Description
Festive Cranberry Jello Salad offers a classic holiday side dish with tangy cranberry gelatin and creamy cream cheese layers. Guests will savor this nostalgic Midwestern classic that balances sweet and tart flavors in each refreshing bite.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 packages (3 oz/85 g) cherry jell-o
- 20 oz/567 g crushed pineapple (with juice)
- 1 can (15 oz/425 g) whole cranberry sauce
- 1 cup chopped pecans
- 1 ½ cups boiling water
- ¾ cup cranberry or apple juice
- 8 oz/227 g cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- 1 cup sour cream
Instructions
- Dissolve Jell-O: Whisk Jell-O crystals into boiling water until completely melted, ensuring no granules remain.
- Fruit Integration: Fold in crushed pineapple with its juice and whole cranberry preserve, gently breaking down larger cranberry chunks using the back of a spoon.
- Nut and Flavor Blend: Mix most of the pecans and desired fruit essence into the translucent gelatin mixture, distributing ingredients evenly.
- Setting the Base: Pour the crimson mixture into a rectangular dish, creating a smooth, level surface, then refrigerate until fully solidified (approximately 2 hours).
- Cream Cheese Topping: Whip softened cream cheese with an electric mixer until smooth, gradually incorporating powdered sugar and sour cream to create a luxurious, creamy consistency.
- Finishing Touch: Once gelatin has set, spread the cream cheese mixture uniformly across the surface, then sprinkle remaining pecans on top for a delightful crunch and visual appeal.
- Final Chill: Return the dessert to the refrigerator until ready to serve, maintaining its pristine texture and temperature.
Notes
- Dissolve Thoroughly: Ensure Jell-O crystals completely melt in boiling water by stirring vigorously to prevent any undissolved granules.
- Fruit Consistency Matters: Gently break down large cranberry clusters using utensil’s back to create uniform texture throughout the salad.
- Chilling is Crucial: Allow full two hours of refrigeration to guarantee complete gelatin setting and optimal flavor melding.
- Topping Technique: Whip cream cheese at room temperature for smoothest, lump-free cream cheese layer that spreads effortlessly.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Blending
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 9
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 20 g
- Sodium: 180 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 27 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg