Try our easy fruit salad with Cool Whip and sour cream recipe this weekend. It is super creamy and easy to make with fresh fruit. It is a super light fruit dessert idea that everyone will love!
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- Ingredient Notes
- Variations
- Can you use canned fruit?
- Can you use frozen fruit?
- What fruits should not be mixed in fruit salad?
- Can you add pudding?
- How Long Should you Refrigerate Fruit Salad with Cool Whip before Serving?
- Can you make this ahead of time?
- Fruit Salad with Cool Whip Recipe
- Other Cool Whip desserts you’ll love
Whether it’s summertime and you’re going to BBQ, or you’re looking for a refreshing side dish this creamy easy Cool Whip fruit salad is fantastic! I like to use cut up fresh fruit but you could use canned if you like.
We live where are lots of strawberry farms and farmers markets. When the fruit is inexpensive and beautiful it is a perfect time to make this. It’s not only is it a great side dish you can call it “dessert” too.
If if you can get your hands on a watermelon I would add chunks of that too. Next to our ambrosia recipe this is a favorite around here. Some of the same ingredients are used for this one except most are fresh fruits instead of canned. The choices of fruit for fruit salad are vast.
Ingredient Notes
Strawberries are juicy and vibrant berries that are firmer so they work well inside fruit salads. They add a burst of sweetness and a beautiful color to the salad. Blueberries are nice and small, flavorful, and when they pop with the Cool Whip provide a burst of flavor and already bite sized so they need very little prep.
With that said you can use the name brand tub or you can save a few dollars buying the store brand. It will say whipped topping instead but it is literally the same thing.
Seedless grapes in either red, green, or a mix of both are great. They add a refreshing and juicy element to the salad. If you have little ones you will want to slice them in half for safety reasons.
Sour cream is the surprising ingredient that actually turns sweet as it sits with the other ingredients. I have found dairy free varieties too. Cool Whip or store brand whipped topping literally tastes the same. I have found a sugar free version that is quite good too.
Variations
Pineapple tidbits add a tropical flavor with the sweetness of whipped topping. You could add mini marshmallows in there too. If you are going to go there a handful of sweetened coconut and/or a few maraschino cherries are fabulous too.
Can you use canned fruit?
Diced fruit that is fresh is best but yes you could use drained fruit cocktail. The texture just isn’t as ideal as that is softer, but a great option in the winter time. I would buy the ones with light syrup and drain the liquid as much as possible.
Can you use frozen fruit?
I mean technically you could but the texture would be totally different. Fresh fruit salad is way better since they remain firm. Using frozen you would need to defrost them first which makes them soft and a bit mushy.
What fruits should not be mixed in fruit salad?
Those that brown easily or are very soft and may be mashed in the folding together process are a no for me. I do love bananas but not in this unless they are quite yellow and firm. If I use those I add at the very end and are very careful OR just set some on the top.
Can you add pudding?
We did this with our pistachio ambrosia but I will say that it has a different texture. It is much thicker if you add a box of instant pudding mix in with everything else, and much sweeter too.C
How Long Should you Refrigerate Fruit Salad with Cool Whip before Serving?
I always suggest that you chill in the fridge for at least an hour, covered with plastic wrap before serving. It gives it time to meld the flavors and chill which I like better. This also keeps well for the next day saved in a sealed container in the fridge too.
Can you make this ahead of time?
Yes, I have actually made this in the early morning and keep in the fridge covered to be served after dinner time. Just know that some of the fresh fruits (like if you added apples) may brown when sitting for a little bit.
Fruit Salad with Cool Whip Recipe
Video
Equipment
- 1 Bowl
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup sour cream, light or fat free is fine
- 1/2 tub cool whip, whipped topping, thawed, 12 oz.
- 1 pkg strawberries, stems removed, cut into 4ths
- 1 pkg blueberries, rinsed and patted dry
- 1 cup grapes, or 1 can mandarin oranges drained
Instructions
- Dice your strawberries, add your blueberries, and grapes whole or halved (or can use and add mandarin oranges after draining the can instead).
- In a small bowl gently whisk together your sour cream and whipped topping and then gently fold it into your fruit mixture.
- Add mini marshmallows too if you desire! Chill in the fridge for an hour or so, covered with plastic wrap, keeps well for the next day too.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Other Cool Whip desserts you’ll love
If you are looking for more yummy side dishes to bring to church potlucks or special occasion we have a bunch of other ones that are either sweet or savory in flavor. Let’s start with something else using whipped topping like our Cool Whip Cookies. And our Cool Whip Pudding Frosting is great on cupcakes.
Now jump to recipe y’all and make a bowl yourself. If you tweak it in another way we haven’t mentioned yet that is a hit let us know.
