Preparation and Cooking Time

• Preparation time: 25 minutes

• Cooking time: 0 minutes

• Chilling time: 2 hours

• Total time: 2 hours 25 minutes

• Servings: 8–10 people

Ingredients

For the fruit salad

• One cup of freshly cut strawberries

  One cup of green, seedless grapes, cut in half

  One cup of red, seedless grapes, cut in half

  Half a cup of fresh blueberries

  One cup of segments of mandarin oranges

  One peeled and chopped kiwi

  One cup of drained pineapple pieces

  One cup of little marshmallows

  Half a cup of chopped apple

  ½ cup chopped peaches, if desired

For the creamy dressing

• 1 cup heavy whipping cream, chilled

• ½ cup sweetened condensed milk

• ½ cup cream cheese, softened

• ½ cup plain or vanilla yogurt

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

• 2 tablespoons powdered sugar (optional)

For the topping

• ½ cup crushed digestive biscuits or graham crackers

• ¼ cup chopped strawberries

• ¼ cup blueberries

• A few whole grapes

• 1 fresh cherry for decoration

• 2 tablespoons crushed nuts (optional)

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the fresh fruits

Begin by washing all the fresh fruits thoroughly under cold running water. Remove any damaged pieces and dry the fruits using a clean kitchen towel.

Remove the green tops from the strawberries and cut them into small bite-sized pieces. Wash the grapes and cut them in half. Peel the kiwi and dice it into small cubes.

Prepare the pineapple by cutting it into small chunks. If using canned pineapple or mandarin oranges, drain the excess juice completely.

Wash the blueberries and keep them whole. Cut the apple into small cubes just before mixing to prevent browning.

Step 2: Prepare the creamy dressing

Take a large mixing bowl and add the softened cream cheese.

Beat it using an electric hand mixer until smooth and creamy. Add the sweetened condensed milk, vanilla yogurt, and vanilla extract.

Mix everything until the ingredients are completely combined and there are no lumps.

The cream cheese gives the dressing a rich texture, while the yogurt adds a pleasant tangy flavor.

Step 3: Whip the heavy cream

Take another chilled mixing bowl and pour in the cold heavy whipping cream.

Add powdered sugar if you prefer a sweeter dessert. Beat the cream using an electric mixer until soft peaks form.

Do not overwhip the cream because it may become grainy.

Gently fold the whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture using a spatula. Continue folding until the dressing becomes light, fluffy, and smooth.

Step 4: Combine the fruits

Take a very large mixing bowl and add the prepared strawberries, green grapes, red grapes, blueberries, mandarin oranges, kiwi, pineapple, and diced apple.

If you enjoy additional fruity flavors, add chopped peaches as well.

Gently toss the fruits together using a large spoon. Be careful not to crush the softer fruits.

Step 5: Add the marshmallows

To the fruit mixture, add the small marshmallows.

The dessert’s smooth, fluffy texture and delectable sweetness come from the marshmallows, which go well with the fresh fruits.

In order to distribute the marshmallows equally across the bowl, gently mix.

Step 6: Add the creamy dressing

Pour the prepared creamy dressing over the mixed fruits.

Using a large spatula, gently fold everything together until all the fruit pieces are coated with the delicious cream mixture.

Make sure the dressing reaches the bottom of the bowl so that the entire salad has a consistent creamy texture.

Avoid stirring too quickly because strawberries and mandarin oranges can break apart.

Step 7: Transfer to a serving dish

Choose a large rectangular glass serving dish or casserole dish.

Carefully transfer the creamy fruit mixture into the dish. Spread it evenly using a spatula.

Arrange a few strawberry slices, blueberries, green grapes, and mandarin orange pieces on top.

This colorful decoration gives the dessert a beautiful appearance and makes it perfect for parties and special occasions.

Step 8: Add the crunchy biscuit topping

Place the digestive biscuits or graham crackers into a clean food bag.

Crush them using a rolling pin until you get a mixture of fine crumbs and small crunchy pieces.

Sprinkle the crushed biscuits evenly over the top of the fruit salad.

For extra flavor, add a little chopped nuts if desired.

For the best crunch, add the biscuit topping shortly before serving rather than before refrigeration.

Step 9: Refrigerate the dessert

Cover the serving dish with plastic wrap or an airtight lid.

Place it in the refrigerator for approximately 2 hours.

Chilling allows the creamy dressing to set slightly and gives the fruits time to blend with the sweet cream.

Keep the dessert refrigerated until you are ready to serve.

Step 10: Garnish and serve

Remove the chilled fruit salad from the refrigerator.

Decorate the top with fresh strawberries, blueberries, whole grapes, and one beautiful red cherry in the center.

Add the crushed biscuit topping if you have not already done so.

Scoop into individual dessert bowls and serve cold.

Your delicious homemade creamy fruit salad is ready to enjoy!

Helpful Tips for the Best Fruit Salad

1. Always use fresh, ripe, and firm fruits for the best flavor.

2. Drain canned fruits thoroughly to prevent the dressing from becoming watery.

3. Make sure the whipped cream is cold before whipping.

4. Fold the cream gently to maintain a light and fluffy texture.

5. Add bananas only shortly before serving to prevent browning.

6. Adjust the condensed milk according to your preferred sweetness.

7. Add crushed biscuits just before serving to keep them crunchy.

Storage Instructions

Fruit salad leftovers can be kept in the fridge for up to two days in an airtight container. Don’t keep it at room temperature for long; instead, keep it cold.

It is better to store the biscuit topping separately and add it when serving. The fresh fruits and creamy dressing may separate after thawing, therefore freezing is not advised.

Final Thoughts

This creamy Christmas fruit salad is a wonderful combination of fresh fruits, fluffy marshmallows, and rich homemade cream. The juicy grapes, sweet strawberries, refreshing blueberries, and mandarin oranges create a beautiful mixture of colors and flavors.

The creamy dressing makes every bite smooth and delicious, while the crushed biscuit topping adds an irresistible crunch.

Whether you prepare it for Christmas, birthdays, family dinners, or holiday celebrations, this easy no-bake dessert is sure to impress everyone at the table.