Jello Marshmallow Salad is a refreshing and sweet salad that will become a favorite side dish for any time of year! Easy to customize with your favorite gelatin flavor, this Cherry Jello Salad with marshmallows and cool whip can be ready to eat just a couple of hours. Simply stir together all your ingredients and chill for a super flavorful fluff salad that is great for feeding a crowd!
My favorite part of this jello salad recipe is the reduced chill time. While most jello salads require several hours for the jello to set, this marshmallow salad can be ready to eat in just a couple of hours. The fact that I can get away with eating what feels like dessert with dinner also feels like a major win. It uses canned fruit so you can keep these staples in your pantry for whenever the mood for fluff salad hits you, year-round. (If have some fresh fruit on hand, you need to try this fresh cantaloupe salad recipe.)
Jello Marshmallow Salad Ingredients
- cherry gelatin
- vanilla pudding
- mini marshmallows
- canned crushed pineapple
- canned mandarin oranges
- whipped topping
- water and ice
You can replace the cherry gelatin with your favorite jello flavor. This combination came to be when I thought I had a big box of orange jello but realized I only had a small size. Oops! Sometimes mistakes turn into something absolutely delicious and that was certainly the case with this cherry jello. The result is a very pretty pink fluff salad.
How To Make Marshmallow Fruit Salad
To start you’ll want to whisk gelatin with boiling water until fully dissolved, about two minutes. I like to use a large glass measuring cup because it is easy to measure out the water, heat it up in the microwave then add the gelatin, all in the same container. A glass bowl also works great for this.
Kitchen Tip: Using a glass dish when preparing gelatin makes it easier to see when it is fully dissolved.
Whisk in ice and continue to stir until gelatin has thickened and ice is melted. This quicker if you have crushed ice but regular is will do. Your jello will get super cold and very, very thick. If you have any chunks of ice left over , you can remove them with a spoon. Transfer to the fridge while you prepare the rest of the ingredients.
In an extra large bowl, add 6 cups mini marshmallows, mandarin oranges, crushed pineapple, pudding and whipped topping. Fold until combined.
Looks great, doesn’t it? Gently stir in cold and thick cherry gelatin. Transfer to a large serving dish. Top with remaining 1/2 cup of mini marshmallows for garnish (if desired). Cover and refrigerate your jello marshmallow salad at least two hours.
You could also add some chopped nuts or maraschino cherries to the top, but I kept it simple with mini marshmallows.
Jello Marshmallow Salad Video
While this recipe is pretty easy to make, here is a step-by-step video so you can see it all come together!
How Long Will Marshmallow Fruit Salad Last?
This salad holds up well over several days covered in the refrigerator. You may find a little liquid in the bottom of the salad from the fruit after a couple of days, but not excessive. It is easy to eat around it or drain.
Cherry Jello Marshmallow Salad
Ingredients
- 1 6 oz box cherry gelatin
- 1 cup boiling water
- 1 cup ice
- 6 1/2 cups miniature marshmallows divided
- 2 15 oz cans mandarin oranges, drained
- 1 20 oz can crushed pineapple, undrained
- 1 5.1 oz box instant vanilla pudding
- 1 8 oz container whipped topping, thawed
Instructions
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In medium bowl or glass measuring cup, whisk gelatin with boiling water until fully dissolved, about two minutes.
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Whisk in ice and continue to stir until gelatin has thickened and ice is melted.
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Transfer to the fridge for 10 minutes.
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Meanwhile, in an extra large bowl add 6 cups mini marshmallows, mandarin oranges, crushed pineapple, pudding and whipped topping.
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Fold until combined. Gently stir in cold and thick cherry gelatin.
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Transfer to large serving dish. Top with remaining 1/2 cup of mini marshmallows for garnish (if desired).
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Cover and refrigerate at least two hours.
Recipe Notes
Other garnish options include chopped nuts or maraschino cherries (rinsed and dried).
Cherry Jello Marshmallow Salad is a fluffy side dish loaded with flavor and sure to be a hit with all ages! Serve this sweet side dish at your next holiday celebration, potluck or cookout. It is always a good time for Jello and this fruit salad with marshmallows and cool whip is no exception!
Eileen says
I very made this twice now. Its delicious. I add a jar of maraschino cherries cut in half too. I highly recommend this recipe for large or church potlucks.
Emilie says
I am so glad you love it as much as we do! It definitely makes a large amount so it is ideal for feeding a crowd. Love your idea of maraschino cherries. Will have to try that next time!