Millionaire Cranberry Salad - Rich Creamy Holiday Recipe

Welcome, fellow food lovers, to a recipe that promises to elevate your holiday table from simply delicious to absolutely unforgettable: the Millionaire Cranberry Salad. This delightful creation isn’t just a side dish; it’s a vibrant, creamy, and wonderfully textured experience that perfectly balances the sweetness of fruits with a luscious, decadent dressing. If you’re looking for a show-stopping addition to your festive feast that’s surprisingly easy to make, you’ve found it right here.

This salad combines the tartness of cranberries, the crunch of nuts, the sweetness of pineapple, and the richness of whipped cream and cream cheese into a harmonious blend that will have everyone asking for the recipe. It’s a true celebration in every bite, making it the ideal companion for your holiday roasts, poultry, or any special gathering.

JUMP TO: show

Key Ingredients for Millionaire Cranberry Salad

Crafting this magnificent salad requires a careful selection of ingredients, each playing a crucial role in its unique flavor and texture profile. Here’s what you’ll need:

1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened: Essential for that smooth, rich, and tangy foundation of the dressing. Ensure it’s softened to room temperature for easy blending.
½ cup granulated sugar: Provides the perfect amount of sweetness to balance the tartness of the cranberries.
1 teaspoon vanilla extract: Enhances the overall flavor profile with its warm, aromatic notes.
1 (12 ounce) can whole berry cranberry sauce: The star of the show, offering a beautiful tart and sweet cranberry flavor, along with a lovely ruby-red hue.
1 (20 ounce) can crushed pineapple, drained very well: Adds a sweet, tropical tang and juicy texture. Draining it thoroughly is key to prevent a watery salad.
1 ½ cups mini marshmallows: Contributes a delightful soft, chewy texture and additional sweetness.
1 cup chopped pecans or walnuts: For that essential crunch and a nutty depth of flavor. Lightly toasting them beforehand can enhance their flavor.
1 cup heavy whipping cream, chilled: Whipped to perfection, it forms the airy, luxurious backbone of the dressing, bringing all the ingredients together in a cloud of creaminess.
Optional garnish: Fresh cranberries or mint sprigs: For a festive touch and a pop of color.

How to Make Millionaire Cranberry Salad

This Millionaire Cranberry Salad is a truly effortless dish to prepare, making it a perfect candidate for holiday menus when time is often at a premium. Its ease lies in minimal cooking and straightforward mixing. The result is a deliciously rich, creamy, and satisfying salad that perfectly balances sweet and tart notes with delightful textures from the nuts and marshmallows. You’ll be amazed at how quickly you can create such a spectacular centerpiece for your meal. The total preparation time, including chilling, is approximately 3 hours, with active prep taking just about 20 minutes.

Step-by-Step Instructions:

Prepare the Cream Cheese Mixture: In a large mixing bowl, using an electric mixer, beat the softened cream cheese, granulated sugar, and vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth and creamy. Ensure there are no lumps of cream cheese.
Incorporate Cranberry Sauce and Pineapple: Gently fold in the whole berry cranberry sauce and the thoroughly drained crushed pineapple into the cream cheese mixture. Mix until just combined. Overmixing can break down the cranberry sauce and pineapple too much.
Add Marshmallows and Nuts: Stir in the mini marshmallows and chopped pecans (or walnuts). Mix until these delightful textural elements are evenly distributed throughout the cranberry-pineapple base.
Whip the Heavy Cream: In a separate, clean, and chilled bowl, using an electric mixer with a whisk attachment, whip the heavy whipping cream on medium-high speed until stiff peaks form. Be careful not to over-whip, as it can turn granular.
Combine and Chill: Gently fold the whipped cream into the cranberry mixture. Use a rubber spatula and a gentle hand to incorporate the whipped cream fully without deflating it too much. This ensures the salad remains light and airy.
Chill Thoroughly: Transfer the salad to a serving bowl, cover it tightly with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 2-3 hours. Chilling is crucial as it allows the flavors to meld beautifully and the salad to set, achieving its optimal creamy consistency.
Serve and Garnish: Before serving, give the salad a gentle stir. If desired, garnish with a few fresh cranberries or a sprig of mint for an extra festive touch.

Why You’ll Love This Millionaire Cranberry Salad

You will absolutely adore this Millionaire Cranberry Salad, and for good reason! Its main highlight is undoubtedly that incredible balance of rich, velvety creaminess from the cream cheese and whipped cream, perfectly complemented by the bright, tart burst of cranberries and the sweet, tropical essence of pineapple. It’s a texture lover’s dream, with the satisfying crunch of pecans giving way to the soft chew of mini marshmallows.

Not only is this salad a taste sensation, but it’s also a fantastic way to stretch your holiday budget. Making this decadent dish at home is significantly more cost-effective than purchasing pre-made gourmet salads, allowing you to indulge in luxury without the hefty price tag. Plus, the vibrant colors and varied textures make it a stunning centerpiece that tastes as good as it looks. While it shares some attributes with classic ambrosia salads, our Millionaire Cranberry Salad stands apart with its unique cranberry-forward profile and the addition of that irresistible cream cheese base, offering a truly distinctive holiday treat. Don’t just take our word for it—whip up a batch and witness the magic yourself! You’ll be amazed by how such simple ingredients can create such a show-stopping dish.

What to Serve Millionaire Cranberry Salad With

The versatility of the Millionaire Cranberry Salad makes it an excellent accompaniment to a variety of holiday dishes. Here are a few suggestions to create a perfectly balanced and festive meal:

Roasted Turkey or Ham: Its sweet and tangy profile cuts beautifully through the rich flavors of roasted meats, offering a refreshing contrast.
Baked Chicken or Pork Loin: Provides a lovely sweetness that complements lighter poultry and pork dishes.
Holiday Stuffing and Gravy: A spoonful of this creamy salad offers a bright, cool counterpoint to warm, savory sides.
Green Bean Casserole or Brussels Sprouts: Balances out the earthiness of vegetable dishes with its fruity sweetness.
Dinner Rolls or Cornbread: Serve alongside for a delightful sweet and savory bite.
Sparkling Cider or Prosecco: The bubbles and sweetness of these drinks pair wonderfully with the salad’s flavors.

Top Tips for Perfecting Millionaire Cranberry Salad

Achieving the perfect Millionaire Cranberry Salad is all about attention to detail. Here are some insider tips to ensure your salad is a dazzling success:

Drain Pineapple Thoroughly: This is CRUCIAL. Excess liquid from the crushed pineapple will make your salad watery and runny, preventing it from setting properly. Press it firmly in a fine-mesh sieve or paper towels.
Softened Cream Cheese: Ensure your cream cheese is at room temperature. This allows it to beat smoothly with the sugar and vanilla, preventing lumps and creating a truly creamy base.
Don’t Overmix: When folding in the cranberry sauce, pineapple, marshmallows, nuts, and especially the whipped cream, use a gentle hand. Overmixing can deflate the whipped cream, resulting in a less airy and fluffy salad.
Chill Your Whipping Cream & Bowl: For the best results when whipping cream, make sure both the heavy cream and your mixing bowl (and beaters!) are very cold. This helps the cream whip up faster and hold its peaks better.
Toasting Nuts (Optional but Recommended): Lightly toasting your pecans or walnuts beforehand in a dry pan for a few minutes intensifies their flavor and enhances their crunch. Let them cool completely before adding them to the salad.
Quality Cranberry Sauce: While canned whole berry cranberry sauce works perfectly, using a high-quality brand or even homemade whole berry cranberry sauce can elevate the flavor even further.
Adjust Sweetness: Taste the cream cheese mixture before adding the whipped cream. If your cranberry sauce is particularly tart, you might want to add an extra tablespoon or two of sugar.
Make Ahead: This salad is a fantastic make-ahead dish. Preparing it a few hours or even a day in advance allows the flavors to truly meld and deepen, resulting in an even more delicious experience.

Storing and Reheating Tips

The beauty of Millionaire Cranberry Salad is that it’s designed to be enjoyed chilled, making storage relatively straightforward.

Storage: Store any leftover Millionaire Cranberry Salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator. This will prevent it from absorbing other odors and keep it fresh.
Shelf Life: When properly stored, the salad will remain fresh and delicious for 3-4 days in the refrigerator. After this time, the marshmallows may begin to dissolve and the textures can become less appealing.
Freezing: This salad is generally not recommended for freezing. The cream cheese and whipped cream base will separate and become watery upon thawing, and the marshmallows will become tough and rubbery. The delightful creamy texture will be lost.
Reheating: As a chilled salad, reheating is not necessary or recommended. It’s meant to be served cold. If you find it has warmed up slightly, simply return it to the refrigerator for about 30 minutes to cool before serving.
Preparation for Serving: If you’ve stored the salad for a day or two, give it a gentle stir before serving to redistribute any settled ingredients and restore its creamy consistency.

Final Thoughts

There you have it – the magnificent Millionaire Cranberry Salad, a recipe that promises to bring a touch of richness and festive cheer to any gathering. This isn’t just another side dish; it’s a testament to how simple ingredients, thoughtfully combined, can create something truly extraordinary. Its delicate balance of sweet, tart, and creamy, paired with delightful textures, makes it an instant crowd-pleaser and a conversation starter. Whether you’re hosting a grand holiday feast or a cozy family dinner, this salad is guaranteed to impress with its vibrant flavors and elegant presentation. So, go ahead, gather your ingredients, and prepare to delight everyone with this sensational creation. It’s more than just a salad; it’s a holiday tradition waiting to happen!

try also :

Millionaire Cranberry Salad FAQs

Q1: Can I use fresh cranberries instead of canned cranberry sauce?
A1: While canned whole berry cranberry sauce is specified for its convenience and ideal consistency, you could use fresh cranberries. However, you would need to cook them down with sugar and a bit of water first to create a homemade whole berry cranberry sauce, then cool it completely before using. Raw fresh cranberries would be too tart and firm.

Q2: What if I don’t have an electric mixer for the cream cheese and whipped cream?
A2: While an electric mixer is highly recommended for achieving the smoothest cream cheese mixture and stiffest whipped cream, you can do both by hand with a whisk. Be prepared for a bit of an arm workout, especially for the whipped cream, which will take longer to achieve stiff peaks. Ensure all ingredients are very cold if whisking by hand.

Q3: Can I substitute the nuts with something else due to allergies or preference?
A3: Absolutely! If you have a nut allergy or simply prefer something different, you can omit the nuts entirely or substitute them with seeds like sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds (pepitas) for a different kind of crunch. Toasted coconut flakes could also add a pleasant texture and flavor.

Q4: My salad seems a bit too runny. What went wrong?
A4: The most common culprit for a runny salad is not thoroughly draining the crushed pineapple. Excess liquid from the pineapple will thin out the dressing. Also, ensuring your heavy cream is whipped to stiff peaks and not just soft peaks is important for the salad’s structure. Make sure you also chill the salad for the full recommended time, as this allows it to set.

Q5: Can I make this salad dairy-free or vegan?
A5: Replicating the exact richness and texture in a dairy-free or vegan version can be challenging due to the cream cheese and heavy whipping cream. However, you could try using vegan cream cheese alternatives and a vegan whipping cream (like coconut cream or a commercial vegan whipping cream). Keep in mind the taste and texture will likely differ from the traditional recipe.

Q6: How far in advance can I make Millionaire Cranberry Salad?
A6: This salad is actually best made a few hours in advance, or even the day before, to allow the flavors to meld and the salad to set properly. You can safely prepare it up to 24-36 hours ahead of time. Beyond that, the marshmallows might start to break down and the texture could change.

Q7: Can I add other fruits to this salad?
A7: While the classic Millionaire Cranberry Salad focuses on cranberries and pineapple, you can certainly experiment! Diced apples, mandarin oranges (well-drained), or even grapes could be interesting additions. If adding more fruit, be mindful of their liquid content and drain thoroughly if needed.

Millionaire Cranberry Salad – Rich Creamy Holiday Recipe