Description
This Cranberry Jello Salad with Cream Cheese Topping is a festive and creamy dish that combines fruity flavors with a smooth, sweet topping. Perfect for holiday gatherings, it features layers of cranberry Jell-O, crushed pineapple, and a delightful cream cheese topping sprinkled with pecans. This dessert-salad is both delicious and visually appealing, making it an ideal choice for holiday tables.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Cranberry Jello:
- 2 (3-ounce) packages cherry Jell-O (or raspberry or cranberry)
- 1 ½ cups boiling water
- 20 ounces crushed pineapple (with juice)
- 1 (15-ounce) can whole cranberry sauce (or 2 cups homemade cranberry sauce)
- 1 cup chopped pecans (divided)
- ¾ cup cranberry or apple juice
For the Cream Cheese Topping:
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- 1 cup sour cream
Instructions
- Prepare the Jello Base: In a large bowl, dissolve both packets of Jell-O in the boiling water, stirring until fully dissolved.
- Add Fruit and Nuts: Add the crushed pineapple (including its juice) and the whole cranberry sauce to the Jell-O mixture. Break up any chunks of cranberry sauce with the back of a spoon. Stir in ¾ cup of the chopped pecans and the cranberry or apple juice, mixing well.
- Set the Jello: Carefully pour the mixture into a 9×13-inch glass dish or a Jello mold. Refrigerate for about 2 hours or until fully set.
- Make the Cream Cheese Topping: In a separate bowl, beat the softened cream cheese with an electric mixer on high speed until smooth. Add the powdered sugar and sour cream, blending until fully combined.
- Assemble the Salad: Once the Jell-O is set, spread the cream cheese topping evenly over the top. Sprinkle the remaining ¼ cup of chopped pecans on top for garnish.
- Serve and Enjoy: Serve this Cranberry Jello Salad chilled, and enjoy the blend of fruity, creamy, and nutty flavors in every bite.
Notes
For best results, use softened cream cheese to ensure a smooth topping. Feel free to substitute the cherry Jell-O with raspberry or cranberry Jell-O to match your flavor preference.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 hours
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Bake
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 24g
- Sodium: 85mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 20mg