Confetti Salad

Confetti Salad: A Colorful, Creamy Classic That Brightens Any Table

Confetti Salad is the kind of cheerful, retro-inspired dish that instantly adds color and charm to a meal. With its playful mix of pastel mini marshmallows, juicy fruit, and creamy dressing, this sweet salad is light, fluffy, and irresistibly nostalgic. Often served at potlucks, family gatherings, and holiday dinners, it’s a no-bake recipe that comes together quickly yet feels festive and special.

Below, you’ll find a detailed, step-by-step guide to making Confetti Salad from scratch, along with helpful tips to ensure perfect texture and flavor every time.

What Is Confetti Salad?

Confetti Salad is a sweet dessert-style salad made with whipped topping, fruit, marshmallows, and sometimes coconut or chopped nuts. Its name comes from the colorful “confetti” effect created by the pastel marshmallows and bright fruit pieces scattered throughout the creamy base.

Unlike traditional leafy salads, this version is closer to a fluffy dessert, but it’s often served alongside savory dishes for contrast.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Here’s a classic ingredient list. You can easily adjust it to your taste.

• 2 cups pastel mini marshmallows
• 1 cup canned mandarin oranges, drained
• 1 cup crushed pineapple, well drained
• ½ cup maraschino cherries, drained and chopped
• ½ cup sweetened shredded coconut (optional)
• ½ cup chopped pecans or walnuts (optional)
• 1 cup sour cream
• 1 cup whipped topping (such as Cool Whip), thawed

Important Tip: Drain all canned fruit very well. Excess liquid can make the salad watery.

Step-by-Step Method

Step 1: Prepare the Fruit

Start by draining the mandarin oranges, crushed pineapple, and maraschino cherries thoroughly.

• Place the fruit in a colander and let it sit for several minutes.
• Gently pat dry with paper towels if needed.

This step prevents the dressing from becoming too thin and helps maintain a fluffy texture.

If using cherries, chop them into smaller pieces for even distribution and better “confetti” appearance.

Step 2: Mix the Creamy Base

In a large mixing bowl:

1. Add the sour cream.
2. Fold in the whipped topping gently using a spatula.

Use a folding motion instead of stirring aggressively. This keeps the mixture light and airy rather than dense.

Mix until smooth and fully combined, with no streaks of sour cream remaining.

Step 3: Add the “Confetti”

Now comes the fun part.

1. Add the mini marshmallows to the creamy mixture.
2. Gently fold in the drained pineapple, mandarin oranges, and chopped cherries.
3. If using coconut or nuts, fold them in last.

Work slowly and carefully so the fruit pieces stay intact. The colors should look evenly distributed throughout the fluffy mixture.

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