Why Make This Recipe
A Sweet Winter Fruit Salad with Cinnamon Vanilla Dressing is perfect for the cold months. It brings together vibrant flavors and colors, making it not only tasty but also eye-catching. The natural sweetness of the fruit pairs beautifully with the warm, comforting taste of cinnamon and the richness of vanilla. This salad is a delightful way to enjoy fresh fruits during the winter season, helping to brighten up any meal or gathering.
How to Make Sweet Winter Fruit Salad with Cinnamon Vanilla Dressing
Ingredients:
- 10 Cuties mandarin oranges
- 4 Fuji apples
- 2 pomegranates
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup water
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 1 vanilla bean, split
Directions:
- Segment the mandarin oranges by slicing off the ends, removing all peel and pith, then carefully slicing between membranes to release individual segments. Set aside.
- Core and dice the Fuji apples into bite-sized pieces. Optionally, toss with a splash of lemon juice to prevent browning.
- Carefully remove the arils from the pomegranates. Score the pomegranate around its equator, pull it apart, and tap the back with a heavy spoon to release the arils.
- In a small saucepan, combine granulated sugar, water, cinnamon sticks, and the split vanilla bean (scrape seeds into the liquid; add the pod too). Bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat, stirring until sugar dissolves. Simmer for 5-7 minutes, then remove from heat and let cool completely, allowing flavors to steep.
- In a large mixing bowl, gently combine the prepared mandarin orange segments, diced apples, and pomegranate arils. Once the cinnamon vanilla syrup has cooled, remove the cinnamon sticks and vanilla bean. Pour the syrup over the fruit and gently toss until all fruit is evenly coated.
- Cover the fruit salad and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld and the salad to chill thoroughly. Serve cold.
How to Serve Sweet Winter Fruit Salad with Cinnamon Vanilla Dressing
This fruit salad is best served chilled. You can present it in a big bowl or arrange it in individual servings for guests. It works well as a refreshing side dish with winter meals or as a light dessert. Feel free to add a sprinkle of extra cinnamon on top for a beautiful finish!
How to Store Sweet Winter Fruit Salad with Cinnamon Vanilla Dressing
To store your Sweet Winter Fruit Salad, keep it covered in the refrigerator. It can stay fresh for up to 2 days. Keep in mind that the fruit’s texture may change slightly over time, but the flavors will still be delicious.
Tips to Make Sweet Winter Fruit Salad with Cinnamon Vanilla Dressing
- Use fresh, ripe fruit for the best flavor and texture.
- Feel free to adjust the sweetness of the dressing by adding more or less sugar to suit your taste.
- Experiment with other seasonal fruits, like pears or berries, to create your own variations.
Variation
You can add nuts or seeds, like chopped walnuts or sunflower seeds, for extra crunch. A drizzle of honey can also replace some of the sugar for a different twist!
FAQs
1. Can I use other types of fruit?
Yes! You can mix in your favorite winter fruits like pears, kiwi, or even berries.
2. Is this salad healthy?
Absolutely! It is packed with vitamins and nutrients from the fresh fruit, and the dressing is a lower-sugar option than many other desserts.
3. Can I make this salad ahead of time?
Yes! You can prepare the salad a day in advance. Just keep it covered in the fridge until you’re ready to serve.
Sweet Winter Fruit Salad with Cinnamon Vanilla Dressing
- Total Time: 52 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A delightful winter fruit salad featuring a blend of fresh fruits and a warm cinnamon vanilla dressing.
Ingredients
- 10 Cuties mandarin oranges
- 4 Fuji apples
- 2 pomegranates
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup water
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 1 vanilla bean, split
Instructions
- Segment the mandarin oranges by slicing off the ends, removing all peel and pith. Carefully slice between membranes to release individual segments. Set aside.
- Core and dice the Fuji apples into bite-sized pieces. Optionally, toss with a splash of lemon juice to prevent browning.
- Carefully remove the arils from the pomegranates by scoring around its equator and tapping the back with a heavy spoon.
- In a small saucepan, combine granulated sugar, water, cinnamon sticks, and the split vanilla bean (scrape seeds into the liquid; add the pod too). Bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat, stirring until sugar dissolves. Simmer for 5-7 minutes, then let cool completely.
- In a large bowl, gently combine the prepared mandarin segments, diced apples, and pomegranate arils. Remove the cinnamon sticks and vanilla bean from the cooled syrup and pour over the fruit. Toss gently to coat.
- Cover the fruit salad and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld.
- Serve cold, optionally sprinkled with extra cinnamon.
Notes
Use fresh, ripe fruit for the best flavor. Substitute with other seasonal fruits if desired.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 7 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Chilling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 200
- Sugar: 25g
- Sodium: 5mg
- Fat: 0g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 51g
- Fiber: 7g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
