Description

Chris’s Hawaiian Fluff Salad is a delightful, sweet, and creamy fruit salad perfect for gatherings and potlucks. Combining tropical fruits like pineapple and mandarin oranges with fluffy marshmallows, shredded coconut, and a creamy mixture of whipped topping, sour cream, and vanilla yogurt, this salad is chilled to perfection and garnished with extra marshmallows and nuts for a fun, textured finish.

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)
1/4 cup mini marshmallows (for garnish, 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

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Instructions

Combine Fruits: In a large mixing bowl, combine the drained crushed pineapple and mandarin oranges to create the fruity base of the salad.
Add Mix-ins: Add the mini marshmallows, shredded coconut, and chopped pecans or walnuts (if using). Stir gently to evenly distribute these ingredients without breaking the fruit pieces.
Prepare Dressing: In a separate bowl, mix together the whipped topping, sour cream, vanilla yogurt, and lemon juice until the mixture is smooth and well combined, creating a creamy dressing.
Fold Dressing into Fruit: Gently fold the creamy whipped topping mixture into the fruit and marshmallow mixture. Take care with the stirring to keep the fruit pieces intact and maintain the fluffiness.
Chill the Salad: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a lid and refrigerate the salad for at least 2 hours. This chilling time helps the salad thicken and allows flavors to meld.
Garnish and Serve: Before serving, garnish the salad with extra mini marshmallows and chopped nuts if desired to provide a pop of texture and visual appeal. Serve chilled.
Enjoy: Savor this sweet, fluffy, and tropical salad as a refreshing side or dessert at any occasion.

Notes

Make sure to thoroughly drain canned fruit to prevent the salad from becoming watery.
For a nut-free version, simply omit the chopped pecans or walnuts.
The salad is best when allowed to chill for at least 2 hours but can be refrigerated overnight for even better flavor melding.
Use full-fat sour cream and yogurt for the creamiest texture.
Optional garnish adds extra crunch and visual appeal but can be skipped if desired.