Home > Salads > Creamy Fruit Salad Creamy Fruit Salad March 23, 2020 | 5 Comments SAVE TO RECIPE BOX Jump to Recipe This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy. Creamy Fruit Salad is a classic dessert “salad” with strawberries, mango (or pineapple), grapes, kiwi, oranges, and a luscious, creamy, cheesecake dressing. This salad is quick and easy to make and goes well with so many different dishes. Creamy Fruit Salad Being born and raised in the Midwest, I’ve always loved dessert salads. It must be in my DNA! I’ve shared a few of my favorites on this site, such as this Raspberry Cheesecake Fluff, this Frog Eye Salad, the famous Watergate Salad, and this creamy Grape Salad. Today I’m excited to share another one of my favorites – a creamy fruit salad with a fluffy cheesecake “dressing.” This salad is easy to make and extremely versatile salad. It’s a great dish to serve at barbecues, picnics, parties, and alongside any holiday spread. While this particular salad features summer fruits and berries, it’s very customizable. Change up the fruit with whatever is in season when you’re craving it! QUICK TIP When is a salad not a salad? When it’s a fruit salad! Instead of vegetables, this salad has fruit in it. So….maybe we should expand our definition of salad to include produce items (fruits as well as veggies) covered with a dressing. Creamy Fruit Salad Dressing Ingredients The “dressing” for this creamy fruit salad has only three ingredients and takes only a few minutes to whip together. Cheesecake pudding mix: I recommend Jell-o® brand; it has the best flavor, in my opinion (not sponsored). Make sure to get the smaller box at 3.4 ounces, not the 5.6-ounce package. I prefer the regular cheesecake pudding mix instead of the sugar-free. Light vanilla nonfat yogurt: I’ve tried this creamy fruit salad with Greek yogurt, and it did not work well. I highly recommend a light, nonfat, and especially non-Greek yogurt for this creamy fruit salad. The vanilla-flavored yogurt adds a nice subtle flavor to the salad. Frozen whipped topping: Whatever frozen whipped topping you get (lite, sugar-free, or original) be sure it’s fully thawed before making the dressing. If it is still frozen at all, it won’t fold into the dressing well. Variations We love Creamy Fruit Salad as the recipe is written, but here are some ideas to change it up and personalize it. Vanilla version: Use vanilla pudding instead of cheesecake. White chocolate version: Try white chocolate pudding instead of vanilla. As a dip: This fluffy salad also works as a fun dip; serve the fruit on the side, and dip it in the dressing mixture. Switch up the fruit: Add your favorite fruits to this salad — just about anything goes! Here are some suggestions: Red grapes, pineapple, raspberries, blueberries, and blackberries are all great choices. Lighten it up: Use sugar-free or reduced-fat whipped topping and/or use sugar-free pudding mix. If using sugar-free pudding, you’ll likely want two packets. Make homemade whipped topping: More on this below! Homemade whipped topping If you want an alternative to frozen whipped topping for this creamy fruit salad, heavy cream can be used to make your own topping instead. To make homemade whipped topping using heavy cream: Whip 1 cup heavy cream with 1/2 cup powdered sugar, and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract in a stand mixer with a whisk attachment. Beat to combine, and then increase the speed and whip until firm peaks form, about 2-4 minutes. With a spatula, fold the whipped topping into the pudding and yogurt mixture. More easy potluck salads Broccoli Salad with sunflower seeds and dried cranberries Strawberry Poppy Seed Salad with avocado and strawberries Potato Salad with Yukon gold potatoes Chicken Salad with pecans and celery Greek Pasta Salad with a Greek-inspired vinaigrette FOLLOW ALONG! Subscribe to my newsletter and follow along on Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram for the latest updates, recipes and content. Creamy Fruit Salad 5 from 3 votes - Review this recipe Creamy Fruit Salad is a classic dessert "salad" with strawberries, mango (or pineapple), grapes, kiwi, oranges, and a luscious creamy cheesecake dressing. This salad is quick and easy to make, and goes well with so many different dishes. SAVE TO RECIPE BOX Print Recipe Creamy Fruit Salad 5 from 3 votes - Review this recipe SAVE TO RECIPE BOX Print Recipe Creamy Fruit Salad is a classic dessert "salad" with strawberries, mango (or pineapple), grapes, kiwi, oranges, and a luscious creamy cheesecake dressing. This salad is quick and easy to make, and goes well with so many different dishes. Course Salad Cuisine American Keyword Creamy Fruit Salad Prep Time 30 minutes Total Time 30 minutes Servings 8 -10 as a side Calories 239kcal Author Chelsea Lords Cost $8.42 Ingredients▢ 16 oz. fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced▢ 1 cup peeled and segmented clementines▢ 2 and 1/2 cups seedless green grapes, halved▢ 4 kiwis, peeled and sliced▢ 1 and 1/2 cups chopped honey mangoes▢ 1 container (32 oz.) low-fat vanilla yogurt (NOT greek yogurt)▢ 1 package (3.4 oz.) cheesecake pudding mix (dry)▢ 1 container (8 oz.) frozen whipped topping, completely thawedUS - Metric USMetric InstructionsPREP: Make sure the frozen whipped topping is completely thawed before starting.PREPARE FRUIT: Wash and dry the fruit; if the fruit is still wet, it will make the salad soggy and the dressing won't adhere as well. Slice the strawberries, peel the clementines, halve the grapes, peel and thinly slice the kiwis, peel and coarsely chop the mangoes. Add all the fruit to a large bowl.DRESSING: Put the yogurt in a separate large bowl, and pour the pudding mix right on top. Briskly whisk the two together until completely smooth. With a spatula, gently fold in the thawed whipped topping until completely combined (see Note 1 to make homemade whipped topping).DRESS THE SALAD: Pour the dressing over the salad and toss gently to combine.ENJOY: Either serve immediately or refrigerate until ready to serve. Best enjoyed within 1-2 days. Recipe NotesNote 1: To make homemade whipped topping using heavy cream: Whip 1 cup heavy cream with 1/2 cup powdered sugar, and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract in a stand mixer with a whisk attachment. Beat to combine, and then increase the speed and whip until firm peaks form, about 2-4 minutes. With a spatula, fold the whipped topping into the pudding and yogurt mixture. Nutrition FactsCalories: 239kcal | Carbohydrates: 63.8g | Protein: 0.8g | Fat: 0.3g | Sodium: 147.3mg | Fiber: 1.5g | Sugar: 61.1g We do our best to provide accurate nutritional analysis for our recipes. Our nutritional data is calculated using a third-party algorithm and may vary, based on individual cooking styles, measurements, and ingredient sizes. Please use this information for comparison purposes and consult a health professional for nutrition guidance as needed. DID YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE? I love hearing from you when you've made one of my recipes! Tag me on Instagram at @ChelseasMessyApron or leave me a comment below.
Just discovered your Chelsea’s messy apron site today. Everything looks and sounds wonderful. I have printed some recipes, but know when I see them, I will not remember how beautiful and colorful and appealing they are. Do you have a hint for printing a color picture with them. Glad I found you. Thanks, Lesle Reply
I’m so thrilled you are enjoying my site! I hope you love the recipes you try Lesle! 🙂 Unfortunately I’m not sure how to include a picture, I wish I did know! Sorry about that. Reply
