This Creamy Delicatessen Fruit Salad is a creamy and luscious fruit salad that is perfect for summer and potlucks!
You know that delicious fruit salad you get at your local delicatessen? This is it!
Well, maybe. I don’t know for sure, but this reminds me of it.
When we lived in Minneapolis, we used to frequent a place called Cecils in Highland Park. They had the best Knishes and Hamantaschen. And fruit salad. I could eat it for breakfast, lunch, and dinner – maybe because it tastes like dessert!
The dressing is creamy and sweet, reminiscent of Ambrosia recipes, but minus the marshmallows and Cool Whip. It’s so good! I made a batch just for the four of us and we polished it off the same day. But hey, fresh fruit…so no guilt, right?
Can this be made ahead of time?
You can make this up to 12 hours ahead of time, but I recommend serving it the same day you put it all together. The fruit won’t turn brown if you make it in advance, but the mandarin oranges tend to break down a bit the more they sit because they’re so delicate, and the dressing does tend to loosen a bit.
other salad recipes we love!
This Creamy Delicatessen Fruit Salad is a creamy and luscious fruit salad that is perfect for summer and potlucks!
- 1 1/2 ounces cream cheese , softened
- 1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 4 medium sweet apples (I prefer Pink Lady or Honeycrisp), cubed
- 1 cup green grapes , cut in half
- 1 cup red grapes , cut in half
- 8 ounce can pineapple tidbits or chunks in 100% juice, drained
- 11 ounce can mandarin oranges ,drained
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In a large bowl, whisk (or beat with an electric mixer) together the cream cheese, yogurt, mayonnaise, and sugar until combined and smooth.
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Add in the apples, both grapes, and pineapple; toss to coat. Add in the mandarin oranges and gently fold in with a spatula.
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Enjoy right away or refrigerate until ready to serve.
You can make this up to 12 hours ahead of time, but I recommend serving it the same day you put it all together. The fruit won’t turn brown if you make it in advance, but the mandarin oranges tend to break down a bit the more they sit because they're so delicate, and the dressing does tend to loosen a bit.
Amanda says
Can we make this the night before eating it? Won’t the fruit turn brown?
Amy @Belly Full says
I would recommend serving the same day – the fruit won’t turn brown if you make it in advance, but the dressing does tend to loosen a bit.
Danielle says
Can you use sour cream instead of yogurt.
Ayuni says
What if we use mayonnaise instead of yogurt which are healthier??
Konditoreja says
Do you really need to add mayonnaise? Im just to scared to do it, its just gonna ruin everything, ist it?
Amy @Belly Full says
This recipe calls for mayo. I love mayo. I think it’s a good addition to the dressing. Can you leave it out? Um…sure. But that will render different results in taste and texture. If you hate mayo, though, then maybe that will be a good thing for you? I don’t even know how to answer this….
Christina lee says
I agree
Karly says
This is picnic perfection! Love the greek yogurt addition- great way to lighten things up and add that extra tang!
Sues says
I don’t think I’ve ever had a deli fruit salad… But this certainly looks delicious!
Karen @ The Food Charlatan says
Mmmmm cream cheese yogurt and mayo…sounds like a killer combo :) I’ll take a big bucket of this please!!
Mom says
We love fruit salad and eat often during the summer months. No reason we can’t treat ourselves to this version with that creamy sweet dressing.