Description
This Vanilla Pudding Fruit Salad is a delightful and refreshing dessert that combines a variety of fresh and canned fruits with creamy vanilla pudding. It’s a perfect make-ahead dish for parties, potlucks, or a simple sweet treat that brings a burst of fruity flavors with a smooth, creamy texture.
Ingredients
Scale
Fruits
- 2 (20-oz) cans pineapple chunks, drained and juice reserved
- 1 (11-oz) can mandarin oranges, drained
- 1 (10-oz) jar maraschino cherries, drained and chopped
- 2 bananas, peeled and sliced
- 1½ cups blueberries
- 1 cup chopped strawberries
Nuts
- 1 cup pecans, chopped
Pudding Mixture
- 1 (3.4-oz) box vanilla instant pudding mix
- 1 cup reserved pineapple juice
Instructions
- Combine the Fruit: In a large bowl, mix together the drained pineapple chunks, mandarin oranges, chopped maraschino cherries, sliced bananas, blueberries, chopped strawberries, and chopped pecans to create a colorful and vibrant fruit base.
- Prepare the Pudding: In a separate bowl, whisk the vanilla instant pudding mix with the reserved pineapple juice until the mixture thickens to a smooth, creamy consistency. This will serve as the dressing for the fruit salad.
- Mix and Chill: Pour the prepared pudding mixture over the combined fruits. Gently stir to coat all fruits evenly. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a lid and refrigerate until chilled and set, ideally for at least 1 hour. Before serving, stir the salad once more to ensure everything is well-mixed.
Notes
- Use ripe bananas to ensure natural sweetness and better texture.
- The pudding mix can be substituted with homemade vanilla pudding if preferred.
- For extra crunch, you can toast the pecans lightly before adding.
- Serve chilled for best flavor and texture.
- This recipe is best enjoyed within 1-2 days for freshness.
