Start by washing both the Red Delicious and Granny Smith apples thoroughly. Cut the apples into matchstick-sized pieces. Place the cut apples into a large mixing bowl.

Immediately pour fresh lemon juice over the sliced apples. Toss the apples gently to coat them evenly in the lemon juice and let the mixture sit for about five minutes.

In a separate large mixing bowl, combine the matchstick carrots, diced yellow onion, and dried sweetened cranberries. Stir the ingredients together until they are well mixed.

Carefully add the prepared apple mixture into the bowl with the carrot and onion mixture. Gently fold the ingredients together using a spatula.

In a separate bowl, mix together the vanilla yogurt and mayonnaise. Then, add sugar, salt, and pepper to taste.

Pour the creamy dressing over the salad mixture and gently stir until every ingredient is well coated.

Fold in the drained canned mandarin segments, being gentle while mixing to maintain their integrity.

Cover the bowl and refrigerate the salad for at least three hours, or ideally overnight.

Once chilled, give the salad a gentle stir before serving. Enjoy it cold.