Fresh Fruit Salad with Caramel Cream Dressing

 Tart, flavourless winter berries and fruit are jazzed up by tossing them in a creamy caramel dressing. Elevating that often less flavourful winter fruit to new heights!

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My kiddos love almost every kind of fruit. As a Mom, that makes me super happy. I'd rather have them reach for a piece of fruit, than for candy. During the winter, fresh fruit can get a little dull and boring. Imported berries and tropical fruits are so expensive, so we find ourselves eating more apples, pears, oranges and bananas. Sometimes we get lucky and we can find some reasonably priced berries, but I find they aren't as sweet as the local berries we get in the summer. When I buy a batch of berries that aren't that sweet, I like to turn them into a fruit salad, with tons of other fruit.

On my last trip to the store, I found some strawberries and blueberries that were on sale. I brought some home, but the kiddos weren't too crazy for them, saying they were a bit tart. I decided to throw them together with some other fruits I had on hand. My kiwi was also tart, so I figured they could also do with a little makeover. I had some caramel, that I had bought as a treat, so I warmed it in the microwave for 15 seconds to make it easier to pour. I also had a bit of whipped cream leftover from my daughter's birthday, which I threw in the salad as well. The two made a wonderful creamy dressing, with a deep rich flavor. It coated the fruit and added a wonderful sweetness, without being too sweet. The kids enjoyed the fruit I had purchased and nothing went to waste. This fruit salad makes the perfect side dish with waffles or pancakes, or a fresh delicious dessert after dinner. It comes together in under 15 minutes and brings those flavourless berries to a higher level of taste.

What fruits can I use in fruit salad?

You can use pretty much any fruit you have on hand. Berries, apples, pears, oranges, exotic fruits like mango, dragon fruit, lychee. The possibilities are endless! Fruit salad is a healthy way to use up any fruit that may be going bad in your refrigerator! 

How long will fruit salad keep?

Depending on the fruit you use, fruit salad will hold up in the fridge for 2-4 days. Softer fruit like sliced strawberries, bananas and mango will soften over time, while more sturdy fruit such as apple, oranges and blueberries/cherries will last longer in this creamy dressing.

How to make the perfect fruit salad

Fruit salad is a very forgiving dish. You can pretty much use any fruit you enjoy, in any combination imaginable. It can be a simple as berries tossed with a bit of lime juice and sugar, to a hearty winter fruit salad such as this one. 

Choose fruit your family loves.

Choose fruit that aren't too watery. Water melon for example will weep and lead to a very wet fruit salad. Choose fruit that are perfectly ripe. Berries that are too ripe aren't the best in fresh fruit salad. You want that firm bite and pop when eating your fruit salad. 

Get creative with dressings. Use citrus juices, caramel sauces, whipped cream. Fruit salad is one of those recipes where there aren't any strict rules.

Fruit is packed packed with vitamins, nutrients and fibre that help support a healthy diet. Generally low in calories and high in fibre, fruit can help in loosing weight. Some fruits are linked to lowering blood pressure, lowering the risk of diabetes and heart disease. So, fruit salad is a delicious way to get those 4-5 servings per day!

Equipment needed for this recipe

• serving bowl
• sharp pairing knife
• cutting board
• mixing bowl
• spatula

Fresh Fruit Salad with Caramel Cream Dressing

1 pint of blueberries
1 Granny Smith apple, peeled and chopped
1 C strawberries, chopped
1 C red grapes, sliced in half
3 kiwi, peeled and chopped
3 clementine oranges, peeled and separated into segments
2 oz caramel dip (found in the produce section)
1/2 C real whipped cream (can sub cool whip)

Peel and chop all fruit and combine into a large bowl.

Heat the caramel dip in the microwave for 10-15 seconds. Pour onto the fruit, along with the whipped cream. Stir to combine.

Pour into a serving bowl and cover with plastic wrap.

Refrigerate for 30 minutes and stir again before serving.

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