Description
This Cranberry Fluff Salad is a delightful, tangy-sweet dessert salad featuring fresh cranberries pulsed to a fine chop, combined with creamy whipped cream cheese, juicy crushed pineapple, miniature marshmallows, and topped with crunchy pecans. Perfectly chilled and refreshing, it’s an easy make-ahead dish that’s great for holiday gatherings or potlucks.
Ingredients
Scale
Fruit Base
- 12 ounce bag fresh cranberries
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 20 ounces crushed pineapple (drained)
Dairy & Cream
- 8 ounces cream cheese (softened at room temperature)
- 8 ounces whipped cream (such as Cool Whip, thawed)
Add-ins
- 2 cups miniature marshmallows
- 1 cup pecans (chopped, optional)
Instructions
- Pulse the Cranberries: Add fresh cranberries into a food processor and pulse until they are finely chopped without blending or pureeing. This keeps the texture just right. Transfer the chopped cranberries into a bowl and mix in the granulated sugar. Set this mixture aside to allow the flavors to meld.
- Beat the Cream Cheese: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese with a mixer until it becomes smooth and creamy. This will form the rich base of the salad.
- Fold in the Whipped Cream: Gently fold the thawed whipped cream into the cream cheese until it is evenly incorporated, keeping the mixture light and fluffy.
- Add Pineapple and Marshmallows: Stir in the drained crushed pineapple and miniature marshmallows carefully, blending all ingredients together to combine flavors and textures.
- Chill and Serve: Cover the bowl and refrigerate the salad for 2 to 4 hours to let it set and chill thoroughly. Just before serving, sprinkle the top with chopped pecans if desired to add a delightful crunch.
Notes
- Do not over-process the cranberries; they should be finely chopped, not pureed, to maintain texture.
- Ensure the cream cheese is fully softened to avoid lumps in the mixture.
- Draining the crushed pineapple well helps prevent the salad from becoming too watery.
- Pecans add a nice crunch and flavor but can be omitted for a nut-free version.
- Make-ahead friendly: can be prepared and refrigerated up to 24 hours before serving.
