Cool Down With Frozen Fruit Salad

The weather is warming up so this is a good time for something cool to eat. With spring and summertime parties to plan and host, what could be better than a frozen fruit salad? Nothing, that’s what.

I love this salad. It’s perfect for a lady's luncheon and you can make it ahead of time. Actually, you have to make it ahead of time or it won’t have time to become a frozen salad. It will just be a mess, and that we don’t need.

Frozen Fruit Salad

• 1 can whole cranberry sauce (Cranberry sauce: It’s not just for Christmas anymore.)
• 3 bananas, sliced (You can flip these slices around in some lemon juice if you’re concerned about them turning brown, but if you get them mixed into the salad quickly enough I don’t think it will be an issue. The fewer issues the better.)
• 1-16 oz can crushed pineapple, drained
• 1 cup miniature marshmallows
• ½ cup chopped pecans
• 1-8 oz. container of whipped topping, thawed (You can choose “lite” whipped topping if it makes you feel more virtuous.)
• paper cupcake liners

Prep:
In a large bowl mash cranberries with a fork.

Add drained pineapple, bananas, marshmallows and nuts.

* Fold in whipped topping.

Place cupcake liners into muffin tins.

Spoon mixture into muffin tins and freeze.

When frozen, you may remove individual portions from tins and store in freezer in air tight containers or freezer bags for up to 1 month. 

When ready to serve, remove papers liners and place each serving on a piece of green leaf lettuce.

If desired, you can make this salad in a 13 X 9” pan and then cut it into squares to serve. I prefer the cute little muffin-shaped portions myself, but, hey, it’s your salad.

* Info: How to “fold” ingredients: Use a large mixing spoon to gently lift ingredients from bottom of bowl and place/fold them onto the top of the mixture. Go easy until your mixture is combined. Don’t get impatient and start vigorously stirring the stuff. Don’t worry, it won’t take too long to fold it. The purpose of folding is to entrap some air in the mixture, making it light and fluffy. We’re all about light and fluffy here. 

Makes 12-16 servings.