Acini de Pepe Fruit Salad (Mom's New York Fruit Salad)

Mom's Creamy New York Fruit Salad - feature | A Reinvented Mom

4.74 from 30 votes

Acini de Pepe Fruit Salad (Mom's New York Fruit Salad)

This vintage fruit salad recipe combines 3 kinds of fruit and tiny acini di pepe pasta with a creamy dressing for a nostalgic, refreshing side dish or dessert. Perfect for family dinners, holidays and potlucks, it's always a hit with guests.

Prep Time10

Cook Time20

Chilling Time4

Total Time4 30

Course: Dessert, Side Dish

Cuisine: American

Servings:

Calories: 242kcal

Author: Lori @ www.AReinventedMom.com

Equipment

Ingredients

1 cup acini di pepe pasta (aka small bead macaroni)
16 ounce can crushed pineapple drain & reserve juice
15 ounce can mandarin oranges drain & reserve juice
8 ounce jar maraschino cherries drain & reserve juice, then halved
2 cups juice reserved from fruits
3/4 cup granulated white sugar
1 egg beaten
2 Tablespoon cornstarch
2 Tablespoons cold water
8 ounces Cool Whip whipped topping thawed

Instructions

Cook acini de pepe according to package directions. Rinse with cold water and drain.
1 cup acini di pepe pasta
In a large bowl, combine drained fruits with the cooked acini de pepe.
16 ounce can crushed pineapple, 15 ounce can mandarin oranges, 8 ounce jar maraschino cherries
Using a medium saucepan, mix reserved juice with sugar. Stir to combine. Bring mixture to a full boil over medium heat.
2 cups juice, 3/4 cup granulated white sugar
Temper the beaten egg by adding 2 Tablespoons of the hot juice mixture and stir. Add the tempered egg to the boiling juice and stir rapidly with a whisk.
1 egg
Mix cold water with the cornstarch. Stir to combine. Add cornstarch mixture to the boiling juice and whisk together. Cook until thickened.
2 Tablespoon cornstarch, 2 Tablespoons cold water
Add thickened juice to cooked acini de pepe and fruit mixture. Stir to evenly distribute the sauce. Refrigerate for several hours until set.
Add thawed Cool Whip to macaroni and fruit mixture. Stir gently to combine.
8 ounces Cool Whip whipped topping
Refrigerate leftovers.

Notes

Plan ahead - needs to chill.
I usually prepare this fruit and pasta mixture the night before and refrigerate overnight.
Store leftover fruit salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. You may need to stir to reincorporate the juices or you can drain them off.

Nutrition