Winter Fruit Salad with Cinnamon Vanilla Dressing Recipe
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.
- 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
