t be a salad that is held together.

You need to allow the salad to sit in the fridge for an hour before serving. Otherwise, it will not have a blend of flavor.

Storing Salad

You can store any leftovers in the refrigerator for 1-3 days. Give it a light stir right before serving. You will find that as the salad sits longer it will break down a bit more and become watery.

Common Questions Asked

Does Cool Whip harden in the fridge?

Cool Whip will firm up and harden just a bit when it is refrigerated. But you will find it is going to mostly hold shape to the salad.

Can we change up canned fruit?

Go right ahead and change up the fruit used in the salad. You can use any diced fruit you would like. Just make sure to drain all the juice out of the cans.

How do you keep fruit salad from getting soggy?

Fruit salad will get soggy in time, no matter what you try. You are going to find that draining the juice, and mixing and serving within a few hours of being made is going to be the best in terms of texture.

fruit salad in a bowl close up with cherries on top

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