Cranberry Jello Salad – Cranberry Jello Salad is a delightful dessert that brings together the taste of cranberries, the sweetness of pineapple and the satisfying crunch of pecans. It creates a balance of flavors and textures that make it an excellent choice, for family gatherings, holiday celebrations or as a sweet treat after a meal. The main ingredients for this recipe include sugar-free cherry-flavored gelatin mix, jellied cranberry sauce, crushed pineapple and chopped pecans. You can whip up this Cranberry Jello Salad in 15 minutes and let it chill for 3 hours before serving – it’s both easy to make and absolutely delicious.
The first time I made this Cranberry Jello Salad was during our holiday feast when I wanted to add something refreshing, to our spread. I vividly recall how the vibrant colors of cranberries and pineapple brightened up our dinner table while the pecans provided that crunch with each bite. My husband – who typically isn’t fond of dishes featuring cranberries – was pleasantly taken aback by the blend of sweetness and tanginess in every spoonful; he even asked for seconds! My little one found joy in its jiggly texture and happily joined me in sprinkling the pecans on top. It was a hit and since then it has become a regular part of our family gatherings. It brings back memories. Creates new ones every time we enjoy it together.
What makes this Cranberry Jello Salad truly special?
This Cranberry Jello Salad is particularly noteworthy because of its diet-friendly nature. It uses sugar-free gelatin making it suitable, for those who are watching their sugar intake. What’s great is that it’s also quick and easy to prepare so cooks of all skill levels can make it. You have the flexibility to serve it in a dish or as individual portions depending on the occasion or personal preference. Let’s not forget about its colors and layered textures. They not only make for a delightful taste experience but also enhance the visual appeal of your dining table. It truly becomes a feast, for both your eyes and taste buds. With the addition of pecans this salad offers a full sensory delight.
What You Need To Make This Cranberry Jello Salad Recipe?
Boiling Water: The foundation of our gelatin mix boiling water ensures that the gelatin dissolves completely resulting in a consistent texture, throughout the salad.
Sugar-Free Cherry Flavored Gelatin Mix: By opting for a sugar-free version we can enjoy the delightful fruity taste of cherry gelatin without any added sugars. It becomes a guilt-free treat that satisfies our cravings.
Jellied Cranberry Sauce: This ingredient takes the spotlight adding its tartness and vibrant color that defines cranberries. Its jellied form ensures it blends smoothly into the salad enhancing its texture.
Crushed Pineapple: The tropical sweetness of pineapple beautifully contrasts with the tartness of cranberries creating a balance of flavors. Draining the pineapple before adding it to the salad ensures setting while preserving its burst with every bite.
Chopped Pecans: Introducing some crunchy pecans contributes a nutty flavor that complements both tart components of the salad. They also provide a contrast, in terms of texture making this dish as visually pleasing as it is delicious to consume.
Steps To Make Cranberry Jello Salad:
Step 1: Firstly let’s gather all of our ingredients and place them on the countertop. It’s important to have everything easily accessible, for an enjoyable process.
Step 2: Take a bowl and pour in 2 cups of boiling water. Whisk the cherry-flavored gelatin mix into the boiling water until it completely dissolves resulting in a well blended mixture.
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Step 3: Next, add the jellied cranberry sauce and crushed pineapple. Stir everything together thoroughly until the cranberry sauce breaks down and integrates nicely with the ingredients.
Step 4: Now it’s time to prepare for setting this treat. You can opt for a glass serving dish to serve it communally or choose individual dishes, for a more personalized touch. Pour the mixture into your chosen dish ensuring evenly distribution.
Step 5: To give it that finishing touch sprinkle chopped pecans generously over the top. This will add a crunch and nutty flavor.
Step 6: Now comes the part where we need some patience. Let it chill in the refrigerator until set. If using individual dishes around 3 to 4 hours should be sufficient. However if you’ve opted for a serving dish allow it to chill for 4 hours or even overnight to ensure optimal results.
Step 7: Once everything is in place you can start enjoying this Cranberry Jello Salad!
Tip:
To improve the lusciousness and make it additionally festive you might want to consider adding a whiff of orange liqueur or some grated orange peel, to the blend before it sets. The citrusy touches will heighten the tartness of the cranberries while adding a layer of complexity to the sweetness of the pineapple. This will create a medley that entices your taste buds. Just make sure to blend it so that every morsel carries this twist.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Can I make this Cranberry Jello Salad ahead of time?
Absolutely! This salad is perfect, for making ahead of time. Just follow the recipe instructions. Let it chill in the fridge. It will stay fresh for around 3 to 4 days if properly covered. This make-ahead option is especially convenient for holiday gatherings and potlucks giving you time to focus on other preparations.
What can I do if I don’t have sugar-free gelatin on hand?
No need to worry! You can easily substitute the sugar-free gelatin with a cherry-flavored gelatin mix. Keep in mind that this will increase the sugar content of the dish. It will still provide that delicious fruity flavor and help set the salad properly.
Is it possible to make this recipe nut-free?
Indeed! This recipe is quite flexible. If you or someone you’re serving has a nut allergy or simply prefer a nut-free version you can omit the chopped pecans without compromising the deliciousness of the salad. The cranberries and pineapple still offer a contrast of flavors and textures ensuring a treat, for everyone.
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<Remember it later>
Planning to try this recipe soon? Pin it for a quick find later!
Cranberry Jello Salad
Ingredients
- 2 c boiling water
- 2 0.3 oz packages sugar-free cherry-flavored gelatin mix (such as Jell-O)
- 1 16 oz can jellied cranberry sauce
- 1 20 oz can crushed pineapple, drained
- ½ c chopped pecans
Instructions
- Make sure you have all your ingredients prepared; boiling water, cherry-flavored gelatin mix, jellied cranberry sauce, drained crushed pineapple and chopped pecans.
- In a mixing bowl combine the boiling water (2 cups) with the cherry-flavored gelatin mix (two packages weighing 0.3 oz each). Stir thoroughly until the gelatin completely dissolves.
- Next, add the jellied cranberry sauce (16 oz can) and drained crushed pineapple (20 oz can), to the gelatin mixture. Mix everything together until well combined.
- You can pour the mixture into a glass serving dish or divide it among 12 individual serving dishes based on your preference.
- Sprinkle the chopped pecans (½ cup) over the top of the gelatin mixture.
- Now place either the serving dish or individual dishes in the refrigerator. Let it chill and set completely for about 3 to 4 hours, for servings or 4 hours to overnight if using a serving dish.
- Fully set your Cranberry Jello Salad is ready to be served! Enjoy this combination of cranberries, sweet pineapple and crunchy pecans in this unique and festive dish!
Notes
I’m Bitty, owner of nodashofgluten.com, where I share simple, delicious recipes for all tastes, including gluten-free. Check out my “About Me” page for more info!
