Strawberry Banana Fluff ~ Light, Fluffy Pudding Loaded with Fresh Strawberries, Bananas and Marshmallows!
Lets talk salad right now ok?
I guess it is a controversial subject and I was not aware of this in my “pre-blogging” days. Growing up a salad could range from lettuce, pasta, pudding, Jell-O you get the drift, but when I started blogging this thinking was quickly shattered. Every time I post a “salad” like this people get nasty, they get argumentative and I’m just thinking enjoy the stuff! Let it go! Stuff your face! Life is to short. It’s food peeps. Get my drift?
I agree, it’s not really a typical salad. I mean salads are usually green, light and healthy and I love those, but growing up in the Mid-West we have a different view and in the salad category there is a thing call a Jell-O salad which really doesn’t need to include Jell-O it can be a recipe just like this. When asked to bring a salad to an event I always ask for more information. Do they made a lettuce salad? Maybe a pasta salad? Or just maybe, a salad like this one or my Snicker Salad? *GASP*
If you don’t call this a salad I’m curious to what you would call it? Would it be a dessert? Would it be a treat? Would it be a sweet? Would it be a…wait that kind of rhymes.
What I’m trying to say is that I really don’t care what you call this recipe. Whatever floats your boat is fine with me. As long as you try it. That’s a must for me! Just try it!
I made this delicious “salad” that is stuffed full of fresh strawberries, marshmallows and bananas for Miss K’s 2nd birthday and it was a hit with young old alike. My hubs was a little leery when he tried it right when I was making it because of the marshmallows but after it sat in the fridge a few hours and the marshmallows softened up a bit, not that they were hard to begin with, he really enjoyed it.
You see, salads like this are about the only thing my hubs will touch. He is not a fan of lettuce salads at all. It has “weird” stuff in it. I blame this on his father. I hope Miss K does not inherit this learned behavior. I can sneak a pasta salad by him as long as there isn’t something like celery or broccoli in it because that would probably kill him, or he thinks. Someday, just someday maybe he’ll come around to my salads, but I’m not going to hold my breath, his father still haven’t come around.
So, go outside your “salad” box thinking and try this sweet treat of a salad the next time you need a side dish!
Did you make this? If you snap a photo, please be sure tag me on Instagram at @julieseatsandtreats or #julieseatsandtreats so I can see your yummy treat!
Strawberry Banana Pudding Fluff
Ingredients
- 1 3.4 oz box instant vanilla pudding
- 2 c. milk
- 2 c. chopped strawberries
- 2. c mini marshmallows
- 2 bananas sliced
- 1 8 oz carton Cool Whip
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, mix together the vanilla pudding and milk according to package directions. Fold in Cool Whip until thoroughly mixed. Stir in strawberries, marshmallows and bananas. Mix well.
- Refrigerate until serving.
Nutrition Information
Craving more salads?
Layered Strawberry Salad ~ Light and fluffy layers of Strawberry Jell-O! Always a crowd pleaser!
Cookie Salad ~ A tried and true family pleasing salad!
Strawberry Tapioca Salad ~ Light Fluffy Strawberry Salad stuffed with Tapioca!
Malinda says
Absolutely love how easy this was to make!! The kids now make it for dessert often!! Thanks for sharing!
Michelle Sperr says
How fun to have your kids helping cook in the kitchen Malinda! Way to go!
Alison LaFortune says
First time trying this with strawberries! So good! Goes with any summer dish.
Michelle Sperr says
One of our favorite summer side dish too! Glad you enjoyed the recipe!
Danielle says
This looks fantastic. I cant wait to make this for our next family get together!
Michelle Sperr says
Thanks for sharing your comment Danielle. Hope this is a real crowd pleaser!
Val in MN says
I pinned this under “Easy desserts and treats” but as a born and raised Minnesotan, I still toss a “jello salad” on the holiday dinner table! I’m not even ashamed to admit I LOVE “church” cookbooks, with all their canned soup casseroles and jello salads.
Julie Evink says
Haha me too! Sometimes you just go with what works!
Mrs. Leal from CookingHat says
It is definitely not the traditional salad I’m used to. Would you eat it with you main course e.g. chicken dish? or after it?
Either way it look delicious! And very simple to make.
Julie Evink says
We usually eat it with the main meal but it’s whatever your preference is!
JUDY says
I just made this and it delicious, making for a family reunion for tomorrow. Can’t be too bad, fruit and milk, what more could you ask for LOL JUDY
Julie Evink says
Haha so true Judy! Can’t really go wrong 🙂
Jeni says
This looks like the BEST combo! I am super excited to make this!
Julie Evink says
Thanks Jeni!
Matt Robinson says
What an awesome summer treat, it looks insanely good and I know my boys would flip for this!!
Julie Evink says
It is a kid please Matt! And a husband pleaser 🙂
Thalia @ butter and brioche says
another great recipe julie! looks delicious – definitely one i will be recreating as a dessert this week. thanks for the inspiration!
Julie Evink says
Thanks Thalia! Enjoy!
Pat Hood says
I like your recipes
Julie Evink says
Thanks Pat!
Mary says
Julie: Great blog topic! I lived in the Midwest Iowa & Nebraska) until my late-20s when I moved to the San Francisco Bay area (I’m now in my late-40s). You are correct, the Cool Whip/Marshmallow/Fruit Salad is a “Midwest Thing”. As a child I ate this type of Salad made with Cool Chip, Marshmallows, and a large can of Fruit Cocktail. My California born & raised husband had never even heard of such a Salad until I mentioned it when we were talking about foods we grew up on. If I were to make this recipe, it would be to use as graham cracker crust pie filling.
Julie Evink says
Ooooo yes it does sound amazing in a graham cracker crust too! I love finding out all my “normal” things but not be so normal elsewhere 🙂
tanya says
You are right about different salads! My in laws would love this (kids would too!) There isn’t a meal that doesn’t include a Jello salad on the side! What a fun recipe Julie!
Julie Evink says
Haha and you still think it’s ridiculous 🙂
Vick says
I grew up in the Midwest (IN) and my mom called this a salad too! She made one with apples, marshmallows, nuts wish I had her recipe we had it only at Thanksgiving and Christmas! 🙂
Julie Evink says
Oh yes that sounds like a Midwest staple “salad” doesn’t it?!