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.
Ingredients
Scale
- 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
Instructions
- Dissolve Gelatin: Merge hot water with Jello powder, stirring until completely integrated and smooth.
- Create Base Layer: Blend cold water and cranberry sauce into the gelatin mixture, incorporating pecans for textural complexity.
- Set Initial Layer: Pour the cranberry mixture into a rectangular dish, spreading evenly, and refrigerate for 4 hours until completely firm.
- Craft Cream Cheese Topping: Whip cream cheese until smooth, gradually adding heavy whipping cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract, blending until soft peaks form.
- 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.
- 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