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Mom's Favorite Fruit Salad Recipe

This nostalgic fruit salad recipe, passed down from a middle school head cook, is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser! Perfect for family gatherings, potlucks, or school events (it was a HUGE hit with my son's class!), this vibrant and refreshing dessert requires minimal cooking. The sweet tapioca, creamy pudding, and juicy fruit create a delightful combination that everyone will love. Get ready for rave reviews!

Prep Time 20 mins
Cook Time 135 mins
Calories 198.9 kcal
Protein 4g
Rating 4.5 (2 Reviews)
Mom's Favorite Fruit Salad 16

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Chef Forktionary, author of this recipe

Recipe adapted from Food.com. Standardized by Forktionary.

Ingredients for Mom's Favorite Fruit Salad

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How to Make Mom's Favorite Fruit Salad

  1. Drain the fruit cocktail (20 ounces), reserving 1/2 cup of the juice.
  2. In a medium saucepan, combine reserved fruit juice, 1 (3 ounce) package of instant vanilla pudding mix, and 1 (3 ounce) package of strawberry jello.
  3. Whisk until smooth.
  4. Add 1/2 cup quick-cooking tapioca.
  5. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly, for 1-2 minutes, or until the liquid is clear and the tapioca is cooked through.
  6. Remove from heat and stir in 1 cup of mini marshmallows until melted and fully incorporated.
  7. Let the pudding mixture cool completely to room temperature. (Stir occasionally to prevent a skin from forming).
  8. In a large bowl, gently combine 2 cups of your favorite fruits (such as mandarin oranges, pineapple chunks, and grapes).
  9. Pour the cooled pudding mixture over the fruit.
  10. Gently fold to combine.
  11. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or preferably overnight, to allow flavors to meld and the salad to chill thoroughly.

Nutrition Information (Approximate per serving)

Sodium

4 g

Sugar

152g

Fat

0g

Carbs

16g

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Salads Sweets & Sides Desserts The Americas American Southern Vegetarian Gluten Free Summer Recipes Holiday Recipes

Recipe Tags (Choose a tag and find related recipes!)

Time To Make Course Main Ingredient Preparation Salads Fruit 4 Hours Or Less