Description
This Cranberry Fluff Salad is a festive holiday classic made with tart cranberries, sweet pineapple, mini marshmallows, and creamy whipped topping. Perfect as a side or dessert, this no-bake treat is quick to prepare, nostalgic, and always a crowd-pleaser for Thanksgiving or Christmas.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 (12 oz) bag fresh cranberries, rinsed and dried
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 (8 oz) can crushed pineapple, drained
- 2 cups mini marshmallows
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)
- 1 (8 oz) tub Cool Whip or whipped topping, thawed
- 1/2 cup sour cream
Instructions
- Prep cranberries: Pulse fresh cranberries in a food processor until finely chopped. Stir in sugar, cover, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour (or overnight).
- Drain and combine: Drain excess liquid from cranberries. In a large bowl, combine with crushed pineapple, marshmallows, sour cream, and nuts if using.
- Fold in whipped topping: Gently fold in Cool Whip until fluffy and well mixed.
- Chill and serve: Cover and refrigerate for 2–4 hours before serving. Garnish with extra nuts or sugared cranberries if desired.
Notes
- Always use fresh cranberries, not frozen, to avoid excess liquid.
- Don’t skip the cranberry resting step — it mellows tartness and improves texture.
- Let it chill at least 2 hours so flavors meld and marshmallows soften.
- Add nuts just before serving for extra crunch.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes (plus chill time)
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Dessert, Side Dish
- Method: No-Bake
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
Keywords: Cranberry Fluff Salad, Cranberry Marshmallow Dessert, Holiday Cranberry Salad, Cool Whip Cranberry Fluff, Southern Fluff Salad, Christmas Cranberry Recipes