Cherry Jello Marshmallow Salad Recipe

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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. Jello salad with marshmallows and pineapple is a family favorite, especially for holiday dinners. (If want a fresh fruit salad, you need to try this fresh cantaloupe salad recipe.)

Jello Marshmallow Salad Ingredients

To make this cherry jello salad recipe, you’ll need the following simple 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 flavor of jello. 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 and I love the combination of cherry jello with fruit!

If you prefer jello with fruit cocktail and marshmallows, you can replace the mandarin oranges with a can of fruit cocktail that is well drained. If you like a fluff salad with sour cream and not the cottage cheese version, try my orange fluff without cottage cheese or my fluff jello salad with fresh strawberries. So good! If you love cream cheese, try this lime jello salad with cream cheese. If you like a jello recipe with no chunky fruit, try this easy jello and applesauce recipe!

I used white mini marshmallows but you can use the fruity fun variety with strawberry, orange and lemon lime marshmallows if you prefer.

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 creamy Cool Whip. 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. It is the perfect side dish for holiday dinners. This is a retro recipe that has stood the test of time for good reason. Who doesn’t love a creamy fruit salad? The canned pineapple, juicy mandarin oranges, creamy Cool Whip and fluffy marshmallows makes for such a refreshing jello-salad!

Jello Marshmallow Salad Video

While this jello marshmallow 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 cherry marshmallow salad holds up well over several days covered with plastic wrap or stored in an airtight container 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.

I just love the combination of marshmallows and jello. If you are looking for the perfect jello marshmallow dessert or side dish, this is it! This is a great recipe for family gatherings because it makes enough to feed a larger group. Don’t hesitate to take it to your family reunion, church potluck or add it to your Thanksgiving table as a nice alternative to classic ambrosia or watergate salad.

4.41 from 22 votes

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Cherry Jello Marshmallow Salad

Jello Marshmallow Salad is a favorite side dish recipe for the holidays, picnics and potlucks. This marshmallow fruit salad uses Jello, canned pineapple, mandarin oranges, pudding, cool whip and marshmallows to make a refreshing and fluffy treat!

Course Side Dish

Keyword cherry, cherry jello, Christmas, Easter brunch, fluff salad, fruit salad, fruit salad with marshmallows, gelatin, gelatin salad, holidays, jello, jello salad, marshmallow, marshmallow salad, mother's day, side dish, Thanksgiving

Prep Time 10 minutes

Chill Time 2 hours

Total Time 2 hours 10 minutes

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

1. In medium bowl or glass measuring cup, whisk gelatin with boiling water until fully dissolved, about two minutes.
2. Whisk in ice and continue to stir until gelatin has thickened and ice is melted.
3. Transfer to the fridge for 10 minutes.
4. Meanwhile, in an extra large bowl add 6 cups mini marshmallows, mandarin oranges, crushed pineapple, pudding and whipped topping.
5. Fold until combined. Gently stir in cold and thick cherry gelatin.
6. Transfer to large serving dish. Top with remaining 1/2 cup of mini marshmallows for garnish (if desired).
7. Cover and refrigerate at least two hours.

Recipe Video

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!