Layers of fresh fruit topped with homemade vanilla pudding and whipped cream. A beautiful and crowd-pleasing side dish or dessert. Video below!
With Easter, Mother’s Day, and summer BBQs and parties on the horizon, I thought it would be the perfect time to share this Fruit Salad. Layers of fruit, vanilla pudding and whipped cream make this the tastiest fruit salad EVER. If you’re looking for a way to switch things up from a traditional fruit salad or fruit platter, THIS. IS. IT.
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How To Make Fruit Salad
- Vanilla Pudding: Start by making the pudding (so it has time to chill). This super easy homemade vanilla pudding cooks on the stovetop for a few minutes and then goes in the fridge to chill completely. I used my popular vanilla pudding recipe with a few small tweaks to make the pudding less thick, so it’s a pourable consistency for topping the fruit.
- Whipped Cream: Cream, vanilla and powdered sugar combine to make this fluffy, sweet and flavorful whipped cream topping. Adding whipped cream to the fruit makes it extra decadent – and it makes it similar in taste to an ambrosia salad.
- Fruit: Choose your favorite combination of fruits for this salad. You can use a wide variety or as little as two or three different fruits. Make sure that all the fruit is cut into bite-sized pieces before layering it.
- Assembling Fruit Salad: I like to assemble this salad in a glass trifle dish so you can see the layers of fruit, pudding and whipped cream. If you don’t have a trifle dish, you can assemble it in a deep bowl. Start by layering the fruit, alternating colors if possible. After all the fruit is layered add the pudding, then the whipped cream. You can finish by garnishing with additional fruit, if desired.
What Fruit Goes Together?
This salad can be made with any combination of fruit that you enjoy. Here are some suggestions, but feel free to play around with it. Note: If you’re displaying your fruit salad in a trifle dish, try to pick fruit in a variety of colors.
- Berries: Strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries. This is my favorite combo.
- Mixed fruit: Grapes (green and red), pineapple, strawberries, blackberries, raspberries.
- Tropical: Mango, pineapple, mandarin oranges, banana, shredded coconut.
How Long is Fruit Salad Good?
Once fully assembled, this salad is best within 1-2 hours. If you’re using fruit that can turn brown (apples, pears, bananas, peaches, etc.), I highly recommend waiting to add them until right before serving. I don’t suggest treating them with lemon juice, as that might interfere with the flavors in the pudding and whipped cream.
Make ahead tips:
- The pudding and whipped cream can be made up to 1 day in advance and stored in the fridge. If the whipped cream thins out, whip it with a whisk or mixer right before assembling.
- The fruit can be layered in the dish up to 1 day in advance (without the toppings). Keep it tightly covered and refrigerated, and do not include any fruits that turn brown.
- Right before serving, add the pudding and whipped cream.
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Recipe
Fruit Salad Recipe
Ingredients
Pudding:
- ⅓ cup granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- 2 ¼ cups milk
- 2 large egg yolks
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 1 ½ teaspoons pure vanilla extract
Whipped cream:
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream chilled
- 2-3 tablespoons powdered sugar
- ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Fruit:
- 12 cups fruit (in bite sized pieces)
Instructions
Pudding:
- In a medium saucepan whisk together sugar, cornstarch, salt, milk, and egg yolks. Cook over medium-low heat, whisking frequently, until the mixture is bubbling and thickened, about 8-10 minutes. Note: It will thicken a little more as it cools, but we want it on the thinner side so that it can be poured over the fruit.
- Remove from heat and whisk in butter and vanilla extract. Optional: Place a fine mesh strainer over a large heatproof bowl. Pour the mixture through the strainer and into the bowl (Optional step to remove lumps. If you have no lumps, you can skip this step and just pour the pudding directly into a bowl). Place the bowl of pudding in the fridge (I like to place plastic wrap directly on it to prevent a skin from forming). Chill completely.
Whipped cream:
- Place all ingredients in a large bowl. Using a hand mixer or stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, beat on medium-high speed for several minutes until soft peaks form. Cover and chill until assembly.
Assembly:
- Layer fruit in a trifle dish or large bowl. Remove the pudding from fridge and whisk it vigorously until smooth. Pour the pudding evenly over the fruit, then spread the whipped cream on top. If desired, top with additional fruit. Best if served immediately, or within an hour or two.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional Information is an estimate based on third-party calculations and may vary based on products used and serving sizes.
Tried this recipe?Leave a comment and rating below!
Jennifer Banz says
This is a lovely fruit salad! Thank you for sharing!
wilhelmina says
This is gorgeous, refreshing, and easy to make. A total home run!
Kate Berkey says
I was looking for a salad recipe for the whole family and I stumbled on this article. I read and followed the instructions carefully and I made it deliciously! Every member of my family is so happy! Thanks for this
Celebrating Sweets says
Great! I’m glad you enjoyed it!
Michelle says
Can I just use instant vanilla pudding?
Allison says
Sure!
Angie Vera says
Can you use instant pudfing?
Allison says
Sure, that should be fine. Enjoy!
Nancy says
Can you use cool whip vs. whipped cream?
Allison says
Sure. You can use as much or as little as you’d like. At least 1-2 cups.
Gina says
A friend told me about this website, I told her that I was looking for a really good made from scratch gooey butter cake, Now, I can’t seem to ” put my device down “!!!! Thank you to everyone Plus all those seemingly delicious recipes. 🙂
Jay says
This looks delicious! Can the pudding/whipped cream be used as a dip versus pouring ontop of fruit? If so please advise how to combine the two. Thank you
Allison says
The pudding will be on thin side for dipping. You can add an additional tablespoon of cornstarch to the pudding and after chilling it should be better dipping consistency. You can make the whipped cream as written. Enjoy!
Teresa says
I love this fruit salad! I have made
It several times and taken it to a couple of homes for dinner and everyone loved it also. They asked for the recipe! Thanks for sharing!
Allison says
You’re welcome. I’m glad you enjoyed it! 🙂