This easy recipe for fruit salad with whipped cream is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. Indeed, it’s a burst of color and freshness that brightens any table, from summer barbecues to holiday brunches. Ultimately, the combination of sweet fruit and a light, fluffy dressing transforms a simple side dish into a decadent dessert.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
To begin with, here are a few reasons you’ll love this recipe:
- Incredibly Quick: In fact, you can whip this up in just 15 minutes.
- Perfectly Creamy: Because the homemade whipped cream is light and airy, it’s far better than store-bought toppings.
- Crowd-Pleasing: Consequently, it’s a favorite for both kids and adults at any gathering.
- Customizable: Additionally, you can easily swap in your favorite seasonal fruits.
Ingredients You’ll Need
First, let’s gather the ingredients you’ll need:
For the Fruit Salad:
- 2 cups Strawberries, hulled and quartered
- 1 cup Blueberries, rinsed
- 1 cup Green Grapes, halved
- 1 cup Red Grapes, halved
- 2 Kiwis, peeled and diced
- 1 (15-ounce) can Mandarin Oranges, drained well
For the Whipped Cream Dressing:
- 1 cup Cold Heavy Whipping Cream
- 1/4 cup Powdered Sugar
- 1 tsp Vanilla Extract
How to Make Fruit Salad with Whipped Cream
- Prep the Fruit: To start, gently wash and dry all fresh fruit. Chop the strawberries, halve the grapes, and dice the kiwis. Pat the drained mandarin oranges gently with a paper towel to remove excess moisture.
- Combine the Fruit: Next, in a large serving bowl, combine the strawberries, blueberries, green grapes, red grapes, kiwis, and mandarin oranges. Gently toss to mix the colors.
- Make the Whipped Cream: Then, in a separate, chilled mixing bowl, add the cold heavy whipping cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract. Using a stand mixer with the whisk attachment or a hand mixer, beat the cream on medium-high speed for 2-4 minutes, or until stiff peaks form. Specifically, stiff peaks mean the cream will hold its shape when you lift the beaters out.
- Fold and Combine: After that, gently scoop the finished whipped cream onto the fruit. Use a spatula to fold the cream into the fruit until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can deflate the cream and break down the fruit.
- Serve: Finally, for the best texture, serve immediately. If you need to make it ahead, keep the fruit salad and whipped cream separate in the refrigerator and combine them just before serving.
Tips for the Perfect Fruit Salad with Whipped Cream
- Use Cold Ingredients: For the fluffiest whipped cream, first, make sure your heavy cream is very cold. You can even chill your mixing bowl and whisk attachment in the freezer for 15 minutes beforehand!
- Pat Your Fruit Dry: Secondly, excess water from washing fruit can make your whipped cream dressing watery. A quick pat with a paper towel makes a huge difference.
- Dairy-Free Option: Of course, this recipe works beautifully with a dairy free heavy whipping cream substitute. Look for brands designed for whipping and follow the same instructions.
- Add-in Ideas: Finally, for a classic “Ambrosia” style salad, you can fold in 1 cup of mini marshmallows and 1/2 cup of shredded coconut.