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Top-down view of fluffy Better Than Sex Fruit Salad with vibrant cherries and mandarin oranges. (Better Than Sex Fruit Salad)

Better Than Sex Fruit Salad: The Ultimate Fluffy Potluck Classic

A decadent, retro dessert salad featuring a thick, aerated whipped cream base loaded with mandarin oranges, maraschino cherries, mini marshmallows, and crushed pineapple, finished with a generous dusting of shredded coconut.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Servings: 10 cups
Course: Dessert, Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Calories: 285
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 2 cups heavy whipping cream cold (480ml)
  • 1/2 cup powdered sugar 60g
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract 5ml
  • 20 oz crushed pineapple well-drained (565g)
  • 15 oz mandarin orange segments drained (425g)
  • 10 oz maraschino cherries stemmed and patted dry (280g)
  • 2 cups mini marshmallows 100g
  • 1 cup shredded coconut sweetened (75g)

Equipment

  • 1 Stand mixer or hand mixer Essential for whipping cream to stiff peaks.
  • 1 Fine-mesh Sieve To drain pineapple thoroughly.
  • 1 Rubber Spatula For gentle folding.

Method
 

Prep and Whip
  1. Thoroughly drain the pineapple, oranges, and cherries. Sieve the pineapple to remove all excess juice to ensure a thick salad texture.
  2. In a cold bowl, beat heavy cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla on high until stiff peaks form and the mixture is thick and aerated.
  3. Gently fold in the drained crushed pineapple, 3/4 cup of coconut, marshmallows, oranges, and cherries using a rubber spatula.
  4. Transfer to a white ceramic bowl. Dust with remaining 1/4 cup coconut. Chill for at least 1 hour before serving.

Notes

Ensure all fruit is completely dry to prevent a runny salad.
Chill the bowl and beaters for 15 minutes before whipping the cream for best results.