Description
A nostalgic, jewel-toned Jello Salad with strawberry gelatin, pineapple, mandarin oranges, mini marshmallows, and a light whipped topping, perfect for potlucks and make-ahead gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
- 6 ounces strawberry gelatin mix (1 standard box)
- 2 cups boiling water
- 2 cups cold water
- 1 cup crushed pineapple, well drained
- 1 cup mandarin oranges, drained
- 1 cup mini marshmallows
- 1 cup whipped topping (e.g., Cool Whip), thawed if frozen
- 1/2 cup chopped pecans, optional
Instructions
- Chill equipment: Place your mixing bowl and serving dish or mold in the refrigerator for 10 to 15 minutes to help the gelatin set faster.
- Dissolve gelatin: In a large heatproof bowl, pour 2 cups of boiling water over the 6 ounces of strawberry gelatin mix. Whisk until the gelatin is completely dissolved.
- Cool and add cold water: Stir in 2 cups of cold water to the dissolved gelatin and mix gently to combine.
- Prepare fruit: Drain the crushed pineapple and mandarin oranges thoroughly to avoid watering down the gelatin. Add both to the cooled gelatin along with 1 cup mini marshmallows and stir gently to distribute.
- Chill until partially set: Pour the mixture into your chilled mold or glass dish and refrigerate for 1 to 2 hours until the gelatin is partially set but still slightly tacky.
- Fold in whipped topping: Remove the dish from the fridge. Gently fold 1 cup whipped topping and the optional 1/2 cup chopped pecans into the partially set gelatin until evenly combined.
- Finish setting: Smooth the top, cover, and refrigerate for an additional 2 hours or until completely firm.
- Unmold and serve: For unmolding, dip the mold briefly in warm water for a few seconds, invert onto a serving plate, and garnish with extra fruit or a dollop of whipped topping. Alternatively, scoop into bowls and serve chilled.
Notes
- Drain fruit well: Excess juice prevents proper setting, so use a fine strainer or paper towels to remove extra liquid.
- Stabilize whipped cream: If using fresh whipped cream, add a teaspoon of powdered sugar or a small amount of cream stabilizer to help it hold its shape.
- Vegan option: Replace gelatin with agar-agar and follow package instructions for setting, noting that texture will differ slightly.
- Make-ahead: Assemble up to 24 hours ahead and keep covered in the refrigerator for best texture and flavor.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approximately 1/12 of recipe)
- Calories: 160
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 4g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2.5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 34g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 1.5g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Keywords: Jello Salad, gelatin salad, retro dessert, pineapple jello, mandarin jello, potluck dessert, make-ahead dessert