Hostess At Heart

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Creamy Tropical Fruit Cocktail Salad Recipe

Updated: By 36 Comments

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  Tropical Fruit Cocktail Salad has 5 ingredients and comes together in about 5 seconds. It’s creamy delicious and everyone loves it! Who wouldn’t love a fruit salad with cool whip and pudding?

This delicious recipe was first published 3/2016 and has been updated to improve the reader experience.

2 bowls of Tropical Fruit Cocktail Salad with a jar of marshmallows

Tropical Fruit Cocktail salad is one of those “save the day” recipes. Dump 5 ingredients together and in about 5 nanoseconds you have a creamy dreamy dish that everyone is guaranteed to like! Now I am sure you are wondering if I’ve forgotten how to cook, but I just had to share this fruit salad with Cool Whip. It’s quick, easy, and perfect for any occasion.

When my kids were younger they always thought it was a special meal when I’d make this Fruit Cocktail salad. They loved it then and now make it for their families. It just reminds me of a sunny day and it’s perfect for a potluck with the neighbors or a simple meal.

With the holidays, graduations, and nicer weather activities coming up, it’s nice to have a recipe that is quick and easy to make so you can concentrate on more important things.

I totally understand how busy you are so if you don’t have time for our helpful tips and delicious recipe ideas, just scroll to the bottom of the page where you can find the printable recipe card.

If you grew up with canned fruit cocktail, you knew that the one who opened the can got the cherry. The rest of us just got a bunch of peaches, pears, and grapes. They were good, but who’s kidding who, the cherry was what you wanted.

Closeup of a partial bowl of Tropical Fruit Cocktail Salad

With this salad, you can just leave it as is or hey, go dump in enough cherries for everyone, and we’ll have a fruit cocktail party salad. I used Dole Tropical Fruit instead of fruit cocktail. It has nice big pieces of fruit that aren’t mushy like some canned fruit. The tropical fruit is perfect when making any fruit salad with pudding like this one.

I tend to make this Fruit Salad with Cool Whip and Pudding recipe more in the Spring or Summer. It’s cool and creamy and everyone loves it. When we have a potluck with the neighbors I always bring it. The kiddos dive in to get their share (of the cherries) before the adults can get their hands on it. It makes a pretty good sized fruit cocktail salad so it’s perfect for sharing.

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Ingredients for Tropical Fruit Cocktail with Cool Whip & Pudding Recipe

  • Dole Tropical Fruit Cocktail
  • Cool Whip
  • Crushed pineapple
  • Miniature marshmallows
  • Instant vanilla pudding

Variations that you can make to Fruit Cocktail Salad

  • Use different flavors of pudding. Vanilla, Lemon, Coconut, are all delicious options.
  • Add a cup of nuts. Pecans or macadamia would both be delicious.
  • For a real tropical flair add toasted coconut.
  • Add additional maraschino cherries to make the kiddos happy!

Pin this to have on hand for when you need a quick delicious dish!

You May Need:

  • Trifle Bowl – Just because it’s a simple salad doesn’t mean it can’t be pretty! Serve it in this trifle bowl and guests will think it’s a little fancier than it is!
  • Silicone Spatulas – This pretty set has a flat side and a curved side to take on your toughest job. I love that they are all one piece and can withstand 500°F! Throw out those old chipped ones and treat yourself!

If you like this recipe leave me a comment and a 5-star rating. Here are a few more recipes I think you’ll like!

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5 from 3 votes

Tropical Fruit Cocktail Salad

Dump five ingredients together and you have a delicious Tropical Fruit Cocktail Salad, that everyone loves. Add some maraschino cherries, and we have a party!
Prep Time 35 mins
Total Time 35 mins
Servings 12
Author Hostess At Heart

Ingredients

  • 1 medium can crushed pineapple don’t drain
  • 1 can Dole Tropical Fruit Cocktail don’t drain (chop in smaller pieces if desired)
  • 1 box of instant lemon pudding can also use vanilla or coconut
  • 2 cups marshmallows miniature
  • 8 oz whipped topping I used Cool Whip Free
  • Maraschino cherries coconut optional

Instructions

  • Combine all ingredients in a bowl and refrigerate. Chill at least 30 minutes.

Notes

Recipe adapted from The St. Robert Bellarmine cookbook, “Angel Foods”
Tried this recipe? That’s awesome!Mention @hostessatheart or tag #hostessatheart!

Do you have a tried and true fruit salad with cool whip or pudding that your family loves? Please share in the comments below. You are my inspiration!

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for spending some time with me today!

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Comments

  2. Naina says

    May 23, 2016 at 11:46 am

    I grew up eating a lot of fruit salad in India, basically chopped fruits with vanilla custard, so this post brought back happy memories 🙂 LOve the idea of making it with lemon pudding!

    Reply

  4. Michele says

    May 22, 2016 at 6:06 pm

    Julie~ I can’t wait to take this to our memorial day picnic… My niece is hosting it and she remembers my moms recipe, but none of us have a copy of that one. Im thinking this is a pretty close alternative! And she will especially love the pineapple! Its her favorite!

    Reply

  6. Michelle @ Giraffes Can Bake says

    May 20, 2016 at 7:33 am

    I love this salad, I especially love how easy it, you can’t beat that – especially in the warmer weather. And who doesn’t love fruit cocktail?
    I would have to swap the pineapple out for something else as I’m allergic, but I think I would love it all the same

    Pinning and sharing!

    Reply

  8. demeter | beaming baker says

    March 30, 2016 at 8:19 am

    Omigosh, I would totally be the one rushing to grab the cherry! Haha. Anyway, love this tropical fruit salad, Julie. Just looking at your pics makes me hungry. Thanks for sharing such an awesome recipe. 🙂

    Reply

  9. Petra @ CrumblesAndKale says

    March 27, 2016 at 8:15 am

    Oh it was so fun to see this recipe, firstly it looks fabulous, and secondly we have something similar in Sweden called “Mimosasallad” but I have never seen it with lemon pudding and marshmallows. Instead we always have the cherries and the “sauce” is made of whipped cream and mayonnaise.

    Reply

  10. Lily says

    March 26, 2016 at 1:26 pm

    Wow, you weren’t kidding when you said it was easy to whip up. It’s an absolutely perfect dessert for when you need something quick. Thanks for sharing another fabulous recipe.

    Reply

  12. Hilda Cowan says

    March 25, 2016 at 11:47 am

    This does bring back memories, although your version looks a lot better than the ones I’ve had in my past. Very kid friendly and festive for Easter. Have a lovely weekend

    Reply

  13. Jhuls says

    March 25, 2016 at 8:49 am

    Julie, we have the same dessert in the Philippines and I haven’t made it in a long time. Now, I am craving for some. This looks very delicious! Happy FF! x

    Reply

  14. Linda says

    March 25, 2016 at 7:28 am

    Yummy Julie! I’ve made this type of fruit salad before – the kids loved it! I loved how quickly it pulled together! Thanks for reminding me of this tasty treat!

    Reply

  17. cookingwithauntjuju.com says

    March 24, 2016 at 10:35 am

    I make a few varieties of this fruit salad and my family loves it too. I often will serve it when the fresh fruit is not so tasty or I am in a hurry. Good salad to have any time of the year and you can have the ingredients always on hand!

    Reply

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