Vintage Marshmallow Salad Recipes

A sweet fruit salad filled with miniature marshmallows and a creamy base, these vintage marshmallow salad recipes are perfect for any occasion! 

collage of vintage marshmallow salad recipes


 

Growing up, at any family gathering you could almost guarantee there was a fruit fluff salad. You know the type- a cream salad full of marshmallows and fruit, more like a dessert really. 

Of course, that’s the big debate isn’t it? Is an easy ambrosia salad considered a side, salad or dessert? No matter how you classify them, they are downright delicious! 

Old-fashioned marshmallow fruit salad recipes are often served for special occasions. Think things like holiday dinners like Thanksgiving dinner or Christmas dinner. An easy marshmallow fruit salad is always a great addition to a holiday table.

Not only is this American classic great for holidays, but it’s also the perfect side dish to bring along to picnics in the summer months. Always a crowd pleaser and super easy to make!

Popular Marshmallow Salad Ingredients

While of course each recipe is different, here is a list of popular ingredients easily found in grocery stores to have on hand to make make a fluffy fruit salad. You could even stir in some Nutella sauce to add a hint of chocolate.

  • Sour cream
  • Maraschino cherries
  • Pineapple tidbits or fresh pineapple
  • Canned fruit (like a can of fruit cocktail)
  • Coconut flakes
  • Fresh berries
  • Creamy Cool Whip
  • White mini marshmallows

The next time you’re looking for a simple side dish or sweet salad, think beyond a classic ambrosia salad recipe. These vintage marshmallow salad recipes are perfect! And you can even make them up ahead of time for your next event.

angled shot of bowl of cherry fluff with spoon in it

Classic Cherry Fluff Recipe

This Classic Cherry Fluff is full of cherry flavor with the addition of pineapple, nuts, and coconut, all enveloped in an airy fluff!
See The Recipe!
overhead of ambrosia salad

Ambrosia (Fruit Salad)

Bursting with fruit, marshmallows and fluffy cream, this Ambrosia Salad comes together in minutes and can be served as a side or dessert!
See The Recipe!
rim view of mandarin orange salad in a white bowl

Orange Fluff Jello Salad

If you love easy and delicious desserts then you need to whip up this quick and nostalgic Orange Fluff Salad. Tasty, unique and fast!
See The Recipe!
Fruit Fluff Salad is a classic side dish for the holidays combining Cherry Fluff, Pineapple Fluff and Cranberry Fluff Salad into one! #fruitfluffsalad #fluffsaladrecipe www.savoryexperiments.com

Fruit Fluff Salad with Cranberry, Cherry and Pineapple

Fruit Fluff Salad is a classic side dish for the holidays combining Cherry Fluff, Pineapple Fluff and Cranberry Fluff Salad into one! 
See The Recipe!
angled shot of cherry fluff topped with marshmallows and cherries

Cherry Fluff without Pineapple Recipe

This EASY Cherry Fluff without Pineapple omits the pineapple, nuts, and coconut, placing the spotlight on the sweet cherries!
See The Recipe!
overhead shot of hawaiian ambrosia salad in a bowl

Hawaiian Ambrosia Fruit Salad

Say Aloha to this Hawaii-inspired Ambrosia Fruit Salad made with whipped topping, coconut, and tropical fruits. It’s THE classic recipe for creating the creamy dessert salad that everyone knows and loves!
See The Recipe!
angled shot of pistachio fluff in bowl

Pistachio Fluff Salad

Pistachio Fluff Salad is a delicious combination of rich creaminess and fruity sweetness. This dish is a family favorite and features pistachio pudding, whipped topping, pineapple, mandarin oranges and mini marshmallows!
See The Recipe!
straight on shot of teal bowl of tropical marshmallow fluff

Tropical Fruit Marshmallow Fluff

This Tropical Fruit Marshmallow Fluff is a vibrant and delicious dessert salad recipe made with instant lemon pudding mix, Cool Whip, an assortment of tropical fruit, shredded coconut, and mini marshmallows!
See The Recipe!
angled shot of berry cheesecake salad in bowl

Berry Cheesecake Salad Recipe

With just a few simple ingredients, this delicious Berry Cheesecake Salad recipe comes together in minutes! Perfectly creamy and sweet!
See The Recipe!
angled shot of bowl of cranberry fluff

Cranberry Salad

This creamy cranberry salad recipe is a blend of fresh cranberries, pineapple, marshmallows, pecans, coconut and apples, all tossed in a creamy dressing. A unique and colorful salad that’s perfect for the holidays!
See The Recipe!
close up of spoonful of pineapple fluff

Pineapple Fluff

Ready to wow your friends and family? Pineapple fluff is a no-bake recipe that comes together in just 3 easy steps with 6 ingredients.
See The Recipe!
angled shot of cup of strawberry fluff

Strawberry Fluff

Need a quick and easy dessert that doesn’t lack on wow factor? Strawberry fluff is a no-bake recipe perfect for family gatherings. I’ve perfected this strawberry fluff recipe into just 3 easy steps you can do in 10 minutes!
See The Recipe!
angled shot of bowl of watergate salad

Watergate Salad

This timeless recipe for Watergate Salad might just be even better than your grandma’s! Retro recipes are coming back in a major way, so show off to all of your friends with this classic 70’s dessert salad. 
See The Recipe!
angled shot of bowl of berry cheesecake salad

Berry Cheesecake Salad

Our Berry Cheesecake Salad is a delicious mix of creamy cream cheese and vibrant, fresh summer berries, all complemented by a light, fluffy whipped topping. This sweet and refreshing salad is an absolute treat that makes any day feel a little more special!
See The Recipe!
spoon full of oreo fluff

Oreo Fluff

This 4 ingredient Oreo fluff recipe is an easy no bake fluff salad, perfect as a side dish or dessert for BBQs, potlucks, and holidays!
See The Recipe!
angled shot of bowl of lemon fluff

Lemon Jello Salad

Lemon Jello Salad deserves a spot on all your summer menus! Zesty lemon, juicy pineapple and coconut come together in an easy recipe that’s perfect as a sweet side dish or chilled dessert.
See The Recipe!
angled shot of bowl of blueberry fluff

Blueberry Fluff Salad

Blueberry fluff is a cool and creamy no-bake dessert salad packed with blueberry flavor. The simple recipe takes 5 minutes to make and is perfect for a potluck, party, or backyard BBQ!
See The Recipe!

Storage and Freezing

Storage: You can store any of these leftovers in an airtight container. It’s best to store this creamy salad in the refrigerator.

Freezing: I would not recommend freezing these salads. The fruit will become soggy upon thawing, thus ruining the consistency of the salad.

Jessica Formicola in her ktichen

About the Author

Chef Jessica Anne Formicola

Jessica the mom, wife and chef behind Savory Experiments. You might see her on the Emmy- nominated TV show Plate It! or on bookshelves as a cookbook author. Jessica is a Le Cordon Bleu certified recipe developer and regularly contributed to Parade, Better Homes & Gardens, The Daily Meal, Mashed and more!

Read More About Jessica

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Questions and Reviews

  1. My family (all except my Male Siamese) dislike marshmallows. Too sweet. If you exchange cottage cheese (large or small curds by preference) it will cut the sweet and allow you to enjoy the other flavors in the fluff salad.

  2. What a fabulous list of classic and new marshmallow salads. I’m really interested in trying the Lemon and Oreo ones.