Apple Cranberry Fruit Salad

Apple Cranberry Fruit Salad 12 ounce package fresh cranberries 1/2 cup water 1 cup granulated sugar 2 red apples chopped 1 apple (I like yellow or green), chopped 11 ounce can mandarin oranges , drained 2 bananas ,sliced 2 teaspoons lemon juice 1 - 2 cups mini marshmallows (optional) walnuts or pecans (optional) Whipped Cream , for topping (optional) In a medium saucepan combine the water and sugar. Add cranberries and cook on medium high, until you start to hear the cranberries pop. Cook for 1 more minute. Remove from heat. Refrigerate for several hours or overnight. In a large bowl toss apples, mandarin oranges, and banana together. Add a little bit of lemon juice to keep the fruit from browning. Drain most of the juice from the cranberries. Add them to mixture along with marshmallows and nuts. Toss to combine. Dollop with fresh whipped cream, if desired. Make Ahead Tip: Cook cranberries as directed and refrigerate overnight. Combine the other fruits (not marshmallows) and refrigerate overnight, separately. Stir the two together before serving, adding marshmallows and topping with whipped cream if desired.