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Creamy Fruit Salad Recipe

written by Ashley Fehr

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4.86 from 76 votes
Prep Time 15 minutes
Total Time 23 minutes
Servings 8 servings

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Published on March 24, 2021 / Last updated on March 24, 2021

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.

overhead image of creamy fruit salad in glass bowl
Table of Contents
  1. What fruit can you put in fruit salad?
  2. Fruit Salad Tips & Tricks:
  3. Tips to Prep Ahead:
  4. More fruit salad recipes!
  5. 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.
pouring the creamy dressing over the fruit

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 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!
  • overhead image of the fruit that goes into fruit salad
    all the fruit washed and chopped
  • vanilla fruit salad dressing in a stainless steel skillet
    cook and whisk the dressing until thick
  • overhead image of the fruit combined ready for the dressing
    gently combine fruit in large bowl

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, 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.
  • 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.
close up image of creamy fruit salad in glass bowl

More fruit salad recipes!

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Creamy Fruit Salad Recipe with Homemade Vanilla Dressing + VIDEO

written by Ashley Fehr

4.86 from 76 votes
This Creamy Fruit Salad Recipe is made with a Homemade Vanilla Fruit Salad Dressing — no pudding mix here!
overhead image of creamy fruit salad in glass bowl
Save Review
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 8 minutes
Total Time 23 minutes
Cuisine American
Course Breakfast, Salad, Side Dish
Servings 8 servings
Calories 133cal

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

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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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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Comments

  1. Patricia C Riippi says

    I am anxious to make this. It sounds yummy!! Do you think Vanilla Almond milk would work, instead of the 1 % milk?
    Char

    Reply

  2. Danielle says

    Can I use 2% milk for this recipe? It looks like others have used different milks but I just want to double check. I’m very excited to try this for a work potluck!

    Reply

  4. Lily says

    This salad was delicious, I added candied pecans as one of the other comments recommended and it was a delicious addition of texture. We had this for dessert after our taco night and everyone loved it.

    Reply

  8. 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

    Reply

  9. 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.

    Reply

  15. 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!

    Reply

  16. 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

    Reply

  17. 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.

    Reply

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