Fluffy Cranberry Fluff Salad with Pineapple
This festive cranberry fluff salad combines tart cranberries, juicy pineapple, creamy whipped topping, and pillowy marshmallows for a nostalgic, crowd-pleasing holiday dessert. Quick to make and perfect for potlucks, it’s a creamy, dreamy treat that’s sure to become a family favorite.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours 15 minutes (includes chilling)
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 oz fresh cranberries, rinsed and drained (or frozen, thawed and drained)
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 can (20 oz) crushed pineapple in juice, drained well
- 2 cups mini marshmallows
- 2 cups whipped topping (Cool Whip or homemade, thawed)
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- Optional: 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans
- Optional: 1/2 cup shredded sweetened coconut
- Optional: 1 cup mandarin orange segments, drained
Instructions
- Place cranberries in a food processor or blender and pulse until finely chopped (do not puree).
- Transfer chopped cranberries to a large mixing bowl. Add sugar, stir well, and let sit for 10 minutes to draw out juices.
- In a separate bowl, beat softened cream cheese with a hand mixer until smooth and fluffy (about 2 minutes).
- Add drained crushed pineapple to the cranberry mixture and stir gently to combine. If using mandarin oranges, fold them in now.
- Gently fold in mini marshmallows, whipped topping, and blended cream cheese using a spatula. Do not over-mix.
- Fold in optional chopped nuts and coconut if desired. Taste and adjust sweetness if needed.
- Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours (up to overnight) to allow flavors to meld and marshmallows to soften.
- Stir gently before serving. Scoop into a glass bowl or trifle dish and garnish with whole cranberries or coconut if desired.
Notes
For best texture, do not over-chop cranberries or over-mix the salad. Drain pineapple thoroughly to avoid watery fluff. Chill for at least 2 hours, preferably overnight, for optimal flavor and texture. Easily adaptable for dairy-free or nut-free diets. Serve cold and garnish just before serving.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 1 cup per serv
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 33
- Sodium: 65
- Fat: 7
- Saturated Fat: 4
- Carbohydrates: 41
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 2
Keywords: cranberry fluff salad, holiday dessert, pineapple, marshmallows, potluck, Thanksgiving, Christmas, easy dessert, creamy salad