Description
Midwestern cranberry fluff salad combines marshmallow, whipped cream, and tart cranberries in a nostalgic holiday side dish. Quick preparations and creamy textures make this classic potluck favorite perfect for family gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups (240 milliliters) whipped topping
- 1 cup (240 grams) sour cream or plain Greek yogurt
- 1 cup (200 grams) granulated sugar
- 12 oz (340 grams) fresh or frozen cranberries
- 1 can (8 oz / 225 grams) crushed pineapple, drained
- 2 cups (100 grams) mini marshmallows
- ½ cup (60 grams) chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)
- Zest of 1 orange (optional)
Instructions
- Cranberry Preparation: Pulse cranberries in a food processor until finely chopped, creating a vibrant ruby-colored foundation for the salad.
- Sugar Maceration: Blend chopped cranberries with granulated sugar and refrigerate for at least two hours, allowing flavors to intensify and soften.
- Cream Whipping: Whip heavy cream with an electric mixer until stiff peaks form, incorporating vanilla extract for aromatic depth.
- Ingredient Fusion: Drain pineapple thoroughly, then combine with macerated cranberries, mini marshmallows, and optional nuts, ensuring even ingredient distribution.
- Cream Integration: Delicately fold whipped cream into the fruit mixture, maintaining a light, airy texture while preserving the cream’s delicate structure.
- Chilling and Setting: Transfer salad to a serving container, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for two hours to harmonize flavors and soften marshmallows.
- Presentation: Before serving, optionally garnish with additional cranberries, marshmallows, or nuts to enhance visual appeal and provide textural contrast, then serve chilled as a refreshing side dish or dessert.
Notes
- Drain Pineapple Thoroughly: Pat crushed pineapple with paper towels to remove maximum moisture, preventing a soggy salad texture.
- Macerate Cranberries Patiently: Let sugar-coated cranberries rest in refrigerator for full two hours to develop deeper, more complex flavor and soften tartness.
- Whip Cream Strategically: Use cold cream and chilled mixing bowl for faster, more stable whipped peaks that hold structure when folded into fruit mixture.
- Customize for Dietary Needs: Swap regular marshmallows with vegan alternatives, use coconut cream for dairy-free version, or replace sugar with honey for a natural sweetener option.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 3 hours
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Blending
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 9
- Calories: 208
- Sugar: 25 g
- Sodium: 70 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 34 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 10 mg