Creamy Fruit Salad Recipe & Vanilla Dressing [VIDEO] - The Recipe Rebel (2024)

The Recipe Rebel / Desserts

written by Ashley Fehr

4.88 from 91 votes

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Total Time 23 minutes mins

Servings 8 servings

Jump to Recipe

Last updated on March 1, 2024

This Creamy Fruit Salad Recipe is made with a Homemade Vanilla Fruit Salad Dressing — no pudding mix here!

See the step by step recipe video down in the recipe card.

Creamy Fruit Salad Recipe & Vanilla Dressing [VIDEO] - The Recipe Rebel (2)

Table of Contents

  • What fruit can you put in fruit salad?
  • Tips to Prep Ahead:
  • More fruit salad recipes!
  • Creamy Fruit Salad Recipe with Homemade Vanilla Dressing + VIDEO Recipe

Warm weather is on the way and that means it’s fruit salad season!

This Creamy Fruit Salad is made with a homemade vanilla fruit salad dressing that we absolutely love.

We even love it on its own, poured warm over some of these Whole Wheat Pancakes or French Toast Casserole, with loads of fresh fruit!

It is the perfect sweet treat when you have some fruit you need to use up, or you’re trying to keep things on the healthier side.

It’s a great way to end your summer cookouts or barbecues!

What fruit can you put in fruit salad?

Whatever you want! But here are some tips:

  • Skip the bananas: I know, there are some who throw them in but I find the whole salad tastes like banana, and they tend to get soft and mushed pretty quickly.
  • Stick to fruit you enjoy! This seems like an obvious one, but if you don’t enjoy the flavor or texture of a certain fruit, even one in the recipe below, just leave it out! Chances are you won’t enjoy it in fruit salad either.
  • Aim for an equal amount of each fruit, though I like to go a little heavier on the strawberries here because we love them.
Creamy Fruit Salad Recipe & Vanilla Dressing [VIDEO] - The Recipe Rebel (3)

Fruit Salad Tips & Tricks:

  • This fruit salad is naturally vegetarian, egg free and gluten free, just be sure to check all of your packages and ensure nothing has been contaminated before serving to those with allergies.
  • You can easily make this fruit salad recipe dairy freeand vegan by using almond or coconut milk.
  • You can boost the protein by adding a little plain Greek yogurt to the dressing before serving.
  • Fruit salad generally doesn’t keep and shouldn’t be made in advance, though I’ve included a few tips below to prep the different components ahead and make your life a little easier!
Creamy Fruit Salad Recipe & Vanilla Dressing [VIDEO] - The Recipe Rebel (4)
Creamy Fruit Salad Recipe & Vanilla Dressing [VIDEO] - The Recipe Rebel (5)
Creamy Fruit Salad Recipe & Vanilla Dressing [VIDEO] - The Recipe Rebel (6)

Tips to Prep Ahead:

  • If you want to make the recipe and have it keep for several hours, be sure to use strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, grapesand stay away from the very juicy or citrusy fruit like oranges, pineapple and kiwi. They will release a lot of juices in just a few hours, so if you add them, be sure you are serving right away and won’t have a lot left over. Otherwise, stick to berries and grapes to be safe.
  • Make the dressing a day or two in advance, store in the fridge and then just combine before serving. The dressing can be refrigerated for up to 1 week if you use the freshest ingredients possible.
  • You can also simply have your fruit washed and chopped in the fridge, then you are ready to throw this fruit salad together at a moment’s notice.
Creamy Fruit Salad Recipe & Vanilla Dressing [VIDEO] - The Recipe Rebel (7)

More fruit salad recipes!

  • Christmas Fruit Salad is delicious any time of year — it’s made with red and green fruit!
  • Hawaiian Fruit Salad is full of fun, tropical flavors!

Creamy Fruit Salad Recipe & Vanilla Dressing [VIDEO] - The Recipe Rebel (8)

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Creamy Fruit Salad Recipe with Homemade Vanilla Dressing + VIDEO

written by Ashley Fehr

4.88 from 91 votes

This Creamy Fruit Salad Recipe is made with a Homemade Vanilla Fruit Salad Dressing — no pudding mix here!

Creamy Fruit Salad Recipe & Vanilla Dressing [VIDEO] - The Recipe Rebel (10)

Save

Review

Print

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 8 minutes mins

Total Time 23 minutes mins

Cuisine American

Course Breakfast, Salad, Side Dish

Ingredients

  • 1 ½ cups 1% milk
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar (reduce to 3 tablespoons for less sweet dressing)
  • 1 ½ tablespoons corn starch
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla
  • 2 cups fresh strawberries, quartered (260 grams)
  • 1 cup fresh blueberries (150 grams)
  • 1 cup fresh blackberries (135 grams)
  • 1 cup mandarin oranges canned, drained of juice (189 grams or 284ml can)
  • 1 cup fresh pineapple chunks (155 grams)
  • 1 cup red grapes (173 grams)
  • 2 kiwi peeled and sliced

US CustomaryMetric

Instructions

  • In a medium skillet, whisk together milk, sugar and corn starch. Cook over medium-low heat, whisking constantly, until thickened, about 8-10 minutes (it won't be thick like pudding, it is a dressing — but it will thicken considerably).

  • Stir in vanilla. Remove from heat and let cool to room temperature (you can speed this up by refrigerating for 30 minutes).

  • In a large bowl combine strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, oranges, kiwi, pineapple and grapes. Whisk the cooled dressing and pour over fruit. Toss to coat (be gentle — you don't want mush!).

  • Serve at room temperature or chill to serve later. If making ahead, only add the dressing 1-2 hours before serving.

Notes

*One serving is roughly 1 cup

Nutrition Information

Calories: 133cal | Carbohydrates: 30g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 2mg | Sodium: 22mg | Potassium: 337mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 24g | Vitamin A: 347IU | Vitamin C: 55mg | Calcium: 89mg | Iron: 1mg

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Creamy Fruit Salad Recipe & Vanilla Dressing [VIDEO] - The Recipe Rebel (11)

Meet Ashley

My name is Ashley Fehr and I love creating easy meals my family loves. I also like to do things my way, which means improvising and breaking the rules when necessary. Here you will find creative twists on old favorites and some of my favorite family recipes, passed down from generations!

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Charlotte says

    Can you use apples in this my friend is allergic to strawberries

    Reply

  2. Kim Fey says

    Could I throw some coconut in this or will it ruin it?

    Reply

    • The Recipe Rebel says

      Hi Kim! I don’t necessarily think it would ruin it, it’s a pretty forgiving recipe. Enjoy!

      Reply

  3. Yvonne says

    I have allot of fruit to use up and found your recipe.

    I can’t wait to try this.
    The reviews are excellent

    Reply

    • The Recipe Rebel says

      Hope you enjoy it Yvonne!

      Reply

  4. Melodie says

    If there are leftovers does it store well?

    Reply

    • The Recipe Rebel says

      It sure does!

      Reply

  5. Sandi says

    Made this for Christmas brunch, it was a hit! No leftovers! Had to make it again so I could enjoy it for breakfast the rest of the week!

    Reply

    • The Recipe Rebel says

      Hi Sandi! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review!

      Reply

  6. JP says

    This dressing is super light and tasty. I used whole milk plus a drizzle of cream to lean more to the fat side with all the strawberry & pineapple acid we have. The sauce is so good, I had to resist the urge to grab a straw.

    Reply

    • The Recipe Rebel says

      Hi JP! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review!

      Reply

  7. Anne says

    Just wondering, have tried adding a touch of cinnamon to your dressing as a fall/holiday option or would that not work?

    Reply

    • The Recipe Rebel says

      Hi Anne, I have not but I’d love to know how it turns out if you give it a try!

      Reply

  8. Cesia says

    So so good! I used almond milk rather than 1% for a vegan version and it came out so well. Thank you!

    Reply

    • The Recipe Rebel says

      Hi Cesia! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review!

      Reply

  9. Jackie says

    Just made this. Super delicious dressing! Thank you

    Reply

    • Ashley Fehr says

      Thanks Jackie!

      Reply

  10. Connie Castro says

    This was Awesome! It’s a very big hit in my home and will be making this alot. Down here in Florida this is a year round treat. Delicious 👍

    Reply

    • Ashley Fehr says

      Thanks Connie!

      Reply

  11. Craig M Thompson says

    I haven’t tried this fruit salad yet . But I agree with you about the Bananas, taking over and the first fruit to break down.
    Maybe one can make the fruit salad, and each person should they want, slice some up in their own bowl.🤷

    Reply

    • Ashley Fehr says

      That’s a great idea!

      Reply

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Creamy Fruit Salad Recipe & Vanilla Dressing [VIDEO] - The Recipe Rebel (2024)

FAQs

What is a creamy fruit salad made of? ›

Beat cream cheese and sugar together in a large bowl with an electric mixer. Mix in whipped topping on high speed until incorporated. Fold in pineapple, fruit co*cktail, bananas, apple, coconut, pecans, raisins, and cherries. Transfer to a serving bowl, cover, and chill for at least 1 hour before serving.

What is fruit salad dressing made of? ›

Step 1: Cook the dressing

In a saucepan, combine the flour, pineapple juice, orange juice concentrate, sugar, honey and lemon juice. Bring to a boil. Cook the ingredients, stirring, until thickened and bubbly, about two minutes. Use a silicone spatula to scrape down any juices that bubble up the sides of the pan.

What is a mixture of fruits called? ›

Fruit salad is a dish consisting of various kinds of fruit, sometimes served in a liquid, either their juices or a syrup. In different forms, fruit salad can be served as an appetizer or a side as a salad.

What kind of mixture fruit salad? ›

iii) Fruit salad is a mixture of various fruits. The pieces of fruits can be easily differentiated, which means that fruit salad is a heterogeneous mixture.

What fruits should not be mixed in fruit salad? ›

3. Avoid mixing acidic fruits with sweet fruits. Acidic and sub-acidic fruits such as grapefruits, strawberries, apples, pomegranates, and peaches, should never be combined with sweet fruits such as bananas and raisins. This is because it often leads to digestive problems, nausea, acidosis, and headaches.

What is creamy salad dressing made of? ›

Start with a base: Most creamy dressings contain mayo, sour cream, and/or yogurt, with a 50-50 ratio. For example, 2 tablespoons mayo + 2 tablespoons sour cream. For a lighter version, you can use all yogurt, but I like to use some mayo for the richness it adds.

Why do people put sugar on fruit salad? ›

A bit of sugar and lime makes a standout fruit salad: The duo accentuates fruit's flavors and sweetness while creating a syrup to gloss the fruit. Massage lime zest into the sugar so its oils release, then stir mixed fruit with the lime sugar and some lime juice.

How to make fruit salad last longer? ›

How to keep fruit salad fresh: 7 food preservation techniques that (actually) work
  1. Use citrus juice, like orange or lemon juice. One of the best fruit salad ingredient secrets, coming right up. ...
  2. Keep it covered. ...
  3. Always refrigerate it. ...
  4. Use sturdy fruits. ...
  5. Reduce chopping. ...
  6. Utilize vacuum sealing. ...
  7. Give the fruit a water bath.
Oct 2, 2023

Why fruit salad is the best? ›

With the right quantity and type of fruits, a fruit salad can work wonders for you, for it will provide you with a power-packed dose of fibre, vitamins and antioxidants. At the same time, you will also get a wide range of health benefits, right from lower blood pressure levels to weight management.

What is fruit mixed with sugar called? ›

Fruit can be marinated by soaking it in a mixture of sugar and liqueur or fruit juice. The mixture is then set aside to soften and release its natural juices. This is known as macerating.

What does fruit salad do in the body? ›

With the right quantity and type of fruits, a fruit salad can work wonders for you, for it will provide you with a power-packed dose of fibre, vitamins and antioxidants. At the same time, you will also get a wide range of health benefits, right from lower blood pressure levels to weight management.

What is it called when you mix two fruits together? ›

Hybrids are grown using plant propagation to create new cultivars. This may introduce an entirely new type of fruit or improve the properties of an existing fruit.

What fruit is in a fruit salad sweet? ›

Fruit Salad is a type of "raspberry & pineapple flavour chew" according to its packaging. It is a chewy confectionery.

How long does fruit salad last in the fridge? ›

Fruit salad tastes best when enjoyed within three days, but it will last up to five days in the refrigerator in an airtight container. If you're planning to save leftover fruit salad, it's important to transfer the container to the refrigerator as quickly as possible after cutting and mixing the fruit.

What type of sweet is a fruit salad? ›

An 80's classic and the fruitier sibling of the Black Jacks, Fruit Salad sweets are famous for their exotic flavour and colourful packaging. A tangy combination of raspberry and pineapple make the sweets the perfect bitesize chewy snack.

What fruit is creamy? ›

Avocado, the Rich, Creamy Fruit.

What is a creamy fruit like a banana? ›

Ripe pawpaws are soft, creamy, and custard-like, with a consistency similar to that of bananas.

What is fruit filling made of? ›

Fruit, sugar, cornstarch, acid, extras. These are the only things you need to remember to turn out a perfect pie filling.

What ingredients are in fruit salad sweets? ›

Ingredients Glucose syrup, sugar, corn flour, water, modified potato starch, beef gelatine, acid (lactic acid, acetic acid), flavourings, colours (anthocyanins, paprika extract, curcumin, chlorophylls), vegetable oil (palm, coconut), glazing agent (beeswax).

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