Quick & Fluffy Cranberry Jello Salad with Cream Cheese Topping Recipe

Cranberry jello salad crafts ordinary desserts into a festive culinary adventure that sparkles with vibrant color and unexpected texture.

Home cooks adore this classic side dish that balances sweet and tart flavor profiles perfectly.

Gelatin creates a dramatic, wobbling canvas for bright crimson berries suspended in a translucent base.

Creamy cheese topping adds luxurious depth and silky contrast to the jiggly foundation.

Chilled ingredients elevate this dish from simple to sophisticated, making it ideal for gatherings where visual appeal matters as much as taste.

Holiday tables come alive with this nostalgic yet modern treat that feels both comforting and elegant.

Guests will crave every delightful, cool spoonful.

Steps to Build Cranberry Jello Salad with Cream Cheese Topping

Step 1: Prepare Jello Base

• Boil water
• Add Jello packets
• Stir until completely dissolved
• Ensure no dry powder remains

Step 2: Blend Fruity Elements

• Pour crushed pineapple with juice into Jello mixture
• Add whole cranberry sauce
• Gently break cranberry chunks using spoon
• Mix ingredients thoroughly

Step 3: Enhance with Nutty Crunch

• Incorporate chopped pecans
• Add cranberry or apple juice
• Stir until well combined

Step 4: Chill and Set

• Pour mixture into 9×13 inch glass dish
• Spread evenly
• Refrigerate for 2 hours
• Ensure Jello becomes completely firm

Step 5: Create Creamy Topping

Beat cream cheese until smooth

Add powdered sugar and sour cream

Blend until perfectly combined

Step 6: Finish and Garnish

• Spread cream cheese topping over set Jello
• Sprinkle remaining chopped pecans on top
• Serve chilled
• Enjoy your delightful dessert

Key Tips for Cream Cheese Topped Cranberry Jello Salad

• Chill Precisely: Refrigerate the Jell-O mixture for exactly 2 hours to achieve the perfect consistency without over-setting.
• Smooth Out Chunks: Use the back of a spoon to break down cranberry sauce lumps for a uniform, silky texture throughout the salad.
• Soften Cream Cheese Expertly: Let cream cheese sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before beating to ensure a smooth, lump-free topping.
• Toast Pecans Optionally: Lightly toast pecans before chopping to enhance their nutty flavor and add extra crunch to the dish.
• Layer Carefully: Spread the cream cheese topping gently to avoid disturbing the set Jell-O layer, creating a clean, professional presentation.

Proper Storage for Cranberry Jello Salad with Cream Cheese

• Refrigerate: Store leftovers in an airtight container, covering the entire jello salad with plastic wrap or a tight lid to prevent drying out and absorbing other refrigerator odors.
• Preserve Freshness: Keep the cranberry jello salad refrigerated for up to 3-4 days, ensuring maximum flavor and texture quality.
• Reheating: Do not reheat this dessert, as the jello will melt and lose its signature texture. Instead, serve chilled directly from the refrigerator for the best taste experience.

Pairing Ideas for Cranberry Jello Cream Cheese Salad

• Pair with Sparkling Wine: Grab a chilled glass of prosecco or champagne to complement the sweet-tart cranberry flavors and cut through the rich cream cheese topping.
• Serve with Roasted Turkey: This jello salad makes an incredible side dish for holiday turkey, balancing the savory meat with its bright, fruity profile and creamy texture.
• Match with Vanilla Bean Ice Cream: Scoop a small portion of vanilla ice cream alongside the jello salad for a delightful dessert that enhances the nutty pecan and creamy elements.
• Enjoy with Spiced Chai Tea: A warm, spicy chai tea creates a wonderful contrast to the cool, smooth jello salad, offering a comforting and sophisticated flavor experience.

Variations to Try with Cranberry Jello Salad

• Berry Bliss Jello: Replace cranberry sauce with mixed berry preserves and add fresh blueberries for extra texture and vibrant color.
• Tropical Tango Jello: Swap cranberry juice with passion fruit juice and mix in diced mango for a sunny, exotic flavor profile.
• Nutty Crunch Fusion: Replace pecans with toasted almonds and add a layer of graham cracker crumbs between the Jell-O and cream cheese topping for extra crunch.
• Citrus Sparkle Version: Incorporate orange zest into the cream cheese topping and use mandarin oranges instead of pineapple for a bright, zesty variation.

Why Cranberry Jello Salad with Cream Cheese Topping Works

• Burst with Festive Flavors: This cranberry Jello salad delivers a delightful combination of tart cranberries, sweet pineapple, and rich cream cheese that instantly reminds you of holiday gatherings.
• Textural Paradise: Enjoy the playful contrast between the smooth, jiggly Jell-O base, creamy cream cheese topping, and crunchy pecan pieces that dance across your palate with every bite.
• Super Simple Showstopper: Create an impressive dessert with minimal effort- this recipe requires basic mixing and chilling, making it perfect for novice cooks or busy hosts who want a crowd-pleasing treat without complicated techniques.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare this dessert in advance and let it chill in the refrigerator, giving you more time to relax and enjoy your guests during holiday meals or potluck celebrations.

Ingredients You’ll Need for Cranberry Jello Salad with Cream Cheese Topping

Main Ingredients:

• Jell-O Packets: Red gelatin that provides the vibrant color and sweet base for the salad, choose a raspberry or strawberry flavor for best results.
• Boiling Water: Essential for dissolving the Jell-O completely and creating the gelatin's structure.
• Whole Cranberry Sauce: Adds tartness and chunky texture to the Jell-O base, homemade or canned both work well.
• Crushed Pineapple: Brings natural sweetness and moisture to the dish, use canned pineapple with its own juice.
• Cranberry or Apple Juice: Enhances the fruity flavor and provides additional liquid for the gelatin.

• Pecans: Provides crunch and nutty flavor, toasted pecans will give extra depth to the salad.

• Cream Cheese: Creates a rich and smooth topping, make sure it's softened at room temperature.
• Powdered Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps stabilize the cream cheese mixture.
• Sour Cream: Provides tanginess and helps create a lighter, more spreadable topping.

Cranberry Jello Salad with Cream Cheese Topping Recipe

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4.9 from 8 reviews

• Total Time: 20 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Cranberry jello salad sparkles with festive charm, combining tart cranberries and creamy layers. Winter holidays come alive with this classic dessert that guests will savor from first delightful spoonful to last.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 2 (3 ounces/85 grams) packages cherry Jell-O
• 20 ounces/567 grams crushed pineapple (with juice)
• 1 (15 ounces/425 grams) can whole cranberry sauce
• 1 cup chopped pecans

Liquid Ingredients:

• 1 ½ cups boiling water
• ¾ cup cranberry or apple juice

Topping Ingredients:

• 8 ounces/227 grams cream cheese, softened
• ½ cup powdered sugar
• 1 cup sour cream

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Instructions

1. In a spacious mixing vessel, completely liquefy the Jell-O crystals within boiling liquid, ensuring thorough dissolution through vigorous stirring.
2. Integrate crushed pineapple, retaining its natural liquid, alongside whole cranberry preserve into the translucent gelatin mixture. Gently fragment any substantial cranberry clusters using utensil’s reverse side.
3. Incorporate approximately three-quarters of prepared pecan fragments and chosen fruit essence, blending components uniformly.
4. Transfer the vibrant concoction meticulously into a rectangular glass container, distributing evenly and creating smooth surface.
5. Chill the gelatin creation within refrigeration unit until completely solidified, allowing approximately two hours for proper setting.
6. Prepare the luxurious topping by whipping softened cream cheese using electric mixer, transforming texture into silky consistency.
7. Gradually introduce powdered sweetener and tangy dairy cream, combining ingredients until achieving harmonious, velvety texture.
8. Once gelatin has completely set, delicately spread cream cheese mixture across surface, creating elegant, uniform layer.
9. Garnish the finished dessert with remaining pecan fragments, strategically dispersing for visual appeal and textural contrast.
10. Refrigerate until moment of serving to maintain optimal temperature and structural integrity.

Notes

• Versatile Holiday Delight that combines the tartness of cranberries with creamy smooth cream cheese topping.
• Prepare ahead of time and chill for optimal texture, making it perfect for make-ahead party planning.
• Pecans add delightful crunch and nutty flavor, enhancing both visual appeal and taste profile.
• Combination of pineapple and cranberry creates a balanced sweet-tart flavor that tingles taste buds.
• Cream cheese topping transforms traditional Jell-O salad into an elegant dessert-like side dish.
• Gluten-free option that works beautifully for diverse dietary needs and festive gatherings.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Blending
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 200
• Sugar: 22 g
• Sodium: 150 mg
• Fat: 9 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 28 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 20 mg