Dessert

Winter Fruit Salad with Cinnamon Vanilla Dressing Recipe

Byreem everly October 23, 2025October 23, 2025

Introduction

This Winter Fruit Salad with Cinnamon Vanilla Dressing is a refreshing and flavorful way to enjoy seasonal fruits. The warm, spiced dressing adds a cozy touch that perfectly complements the crisp apples, juicy mandarins, and tart pomegranate arils.

A white, oval-shaped plate filled with a mix of fresh fruits. The bottom layer has small, apple pieces with red skin and creamy yellow flesh, cut into chunks. On top of the apples, bright orange tangerine segments are scattered, showing a juicy and slightly translucent texture. Mixed in between are small, shiny, red pomegranate seeds that add vibrant contrast. The fruits are loosely piled, showing their fresh and natural look. The plate rests on a white marbled surface, enhancing the fresh colors of the fruit. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

10 Cuties mandarin oranges, peeled and segmented
4 large fuji apples, cored and diced
2 pomegranates, arils removed
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup water
2 cinnamon sticks
1 vanilla bean, split down the middle and seeds scraped

Instructions

Step 1: In a small sauce pot, combine the sugar, water, cinnamon sticks, vanilla bean seeds, and the split vanilla bean pod. Stir regularly and bring the mixture to a simmer. Once simmering, turn off the heat and let the dressing cool to room temperature, about 1 hour.
Step 2: In a large bowl, combine the mandarin segments, diced apples, and pomegranate arils. Stir the cooled cinnamon vanilla dressing to blend, then pour the desired amount over the fruit. Toss gently to coat the fruit evenly with the dressing. Serve immediately.

Tips & Variations

For extra flavor, chill the dressing before mixing it with the fruit for a refreshing contrast.
Substitute the fuji apples with honeycrisp or gala apples for a sweeter taste.
If vanilla beans are unavailable, use 1 teaspoon of pure vanilla extract added after the dressing has cooled.

Storage

Store leftover fruit salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. The fruit will release some juice over time, so stir before serving. The dressing can be stored separately in the fridge for up to 3 days and reheated gently if desired.

How to Serve

A white rectangular dish holds a colorful fruit mix arranged in layers: cubed light green and red apple pieces on the left and right sides with light green pistachios scattered, ruby red pomegranate seeds piled up in the center and around, and bright orange peeled tangerine segments stacked in the middle front. In front of the dish, on a thick wooden board with a rich brown color, there is a whole tangerine with a blue sticker, sitting next to two wedges of a dark red pomegranate revealing shiny red seeds inside. Below the board on a white marbled surface, there is a whole red pomegranate cut into two pieces with visible seeds and two whole tangerines spaced apart on the right side. The whole scene is well lit, showing the textures of the fruit, wood, and marble clearly. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I prepare the dressing in advance?

Yes, the cinnamon vanilla dressing can be made a day ahead and refrigerated. Just bring it back to room temperature or warm slightly before combining with the fruit.

Can I use other fruits in this salad?

Absolutely! Pears, grapes, or citrus segments like grapefruit can be great additions or substitutes to tailor the salad to your taste.

Winter Fruit Salad with Cinnamon Vanilla Dressing Recipe

★★★★★

4.7 from 95 reviews

This refreshing Winter Fruit Salad with Cinnamon Vanilla Dressing combines the sweet and tangy flavors of mandarin oranges, Fuji apples, and pomegranate arils tossed in a fragrant, homemade cinnamon and vanilla syrup. Perfect for brightening up cold-weather meals, this salad is both vibrant and delicious with a hint of warm spice.

Author: reem
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
Yield: 6 servings 1x
Category: Salad
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: American
Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale

Fruit Salad

10 Cuties mandarin oranges, peeled and segmented
4 large Fuji apples, cored and diced
2 pomegranates, arils removed

Cinnamon Vanilla Dressing

1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup water
2 cinnamon sticks
1 vanilla bean, split down the middle and seeds scraped

Instructions

Prepare the Cinnamon Vanilla Dressing: In a small sauce pot, combine the granulated sugar, water, cinnamon sticks, split vanilla bean, and the scraped vanilla seeds. Stir regularly as you bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, allowing the sugar to dissolve completely and the flavors to infuse. Once simmering, turn off the heat and let the dressing cool to room temperature, approximately 1 hour.
Combine the Fruit: In a large bowl, gently toss together the peeled and segmented Cuties mandarin oranges, diced Fuji apples, and the pomegranate arils ensuring even distribution of all fruits.
Dress the Salad: Stir the cooled cinnamon vanilla dressing briefly to mix any settled ingredients. Pour your desired amount of the dressing over the fruit salad and toss carefully until every piece is evenly coated with the syrup.
Serve: Plate the dressed fruit salad immediately or refrigerate briefly before serving to enjoy a refreshing and cozy winter dish.

Notes

The dressing can be prepared a day in advance and refrigerated; bring it back to room temperature before using.
You can adjust the amount of cinnamon sticks to taste for a stronger or milder spice flavor.
Substitute or add other winter fruits such as pears or kiwi for variety.
Ensure pomegranate arils are fully separated to avoid bitterness from the white pith.
This salad is best served fresh to maintain the texture and vibrancy of the fruit.

Keywords: Winter Fruit Salad, Cinnamon Vanilla Dressing, Mandarins, Fuji Apples, Pomegranate, Healthy Fruit Salad, Winter Recipe

reem everly

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