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Make this fruit salad that everyone talks about - the 'Better Than Sex' salad. Mix cherries, pineapple, and fruit cocktail with sweet cream for a dessert that tastes like heaven. Bring it to parties or make it just because - people always want more.
Why Try This Salad
This fruit salad stands out from the rest. Throw it together fast with stuff from the grocery store. Make it your own way with different fruits. Keep it in the fridge and eat it for days - it just gets better.
What You Need
- Fruit Cocktail: The big can works best
- Crushed Pineapple: Pour off the juice
- Cherry Pie Filling: Whole can
- Bananas: Not too soft
- Sweet Condensed Milk: Makes it rich
- Sour Cream: Gives it kick
- Cool Whip: Let it get soft
- Fresh Fruit: Add what you like
How to Make It
- Mix the Cream:
- Put Cool Whip, sweet milk, and sour cream in a big bowl. Stir until smooth.
- Add Canned Fruit:
- Drain the fruit cocktail and pineapple really well. Add them to the bowl with the cherry filling. Stir gently.
- Put in Fresh Stuff:
- Cut up bananas and any other fresh fruit you want. Mix them in carefully so they don't get mushy.
- Let it Chill:
- Cover the bowl and stick it in the fridge for at least 4 hours. Better if you leave it overnight.
- Time to Eat:
- Scoop it into bowls. Top with extra fruit if you want.
What Makes It Special
This isn't just fruit in cream - it's something better. The sweet cherries mix with pineapple and other fruits to make every bite taste different. The cream gets thick and rich in the fridge. People always ask what's in it because it tastes so good.
Quick and Easy
You don't need to be a cook to make this. Open some cans, mix stuff together, and you're done. No baking, no cooking, no mess. Make it before bed and it's ready for tomorrow's party. Even kids can help make it.
Make It Your Way
Switch things up however you like. Try different fruits each time. Want more cherries? Add them. Like it sweeter? Put in more condensed milk. Not big on bananas? Leave them out. Some people add nuts or coconut on top. It's hard to mess this up.
Keeping It Fresh
Put leftovers in a covered bowl in the fridge. It stays good for about four days. The fruit might get softer, but it still tastes great. Don't try to freeze it - the fruit gets mushy when it thaws. Stir it up before serving again.
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Good Tips to Know
Drain your canned fruit really well or the cream gets runny. Cut bananas right before mixing so they don't turn brown. Want it to look fancy? Save some fresh fruit to put on top when serving. Keep it cold until ready to eat - it tastes better that way.
Party Perfect
This salad feeds a crowd and everyone loves it. Take it to picnics, potlucks, or Sunday dinner. Put it in a clear bowl so people can see all the pretty layers. Set out some spoons and bowls, then watch it disappear.
Frequently Asked Questions
- → What fruit works best?
Any canned fruit's good - drain it first. Fresh berries add pop. Bananas turn brown so add them last. Grapes cut in half work nice. Peaches and pears mix well. Soft fruit might get mushy quick. Oranges can make cream curdle.
- → How long to keep it cold?
Four hours at least - overnight's better. Flavors need time to mix up good. Keep it in the back of the fridge where it's coldest. Don't let it sit out long. Cover it tight so it don't pick up fridge taste.
- → Can I make it way early?
Day ahead works great. Keep fresh fruit separate till serving. Don't mix bananas in early. Cover right on top of the mix - no air gaps. Give it a gentle stir before serving.
- → Rather use real whipped cream?
Whip it thick but not too stiff. Mix quick and gentle. Might not hold up as long. Add a bit of sugar while whipping. Some folks mix both kinds. Watch it don't turn to butter.
- → Need it without milk stuff?
Try coconut cream instead. Lots of fake whipped cream at stores now. Soy milk works if you cook it down thick. Could skip cream, just use juice. Check if your cool whip's really milk-free.
- → Getting too runny?
Drain that fruit real good. Pat it dry even. Less cream might help. Could add more thick fruit. Let it drain while it sits too.
- → Want it prettier?
Save some fruit for the top. Layer it in glass bowls. Put bright fruit on top. Fresh mint looks nice. Could dust with coconut.
- → Taking it somewhere?
Keep it real cold. Pack it on ice. Bring extra topping separate. Don't fill containers too full. Take along fresh fruit to add.
- → Too sweet or plain?
Add sour cream to cut sweet. Squeeze lemon juice in. More fresh fruit helps. Pinch of salt wakes it up. Some folks like nuts on top.
- → Fruit sinking down?
Mix gentle, don't stir hard. Let it sit then top off. Thick cream helps hold fruit up. Some fruits just sink - put them on top last.
- → Need to stretch it?
Add more canned fruit. Extra whipped cream bulks it up. Could add mini marshmallows. More fresh fruit works too. Even jello chunks mix in nice.
Conclusion
Love this? Try our tropical fruit mix. Or make cherry cream salad. Both sweet and cool, perfect for hot days.