Creamy Pineapple Fruit Salad (Printable Version)

Sweet pineapple and citrus fruits coated in a smooth, tangy cream dressing ideal for gatherings.

# What You Need:

→ Fruit & Add-Ins

01 - 1 can (20 oz) pineapple chunks, drained
02 - 1 cup seedless grapes, halved
03 - 1 cup mandarin orange segments, drained if canned
04 - 1 cup mini marshmallows
05 - 1/2 cup chopped pecans or walnuts (optional)

→ Creamy Dressing

06 - 1 cup sour cream
07 - 1/2 cup mayonnaise
08 - 2 tablespoons honey or sugar, adjusted to taste
09 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

# How To Make It:

01 - In a large mixing bowl, toss together the drained pineapple chunks, halved grapes, mandarin orange segments, mini marshmallows, and chopped nuts if using.
02 - In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the sour cream, mayonnaise, honey or sugar, and vanilla extract until completely smooth and well blended.
03 - Pour the dressing over the fruit mixture and gently fold until every piece is evenly coated, taking care not to crush the soft fruit.
04 - Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to allow the flavors to meld and the dressing to set.
05 - Give the salad one last gentle toss to redistribute the dressing, then transfer to a serving bowl and serve chilled.

# Helpful Hints:

01 -
  • It takes fifteen minutes and zero cooking, which means you can make it while the coffee brews and still feel accomplished.
  • The creamy dressing balances sweet and tangy in a way that makes people go back for seconds before they have finished their first plate.
  • It travels beautifully to potlucks and actually tastes better after sitting, so you never have to stress about timing.
02 -
  • Drain the pineapple and mandarins thoroughly, because wet fruit is the difference between creamy and watery.
  • This salad tastes noticeably better on the second day, so making it ahead is not just allowed but encouraged.
03 -
  • Let the dressed salad sit overnight if you can, because the flavors meld into something far more complex than when it is freshly mixed.
  • A pinch of salt in the dressing sounds wrong but brings out the sweetness of the fruit in a way nothing else can.

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