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Cranberry Fluff Salad

Cranberry Fluff Salad

This delightful dessert side is a creamy, dreamy, sweet-tart confection featuring vibrant cranberries, whipped cream, pineapple, and marshmallows. A nostalgic favorite for holiday gatherings, it perfectly balances ease of preparation with crowd-pleasing flavor.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Chilling Time 4 hours
Total Time 4 hours 20 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Course: Dessert, Side Dish
Cuisine: American, Retro
Calories: 350

Ingredients
  

  • 1 bag fresh cranberries 12 ounces
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 can crushed pineapple 20 ounces, undrained
  • 1 package cream cheese 8 ounces, softened
  • 1 container frozen whipped topping 8 ounces, thawed (like Cool Whip)
  • 2 cups miniature marshmallows
  • ½ cup chopped pecans or walnuts optional

Equipment

  • Food Processor
  • Large mixing bowls
  • Electric mixer
  • Spatula

Method
 

  1. In a food processor, combine the fresh cranberries and granulated sugar. Pulse until the cranberries are finely chopped but not puréed.
    1 bag fresh cranberries, 1 cup granulated sugar
  2. Transfer the cranberry-sugar mixture to a medium mixing bowl. Add the entire can of crushed pineapple, including its juice. Stir well to combine. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or preferably an hour.
    1 can crushed pineapple
  3. In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese with an electric mixer until it's light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
    1 package cream cheese
  4. Gently fold the thawed whipped topping into the beaten cream cheese until just combined, being careful not to overmix.
    1 container frozen whipped topping
  5. Add the chilled cranberry-pineapple mixture, miniature marshmallows, and chopped pecans or walnuts (if using) to the cream cheese and whipped topping mixture.
    2 cups miniature marshmallows, ½ cup chopped pecans or walnuts
  6. Using a spatula, gently fold all the ingredients together until everything is evenly distributed. You want to maintain the airy texture.
  7. Transfer the Cranberry Fluff Salad to a serving bowl. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or ideally overnight, before serving.

Notes

This salad is best when chilled thoroughly for at least 4 hours, allowing the flavors to meld beautifully. Do not freeze this salad, as the texture will change significantly upon thawing.
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