This Creamy Fruit Salad Recipe is made with a Homemade Vanilla Dressing — no pudding mix here! It is the perfect summer breakfast, snack or dessert — use whatever fruit you have! Includes step by step recipe video.
May.
It is just one of the best months of the year I think.
Hopefully, by this time of year, most years, winter is safely behind us (although we’ve been known to have the odd May long weekend snowstorm here in Manitoba!), and we can look forward to longer, sunnier days, warmer weather, picnics, swimming pools. We can crack the windows and smell something other than snow (I hope!).
I became a mother in May, F-I-V-E years ago. I remember driving to the hospital in the freezing rain — it was absolutely miserable outside! Luckily, a few days later we were basking in the sunshine in t-shirts and pushing a stroller with a newborn baby girl in it.
I remember a friend of mine making a fruit salad recipe like this one — she used a cooked vanilla pudding mix and cooked it with some milk and some pineapple juice. It was so good, you guys!
But for the most part, my goal is to bring you real food recipes here, ones made without those boxes of who-knows-what.
It’s not that I don’t have a few boxes of who-knows-what in my cupboard, and I definitely use them on occasion! But I still believe that nothing really compares to homemade, and if you have 10 extra minutes to make the homemade vanilla pudding dressing, it is absolutely worth it!
This creamy dressing goes with any fruit, and you can definitely use what you have on hand! It’s also amazing as a pancake or waffle topping.
When we go to Cora’s for brunch (not often enough if you ask me!), I pretty much always get the Mountain of Fresh Fruit Waffle — it’s a huge, crispy waffle topped with warm vanilla custard sauce (like these Blueberries ‘n’ Cream Pancakes!), and loaded with fruit. There is actually a mountain of fruit on top! Basically, this is a Cora’s Mountain of Fresh Fruit Waffle minus the waffle 😉
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 free and vegan by using almond milk.
- You can boost the protein by adding a little plain Greek yogurt to the dressing before serving.
Tips to Make Ahead:
- If you want to make the recipe and have it keep until the next day, be sure to use strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, grapes and 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.
- Another way to prep ahead is to make the dressing a day or two before, store in the fridge and then just combine before serving. I would be sure to leave out the lemon zest until the last minute, or leave it out completely if not serving immediately.
Watch the recipe video down below and see how easy it is to make!
Creamy Fruit Salad Recipe with Homemade Vanilla Dressing + VIDEO
Ingredients
- 2 cups 1% milk
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons corn starch
- 1/2 teaspoon lemon zest optional
- 2 teaspoons vanilla
- 1 lb fresh strawberries hulled and quartered
- 1 cup fresh blueberries
- 1 cup fresh blackberries
- 1 cup mandarin oranges optional (see note)
- 3 kiwi sliced, optional (see note)
- 2 cups fresh pineapple chunks optional (see note)
- 1 cup red grapes
Instructions
- In a medium skillet, whisk together milk, sugar and corn starch. Cook over medium heat, whisking frequently, until thickened, about 8-10 minutes (it won't be thick like pudding, it is a dressing -- but it will thicken considerably).
- Stir in lemon zest (if using) and vanilla. Remove from heat and let cool to room temperature.
- In a large bowl combine strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, oranges, kiwi, pineapple and grapes. Pour dressing over and toss to coat (be gentle -- you don't want mush!).
- Serve at room temperature or chill to serve later. If making ahead, I prefer not to add the dressing until 3-4 hours or less before serving.
Video
Notes
**If you want to make the recipe and have it keep for a couple of days, be sure to use strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, grapes and 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.
Nutrition (this is an estimate)
Patricia Freeck says
Going to try this recipe for Easter dnner and I was wonderingicould you add to this salad glazed pecans or glazed slivered almonds
Ashley Fehr says
Yes, that’d be a great addition!
mike says
your article is very good. I can’t wait to try it at home. Thank you for sharing the recipe with me. I’m waiting for your next article.
Jocelyn says
This fruit salad is always a hit when we make it!!!
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Jocelyn!
Anna says
This fruit salad was a huge hit! Everyone loved the creamy dressing!
Jamie says
This was such a hit at our weekend brunch! Thanks for the great recipe!
lauren kelly says
This is my kind of fruit salad! I am saving this to make for Mother’s Day!
Sophia estrada says
Can we use almond milk and swerve instead of granulated sugar?
Ashley Fehr says
You should be able to swap them just fine, but I haven’t tried myself. I’d love to hear if you do!
Elle says
I’m making this for our Thanksgiving gathering this weekend! I’m from Manitoba too! Recently relocated to Souther MB with my husband’s family, so fruit salad is a common meal item. So far the vanilla cream glaze smells delicious!
Ashley Fehr says
Oh that is so awesome! I hope you guys enjoy it!
Val Schnur says
Hello-WOULD THIS WORK OK TO just have in a pitcher for people to drizzle over their fruit instead of adding it to the whole bowl? Some people I will be serving this to may only want to the fruit because of diet/calories
Ashley Fehr says
Yes, that’s a great idea!
Claire says
This is such a favourite in our house!
My kids just love it!
I mix it up a bit depending on what fruit is on our trees/bushes.
BUT I always make the dressing!!!! SO YUMMY.
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Claire! I’m so glad you like this fruit salad as much as we do!
Liz says
Dreamy indeed! This recipe is so perfect for summer cookouts! Love it!
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Liz!
Tracey says
I know somebody who can’t have dairy and is allergic to nuts. Can this be made with coconut milk?
Ashley Fehr says
Definitely! It will obviously just taste different.
Cathleen @ A Taste of Madness says
The homemade dressing looks totally worth it!
Fruit salad always has a special place in my heart. This was the only dessert my mom would allow us to have. I especially like having fruit salad frozen!
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Cathleen! I’ve never heard of having it frozen!