Festive Cranberry Fluff Salad: Quick and Easy Recipe

Festive Cranberry Fluff Salad is a delicious classic dish for the holidays (or any day of the week!).

A tart cranberry flavor combined with sweet, creamy whipped topping and decadent cream cheese creates the perfect old-fashioned holiday salad.

Toss in some mandarin oranges, mini marshmallows, and pecans for the final touches on this tasty side dish.

This Cranberry fluff salad recipe is perfect for the holiday season. Made with just a few simple ingredients, including cranberry sauce, whipped cream, and mini marshmallows, this dish is easy to prepare and can be made ahead of time.

What in the world is a fluff salad?

If you are a fan of sweet, creamy, and fluffy side dishes, then you have probably heard of fluff salads.

Fluff salads are a type of dessert that is made with whipped cream, marshmallows, and various fruits or other ingredients. These salads are light, airy, and perfect for any occasion.

One of the most classic fluff salad recipes is the Watergate salad. This salad is made with pistachio pudding, whipped cream, marshmallows, and pineapple. It is a sweet and creamy salad that is perfect for any holiday or special occasion. I even like fluff salads for dessert!

Another favorite fluff salad recipe is my grandma’s Pink Cloud Jello Salad. This salad is made with whipped cream, crushed pineapple, strawberry Jello, and cottage cheese. It is a refreshing and fruity salad that is perfect for summer gatherings.

My grandmother always made the best Ambrosia salad! No matter what type of fluff salad recipes you choose to make, one thing is for sure: they are all delicious.

Cranberry Fluff Salad Ingredients At A Glance (Full printable recipe card down below)

Whipped Topping (8 ounces – more for optional garnish)
Cream Cheese at room temp
Whole Berry Cranberry Sauce (15 ounces)
Mandarin Oranges, drained (15 ounces)
Miniature Marshmallows
Chopped Pecans
Fresh Cranberries (optional garnish)
Fresh Rosemary Sprigs (optional garnish)

Items Needed:

Food Processor
Large Mixing Bowl
Rubber Spatula

Step-by-Step Preparation of Easy Cranberry Fluff Salad

Making a delicious cranberry fluff salad is easy. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you prepare this delightful dessert:

Place the drained can of mandarin oranges in a food processor and pulse a couple of times until it resembles crushed pineapple. Drain the excess juice after chopping and set aside.

Place the can of whole cranberry sauce in a bowl and use a fork or other utensil to break it up so that it turns into a normal-looking cranberry sauce, with no remaining big chunks.

Add the cranberry sauce, cool whip, and cream cheese in a large mixing bowl and gently mix until well combined.

Add the remaining ingredients.

Fold together until the ingredients are evenly distributed.

Technically, you can eat this immediately, but my favorite way is to refrigerate it for at least 8 hours (overnight) so that the flavors really meld together. So, this step is optional, and based on your preferences.

When you get ready to serve the salad, if desired, you can garnish it with a dollop of cool whip, fresh cranberries, and a sprig of rosemary.

Storage

Store in a sealed airtight container, in the fridge, for up to 4 days. Do not freeze.

You may have water buildup in the bottom of the bowl, akin to what yogurt does, after storing for a day or two. If so, it’s not ruined! Simply stir it in or drain it off, whichever you choose works fine.

Helpful Tips For Making Cranberry Fluff

If your cream cheese is too cold and not easy to stir, simply place it in a separate bowl and stir it until creamy before adding it to the large mixing bowl with the other ingredients.

If you would like a stronger cranberry flavor, add more cranberry sauce or even a box of cranberry jello. Just the powder, not prepared.

If you don’t like the pecans, you don’t have to add them. It won’t hurt the salad to leave them out.

If you want to use homemade cranberry sauce, that’s just fine, but be aware of how thin it is as this could make your salad soupy rather than fluffy.

You can use homemade whipped cream, but be sure to add a bit of sugar if you like the sweet factor of fluff salads because homemade whipped cream isn’t as sweet as store-bought, unless you add sugar to it yourself. This will all depend on your preferences.

Serving Suggestions and Pairings

Cranberry fluff salad is a versatile dish that can be enjoyed on its own or paired with other dishes to create a complete meal. Here are some serving suggestions and pairings to help you make the most of this delicious salad:

Thanksgiving Dinner

Cranberry fluff salad is a perfect addition to any Thanksgiving dinner table. It pairs well with traditional Thanksgiving dishes like roast or deep-fried turkey and baked ham.

The sweet and tangy flavors of the salad complement the savory flavors of these dishes, making for a well-rounded and satisfying meal.

Christmas Dinner

Cranberry fluff salad is also a great choice for Christmas dinner. Its festive colors and flavors make it a perfect addition to any holiday table. Serve it alongside prime rib for a delicious and memorable meal.

Holiday Meal

If you’re hosting a holiday meal, cranberry fluff salad is the perfect side dish to serve alongside your main course. Its light and refreshing flavors make it a perfect complement to heavier dishes like ham or roast beef.

More Delicious Recipes Featuring Cranberries

Yield: 10-12 servings