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Cranberry Fluff Salad

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Make a delicious cranberry fluff from fresh cranberries and serve it as a fun side dish or simple dessert. It will be such a pretty addition to your holiday menu, but is great for any day.

Serving bowl filled with creamy cranberry fluff salad with marshmallows and pineapple ready to eat.

This fun creamy cranberry fluff is loaded with fresh cranberries, pineapple, and just enough marshmallows to make it fun and sweet. It takes very little effort, can be made ahead of time, and makes a tasty and colorful addition to your table.

Cranberries are like the ruby jewels of the fruit world during November and December. It is hard to pass them by on the produce section without picking up a bag.

It wasn’t always that way. As a child the only cranberries I knew was the canned jellied cranberries.

bowl of cranberry fluff salad with fresh cranberries and mini marshmallows in front of it.

Nothing about seeing the ridges of the can on the gelatinous cylinder screamed “eat me” to me. My husband loves the stuff though, so to each their own.

In the past few years I have really come to enjoy cranberries. The ease and sweet but tart pop of cranberry snack cake instantly won me over.

Now I love delicata squash with fresh cranberries and brie topped with maple cranberry sauce too.

This fluffy fruit salad recipe is just the latest in an ever growing list of cranberry recipes I love. It has a hit of tart with just enough sweet to round it out.

Making Fluff Using Fresh or Frozen Cranberries

This recipe is super simple to put together. Just put a bag of fresh or frozen cranberries in the food processor with some granulated sugar.

Pulse it a few time until the berries resemble a fine dice. Chill the berries for at least a couple of hours or overnight to allow the sugar to work its magic.

All you have to do from there is stir in a well drained can of crushed pineapple. Add a few mini marshmallows to bring a little extra sweetness and fun to the mix.

Whip some heavy cream to stiff peaks and fold into the cranberry mixture. Then refrigerate until you are ready to serve.

The cranberry fluff is best when it is assembled the day you plan to serve. However the leftovers will be good in the refrigerator for several days.

It really is just that easy. The results are tart and just sweet enough.

Additions and Alterations

If you like your fluff salads on the sweeter side, feel free to add a few more marshmallows to the mix. For a tarter finish, you can try adding less sugar.

Just remember those cranberries can easily make you pucker, so having some sugar in the mix helps to balance them out. You can taste as you go to get your perfect amount.

You can add chopped apples instead of the marshmallows if you prefer crunch in your salad. Or add both!

Adding chopped pecans gives it more of a Waldorf salad vibe. Feel free to experiment with your favorite nuts.

Spoon in a small bowl of creamy cranberry fluff with pineapple and marshmallows.

More great cranberry recipes

Cranberry applesauce is the best of both worlds with lots of fresh berries and apples inside. It makes a lovely side dish that tastes as good as it looks.

Tart cranberries, fresh apples, a hint of cinnamon, brown sugary sweetness and a golden oat topping come together to make a fabulous cranberry apple crisp. It is the perfect fall dessert.

Mini cranberry cheese balls are perfect for topping just a couple of crackers. They are perfect for parties because each individual can grab one or two.

3 ingredient orange cranberry relish is such an easy side dish. It is a great colorful make ahead addition to your Thanksgiving or Christmas menu.

Cranberry Jello salad would make a perfect fruity addition to your Thanksgiving or Christmas menu. It takes only three ingredients and is a perfect make ahead dish. Serve it plain or top with with whipped cream for an extra special treat.

Love this recipe? Give it a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ review in the recipe card below!

Serving bowl filled with creamy cranberry fluff salad with marshmallows and pineapple ready to eat.

Creamy Cranberry Fluff

Carlee
Make a delicious cranberry fluff from fresh cranberries as a fun side dish or simple dessert. It will be such a pretty addition to your holiday menu but is great for any day.
4.91 from 21 ratings
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 0 minutes
Additional Time 2 hours
Total Time 2 hours 10 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 12 Servings
Calories 154 kcal

Ingredients
 

  • 12 ounces fresh or frozen cranberries
  • ½ cup granulated sugar
  • 20 ounces canned crushed pineapple drained
  • 1 cup mini marshmallows
  • 1 cup heavy whipping cream

Instructions
 

  • Put cranberries and sugar in food processor. Pulse until the berries are finely diced.
    12 ounces fresh or frozen cranberries, ½ cup granulated sugar
  • Transfer berries to a bowl, cover and refrigerate at least a couple of hours or overnight.
  • Stir drained pineapple and marshmallows into cranberries.
    20 ounces canned crushed pineapple, 1 cup mini marshmallows
  • Whip cream until it forms stiff peaks.
    1 cup heavy whipping cream
  • Fold cream into cranberry mixture.
  • Refrigerate until ready to serve.

Video

Nutrition

Serving: 1ServingCalories: 154kcalCarbohydrates: 23gProtein: 1gFat: 7gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 22mgSodium: 10mgFiber: 1gSugar: 19g
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Recipe Rating




Andrea Nine

Friday 3rd of December 2021

This is almost identical to how we make it. So festive!

Carlee

Friday 3rd of December 2021

It's pretty and delicious! ❤