Fruit salad is one of my favorite things to make – it can be a snack, a dessert, even breakfast. What I love about this recipe is the beautiful sauce that the vanilla pudding makes when mixed with fruit juice. It takes a regular bowl of fruit salad and elevates it to fabulous!
The vanilla pudding adds just enough thickness to the fruit juice to coat each piece of fruit and creates a bit of sauce that holds all the fruit flavors. This does not last long in our house. My daughter loves it with Greek yogurt and a little granola in the morning, my son and husband love it on ice cream, angel food cake, or pound cake, and I love the simplicity of putting some in a bowl and topping it with a little whipped cream.
The lemon zest adds a brightness in flavor that is perfect – I think lemon is key in this recipe, but lime zest also works.
This recipe is always a hit – potlucks, picnics, dinner parties … everyone loves it!
Enjoy!
Ingredients
2 cups strawberries sliced
2 cans sliced peaches (15 oz. each) – one can reserve the juices, the other one drained
1 can mandarin orange segments (11 oz.) – drained
1 can pineapple chunks (15 oz.) – drained
2 bananas sliced
1 green or red apple – cored and diced
1 ½ cups blueberries – washed and drained
1 ½ cups purple grapes – washed and cut in half
1 lemon
3 tablespoons instant vanilla pudding mix (regular or sugar free)
Directions
Zest the lemon.
Drain one of the cans of peaches and capture the juices into a large bowl. Place the peaches in a separate bowl.
Stir the 3 Tbsp. vanilla pudding mix into the juice.
Drain remaining can of peaches, mandarin oranges, and pineapple chunks. (The juice is not necessary from these other canned fruits.)
Add all fruit and lime zest to the pudding mixture. Gently stir to combine.
Chill at least 30 minutes before serving.
Notes
• Feel free to substitute fruits: I love adding raspberries and blackberries when they are in season! Also, add a bit of coconut flakes if you like.
• Use fresh fruit over canned if you have it on hand. Just make sure that you reserve the juices from one can of fruit to mix with pudding. It does not have to be peaches if you are using fresh peaches.
• If using fresh peaches, peel them, and toss with a small amount of lemon juice or lime juice to prevent them from turning brown.
• Serving Ideas: Serve in a bowl and top with Cool Whip or whipped cream; spoon over angel food cake, pound cake, or serve over ice cream.
• If you would like extra sauce to drizzle (it soaks into angel food cake beautifully), reserve juice from another can of fruit and mix in 3 Tbsp. vanilla pudding mix and stir well.
• Lime zest may be substituted for lemon zest. Mixing the two together adds a lovely citrus flavor.
• If making ahead of time, wait to add the bananas so they do not turn brown or get mushy.
• Vanilla pudding is the standard, but other flavors will work as well. I have used banana pudding and it was wonderful.
Conclusion:
“Fruit Salad to Die For” truly lives up to its name as a heavenly creation that brings pure delight to every bite. As one of my all-time favorite recipes to make, it never fails to impress with its versatility and mouthwatering flavors. The star of the show is undoubtedly the beautiful sauce that the vanilla pudding forms when combined with fruit juice. This magical touch elevates a regular bowl of fruit salad to something truly extraordinary and fabulous.
The texture of the fruit salad is nothing short of perfection, with the vanilla pudding adding just the right amount of thickness to coat each piece of fruit and create a luxurious sauce that harmonizes all the flavors into a delightful symphony of taste. It’s no surprise that this fruit salad disappears quickly in my household. Each member of the family has their favorite way of savoring it, whether it’s paired with Greek yogurt and granola in the morning, enjoyed over ice cream, angel food cake, or pound cake, or simply served in a bowl with a dollop of whipped cream on top.
The addition of lemon zest contributes a burst of brightness to the overall flavor profile, making it an essential element in this recipe. While lemon zest brings its unique charm, lime zest also offers an equally appealing twist for those seeking variation.
Wherever I serve this fruit salad, it never fails to garner praises and steal the spotlight at potlucks, picnics, dinner parties, and any gathering. Its heavenly taste and sumptuous texture make it an absolute favorite among friends and family.
So, I invite you to indulge in the magic of “Fruit Salad to Die For” and savor its unforgettable blend of flavors. Embrace its versatility, enjoy its refreshing taste, and cherish the smiles it brings to every occasion. Whether you savor it as a snack, a dessert, or a scrumptious breakfast treat, this fruit salad is guaranteed to be a showstopper that will leave everyone wanting more. So, whip up this delectable delight and treat yourself and your loved ones to a fruit salad experience like no other. Enjoy the heavenly pleasure of “Fruit Salad to Die For” and let it become a cherished favorite that graces your table with joy and satisfaction!