Holiday Fruit Salad with Custard Cream Dressing
A festive fruit salad featuring cherries, pineapple, mandarin oranges, pears, grapes, and marshmallows in a rich custard-based cream dressing. The homemade custard sauce, made with egg yolks and fruit juices, creates a luxurious coating that binds all the colorful fruits together. Perfect for holiday gatherings, potlucks, or special occasions when you want an impressive dessert that can be made ahead. The combination of sweet and tangy fruits with fluffy marshmallows and creamy dressing makes this a crowd-pleasing centerpiece that's both elegant and nostalgic.
Ingredients
- 3 egg yolks
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons pineapple juice, from the can of pineapple
- ¼ cup sugar
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 dash salt
- 1 cans Royal Anne cherries, drainedmaraschino cherries1:1sweet
sweeter flavor
- 2 cups pineapple chunks, drained
- 1 large can mandarin oranges, drained
- 1 cans pear chunksapple chunks1:1texture
firmer bite
- 1 cups grapes, sliced
- 2 cups large marshmallows, cut in half
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 bananas, peeled and sliced
Instructions
- 1
Whisk egg yolks, lemon and pineapple juices, sugar, butter, and salt in double boiler until mixture thickens
- 2
Set custard aside to cool completely
- 3
Place all fruit except bananas and marshmallows in large bowl
- 4
Whip the heavy cream until peaks form
- 5
Mix cooled custard sauce into whipped cream until combined
- 6
Add cream mixture to fruit and toss gently to coat
- 7
Refrigerate overnight
- 8
Peel and slice bananas just before serving and add to salad
Tips
Reserve 2 tablespoons of pineapple juice from the canned pineapple for the custard sauce.
Make sure the custard is completely cooled before mixing with whipped cream to prevent deflating.
Add bananas just before serving to prevent browning and maintain texture.
Good to Know
Refrigerate covered for up to 2 days. Add bananas just before serving.
Can be made up to 1 day ahead without bananas. Add bananas just before serving.
Serve chilled in a large bowl with serving spoon.
Common Mistakes
Cool custard completely before adding to cream to avoid deflating the whipped cream.
Add bananas at the last minute to prevent browning and mushiness.
Substitutions
Dairy-Free Swaps
General Alternatives
firmer bite
FAQ
Can I make this without the custard sauce?
Yes, you can skip the custard and just fold the fruit into plain whipped cream, though it won't be as rich and traditional.
What if I don't have a double boiler?
Use a heatproof bowl set over a pot of simmering water, making sure the bottom doesn't touch the water.
How long will this keep in the refrigerator?
The salad keeps for up to 2 days covered, but add fresh bananas just before serving for best texture.