Description

Chris’s Hawaiian Fluff Salad is a delightful and refreshing fruit salad that combines crushed pineapple, mandarin oranges, sweet mini marshmallows, shredded coconut, and a creamy mixture of whipped topping, sour cream, and vanilla yogurt. This chilled dessert salad is perfect for summer picnics, potlucks, or any occasion where a light and sweet treat is desired. Garnished with nuts and extra marshmallows, it offers a fluffy texture with tropical flavors.

Ingredients

Scale

Fruits and Mix-ins

1 (20 oz) can crushed pineapple, drained
1 (11 oz) can mandarin oranges, drained
1 cup mini marshmallows
1 cup sweetened shredded coconut
1/2 cup chopped pecans or walnuts (optional)

Creamy Dressing

1 (8 oz) container whipped topping (such as Cool Whip)
1/2 cup sour cream
1/2 cup vanilla yogurt
1 tablespoon lemon juice

Garnish

1/4 cup mini marshmallows (optional)

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

Combine Fruits: In a large mixing bowl, combine the drained crushed pineapple and mandarin oranges to create the fruity base for the salad.
Add Mix-ins: Add the mini marshmallows, shredded coconut, and chopped pecans or walnuts if using. Stir gently to distribute the ingredients evenly without breaking the fruit chunks.
Prepare Creamy Dressing: In a separate bowl, mix together the whipped topping, sour cream, vanilla yogurt, and lemon juice until the mixture is smooth and well blended.
Fold in Dressing: Gently fold the creamy mixture into the fruit and marshmallow mixture. Stir carefully to combine while preserving the texture of the fruit pieces.
Chill the Salad: Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap or a lid and refrigerate for at least 2 hours. This chilling step allows the salad to thicken and the flavors to meld beautifully.
Garnish Before Serving: Just before serving, sprinkle extra mini marshmallows and chopped nuts on top for added texture and visual appeal.
Serve: Serve the salad chilled as a sweet, fluffy tropical dessert or a refreshing side dish at your next gathering.

Notes

For added crunch and flavor, substitute pecans with walnuts or almonds.
To make it less sweet, reduce the amount of mini marshmallows or use plain yogurt instead of vanilla yogurt.
This salad is best served within 24 hours of preparation for optimal freshness.
You can replace the whipped topping with homemade whipped cream for a fresher taste.
If nut allergies are a concern, omit nuts altogether or substitute with seeds like sunflower or pumpkin seeds.