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Nana’s Frozen Fruit Salad Recipe

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★★★★

3.8 from 42 reviews

Nana’s Frozen Fruit Salad is a creamy, sweet, and refreshing dessert perfect for gatherings and warm-weather days. This frozen treat combines a luscious base of cream cheese and whipped heavy cream with a vibrant medley of pineapple, strawberries or raspberries, mandarin oranges, bananas, pecans, and maraschino cherries. The salad is frozen until firm, then served chilled in squares, offering a delightful balance of textures and flavors with a touch of citrus from fresh lemon juice.

Ingredients

Scale

Base

  • 1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened
  • 1 cup heavy cream, whipped to soft peaks
  • 3/4 cup granulated sugar

Fruits & Nuts

  • 1 (20-ounce) can crushed pineapple, drained well
  • 1 (10-ounce) package frozen strawberries or raspberries, slightly thawed and chopped
  • 1 (11-ounce) can mandarin oranges, drained
  • 1/2 cup chopped pecans
  • 1/3 cup maraschino cherries, halved
  • 2 ripe bananas, sliced
  • Juice of 1 lemon

Instructions

  1. Prepare Cream Cheese Mixture: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and granulated sugar together until the mixture is smooth and creamy, ensuring no lumps remain.
  2. Fold in Whipped Cream: Gently fold the whipped heavy cream into the cream cheese mixture until fully combined, creating a light and airy base.
  3. Add Pineapple, Strawberries, and Mandarins: Incorporate the well-drained crushed pineapple, chopped slightly thawed strawberries or raspberries, and drained mandarin oranges into the creamy base. Stir gently to evenly distribute the fruits.
  4. Add Pecans and Cherries: Fold in the chopped pecans and halved maraschino cherries, mixing carefully to ensure these ingredients are evenly spread without breaking them up too much.
  5. Prepare Bananas: In a small bowl, toss the banana slices with the fresh lemon juice to prevent browning. Then gently fold the banana slices into the fruit salad mixture.
  6. Freeze the Salad: Spread the completed fruit salad evenly into a 9×13-inch pan. Cover the pan with plastic wrap or a lid and place it in the freezer for at least 4 hours, or until the salad is firm.
  7. Serve: Before serving, remove the frozen fruit salad from the freezer and allow it to sit at room temperature for 10 to 15 minutes to soften slightly for easier slicing. Cut into squares and serve chilled, optionally on lettuce-lined plates for added presentation.

Notes

  • For a lighter version, substitute cream cheese with lower-fat or Neufchâtel cheese and use a light whipped topping instead of heavy cream.
  • To enhance flavor and texture, toast the pecans before adding.
  • The fruit salad recipe is flexible: try replacing fruits with seasonal options like peaches, mangoes, or mixed berries.
  • For an extra flavor kick, add a splash of rum or orange-flavored liqueur to the mixture.
  • Always drain and pat dry canned and frozen fruits thoroughly to maintain the salad’s creamy consistency.
  • Serving on lettuce-lined plates adds a refreshing crunch and decorative touch.

Keywords: Frozen Fruit Salad, Cream Cheese Fruit Salad, Summer Dessert, No-Bake Dessert, Frozen Dessert, Holiday Fruit Salad

Find it online: https://foodiecara.com/nanas-frozen-fruit-salad-recipe/