Jolly Cranberry Jello Salad with Cream Cheese Topping Recipe

Holidays sparkle with vibrant cranberry jello salad that brings color and cheer to any gathering.

This classic recipe combines sweet and tangy flavors in a delightful cranberry jello salad that everyone adores.

Creamy cream cheese topping adds a luxurious touch to the festive dessert.

Bright red cranberries create a stunning visual appeal that catches everyone’s eye.

Simple ingredients come together to create a memorable side dish that feels both nostalgic and elegant.

Guests will be impressed by the delicate balance of textures and flavors in this crowd-pleasing treat.

Prepare to wow your loved ones with this irresistible seasonal sensation.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time:

Total Time: 20 minutes

Calories: 310 kcal

Servings: 9

Ingredients for Cranberry Jello Salad with Cream Cheese Topping

• Cranberry Jello: Vibrant flavor foundation that creates a festive, ruby-red canvas for the dessert.
• Cold Water: Helps stabilize and set the Jello mixture perfectly.
• Cranberry Sauce: Adds depth and rich berry intensity to the base layer.
• Pecans or Walnuts: Introduces delightful crunch and nutty warmth to the texture.

• Cream Cheese: Provides luxurious, velvety richness and smooth base for the topping.
• Heavy Whipping Cream: Creates airy, light texture that balances the dense Jello layer.
• Powdered Sugar: Sweetens and helps stabilize the whipped cream mixture.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances overall flavor with warm, aromatic undertones.

• Chopped Pecans: Offers delicate crunch and elegant finishing touch to the dessert.
• Additional Whole Cranberries: Provides fresh, bright visual appeal and textural contrast.

Tools You’ll Use for Layering This Festive Jello Salad

• Electric mixer: Essential for whipping cream cheese and creating a smooth, fluffy topping.
• Medium-sized bowl: Perfect for dissolving Jello and mixing ingredients.
• 9×13-inch dish or serving dish: Ideal for setting Jello and presenting the final dessert.
• Measuring cups: Crucial for accurately measuring water and ingredients.
• Spatula or mixing spoon: Helps stir Jello and fold in additional ingredients.
• Whisk: Great for ensuring Jello and cranberry sauce blend smoothly.

How to Build a Cranberry Jello Cream Cheese Masterpiece

• Create Cranberry Jello Base

Mix cranberry Jello with boiling water until completely dissolved. Add cold water and blend cranberry sauce into mixture. Optional bonus: toss in some chopped nuts for extra crunch. Pour into serving dish and let it set in refrigerator for several hours.

• Whip Dreamy Cream Cheese Topping

Blend cream cheese until silky smooth. Fold in whipping cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla. Whip until mixture becomes light and fluffy like a cloud. Once Jello has completely solidified, gently spread cream cheese layer across the top.

• Chill and Delight

Pop the dish back into refrigerator and let topping firm up for another hour or two. When ready, slice and serve this cool, creamy dessert that’ll make taste buds dance with joy.

Tips for Smooth Topping and Tangy Bottom

• Prepare this dessert a day in advance to let flavors meld and save precious time before serving.
• Skip the pecans for those with nut allergies or prefer a smoother texture without added crunch.
• Swap cranberry sauce with seasonal fruit preserves like orange marmalade or raspberry jam for a festive variation.
• Use sugar-free Jello and replace powdered sugar with a sugar substitute to create a diabetic-friendly version of this classic dessert.
• Substitute cream cheese with coconut cream and use non-dairy whipping cream to make this recipe suitable for lactose-intolerant guests.

Serve This Jello Salad Chilled and Gorgeous

• Party Platter Paradise: Slice this vibrant dessert into neat squares and arrange on a festive platter with fresh mint leaves for elegant presentation.
• Holiday Harmony: Perfect side dish for Thanksgiving or Christmas gatherings, complementing turkey and traditional seasonal spreads with its bright cranberry color.
• Breakfast Bonus: Enjoy a small slice alongside morning coffee or as a light, sweet breakfast treat that feels indulgent yet refreshing.
• Dessert Customization: Garnish with extra whole cranberries, crushed pecans, or a light dusting of cinnamon to add personal flair and enhance visual appeal.

Storage Tips for Jello and Cream Cheese Layers

• Refrigerate the Jello salad in the coldest part of your fridge for faster setting, typically the back shelf where temperature remains most consistent.
• Slice and store individual servings in sealed containers for easy grab-and-go lunches or quick dessert portions that stay fresh up to 3-4 days.
• Keep the Jello salad consistently refrigerated between 35-40°F to maintain texture and prevent bacterial growth, ensuring maximum food safety and flavor retention.
• Prepare the entire dish up to 2 days before serving, allowing flavors to meld and reducing day-of preparation stress while maintaining perfect taste and texture.

FAQs

• What ingredients make this Cranberry Jello Salad unique?

The cranberry sauce and optional pecans or walnuts give this Jello salad a distinctive flavor and texture, creating a more complex dessert than traditional Jello recipes.

• Can I use a different type of Jello flavor?

While cranberry Jello works best for this recipe, you could experiment with other red or berry-flavored Jello like raspberry or strawberry to achieve a similar result.

• Is this recipe considered a dessert or a side dish?

This Cranberry Jello Salad is versatile and can be served as either a light dessert or a festive side dish, particularly during holiday meals like Thanksgiving or Christmas.

• How can I ensure my cream cheese topping is smooth?

Ensure the cream cheese is completely softened at room temperature before beating, and use an electric mixer to achieve a smooth, creamy consistency without lumps.

Festive Cranberry Jello Salad With Cream Cheese Topping

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4.9 from 13 reviews

• Total Time: 20 minutes
• Yield: 9 1x

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Description

Creamy cranberry jello salad brings festive flavors from Midwestern holiday tables. Tangy cream cheese layer and jewel-toned gelatin create a nostalgic dessert you’ll savor with pure comfort and classic charm.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 2 packages (3 oz / 85 g) raspberry or cherry-flavored gelatin
• 1 ½ cups boiling water
• ¾ cup cranberry or apple juice
• 1 can (20 oz / 567 g) crushed pineapple, undrained
• 1 can (14 oz / 397 g) whole berry cranberry sauce
• 8 oz (227 g) cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup sour cream
• ½ cup powdered sugar
• 1 cup chopped pecans

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Instructions

1. Dissolve Gelatin: Merge hot water with Jello powder, stirring until completely integrated and smooth.
2. Create Base Layer: Blend cold water and cranberry sauce into the gelatin mixture, incorporating pecans for textural complexity.
3. Set Initial Layer: Pour the cranberry mixture into a rectangular dish, spreading evenly, and refrigerate for 4 hours until completely firm.
4. Craft Cream Cheese Topping: Whip cream cheese until smooth, gradually adding heavy whipping cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract, blending until soft peaks form.
5. Assemble and Finish: Spread the cream cheese mixture over the solidified cranberry layer, ensuring a uniform coating. Refrigerate for an additional 1-2 hours to allow flavors to meld and topping to set.
6. Serve: Cut into precise squares, presenting a visually stunning dessert that balances tart cranberry with rich, creamy topping.

Notes

• Dissolve Gelatin Carefully: Stir gelatin powder in hot water thoroughly to prevent lumps, ensuring a smooth, uniform base that sets perfectly.
• Chill Strategically: Allow each layer sufficient refrigeration time, minimizing impatience to achieve optimal texture and clean layer separation.
• Soften Cream Cheese Properly: Let cream cheese reach room temperature before whipping to guarantee a silky, lump-free topping with perfect consistency.
• Customize Nut Options: Swap pecans with almonds or walnuts for dietary preferences, maintaining the delightful crunch while accommodating different taste profiles.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: None
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 9
• Calories: 310
• Sugar: 24 g
• Sodium: 150 mg
• Fat: 22 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 5 g
• Cholesterol: 40 mg