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Cranberry Salad

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close up overhead shot of a bowl of Cranberry Salad topped with sliced cranberries
Make our delicious cranberry salad a holiday staple. The whole family will love the sweet fruit combination mixed with fluffy whipped cream.
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Table of Contents
  1. CRANBERRY SALAD INGREDIENTS
  2. HOW TO MAKE THIS CRANBERRY SALAD RECIPE
  3. HOW TO SERVE
  4. STORAGE
  5. MORE RECIPES YOU’LL LOVE
  6. JUMP TO RECIPE

Crisp apples, tropical pineapple and tart cranberries combine with fluffy whipped cream in our easy cranberry salad. These simple ingredients create a sweet and colorful salad that is the perfect addition to your holiday menus this year.

Try our ambrosia salad and Watergate salad for two more dessert salad recipes. Both are packed full of yummy fluff salad favorites.

close up shot of a plate of Cranberry Salad topped with sliced cranberries

CRANBERRY SALAD INGREDIENTS

Cranberry Salad raw ingredients that are labeled

You’ll need:

  • 3 cups roughly chopped, thawed frozen cranberries (reserve 6-8 for optional garnish)
  • 1 (20-ounce) can crushed pineapple, drained
  • 1 cup diced gala apple, peeled and cored
  • ¾ cup granulated sugar
  • 2 teaspoon lemon juice
  • 2 cups mini-marshmallows  
  • 1 (12-ounce) tub of whipped topping, thawed
  • ¼ cup chopped walnuts

SUBSTITUTIONS AND ADDITIONS

APPLES: You can substitute the gala apple for any other sweet apple. 

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NUTS: Any chopped nuts can be used in this cranberry fluff recipe to give it a bit of crunch.

FRUIT: You can add mandarin oranges, canned fruit salad or other fruit in addition to the crushed pineapple for extra flavor and color.

CRANBERRIES: You can use fresh cranberries in place of the frozen ones if you are able to find them at the store. 

COOL WHIP: If you would prefer to use homemade whipped cream instead of Cool Whip in this easy fruit salad, check out our recipe here.

CREAM CHEESE: For a thicker dressing, you could mix in cream cheese with the Cool Whip.

HOW TO MAKE THIS CRANBERRY SALAD RECIPE

STEP ONE: Using a large bowl, combine the cranberries, pineapple and apples. 

Cranberry Salad process shot of ingredients being combined in a bowl

STEP TWO: Evenly sprinkle the granulated sugar over the cranberry mixture. 

PRO TIP:

If a sweeter cranberry salad is desired, you can use a full cup of sugar. This will offset the tartness of the cranberries.

Cranberry Salad process shot of ingredients in a bowl

STEP THREE: Pour the lemon juice over the cranberry mixture, and using a large spoon, stir to completely combine the mixture. Cover tightly and refrigerate for at least 4 hours.

Cranberry Salad process shot of lemon juice in a small cup over a bowl of Cranberry Salad ingredients

STEP FOUR: Remove the cranberry mixture from the refrigerator and drain any extra liquid from the mixture. 

STEP FIVE: Add the mini marshmallows, chopped walnuts and the whipped topping. Use a large spoon to completely incorporate all the ingredients. 

PRO TIP:

Stir all of the ingredients together carefully as you don’t want to break apart the fruit pieces.

Cranberry Salad process shot of ingredients in a bowl

STEP SIX: If you are using the 6 to 8 reserved cranberries for a garnish, slice the cranberries in half. Add to the top of the salad.

PRO TIP:

If you have the time, allow this apple cranberry salad to chill for at least a couple hours in the fridge. This will allow the flavors to mingle together in your salad.

HOW TO SERVE

This beautiful salad would be a great addition to your holiday table this year. Either as a side dish or as a dessert, your Thanksgiving and Christmas meal will be extra special with this fun treat to add to your plate. Don’t forget to add our cranberry sauce to your table as well.

STORAGE

IN THE FRIDGE: Cover any leftovers of this fresh cranberry salad tightly with plastic wrap or in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.

close up shot of a spoon of Cranberry Salad

This time of year, holiday recipes often feature the bright and vibrant colors of cranberries and our creamy cranberry salad is a great way to highlight this tangy fruit. Add it to your holiday table and I bet you won’t have any leftovers save!

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Can I make this recipe ahead of time?

It is actually best to make this cranberry fluff salad recipe ahead of time. It gives the salad time to let all the flavors mingle and combine together for an even tastier dessert.

Can I use homemade whipped cream instead of Cool Whip?

You could certainly substitute whipped topping with whipped cream. Check out our homemade whipped cream recipe for the details.

Can I add other fruit to the salad?

You could add mandarin oranges or chopped up pears to your cranberry pineapple salad as well.

MORE RECIPES YOU’LL LOVE

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close up overhead shot of a bowl of Cranberry Salad topped with sliced cranberries

Cranberry Salad

5 from 2 votes
Make our delicious cranberry salad a holiday staple. The whole family will love the sweet fruit combination mixed with fluffy whipped cream.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Total Time 4 hours 15 minutes
Servings 16

Ingredients
  

  • 3 cups cranberries roughly chopped and thawed frozen (reserve 6 to 8 for optional garnish)
  • 20 ounces crushed pineapple drained
  • 1 cup diced gala apple peeled and cored
  • ¾ cup granulated sugar
  • 2 teaspoon lemon juice
  • 2 cups mini-marshmallows
  • 12 ounces whipped topping thawed
  • ¼ cup walnuts chopped

Instructions
 

  • Using a large mixing bowl, combine the cranberries, pineapple and apples.
  • Evenly sprinkle the granulated sugar over the cranberry mixture.
  • Pour the lemon juice over the cranberry mixture, and using a large spoon, stir to completely combine the mixture. Cover tightly and refrigerate for at least 4 hours.
  • Remove the cranberry mixture from the refrigerator and drain any extra liquid from the mixture.
  • Add the mini marshmallows, chopped walnuts and the whipped topping. Use a large spoon to completely incorporate all the ingredients.
  • If you are using the 6 to 8 reserved cranberries for a garnish, slice the cranberries in half. Add to the top of the salad.

Notes

PRO TIP: If a sweeter cranberry salad is desired, you can use a full cup of sugar. This will offset the tartness of the cranberries.
 
PRO TIP: Stir all of the ingredients together carefully as you don’t want to break apart the fruit pieces.
 
PRO TIP: If you have the time, allow this apple cranberry salad to chill for at least a couple hours in the fridge. This will allow the flavors to mingle together in your salad.

Nutrition

Calories: 150kcal | Carbohydrates: 29g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 1mg | Sodium: 21mg | Potassium: 99mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 25g | Vitamin A: 49IU | Vitamin C: 6mg | Calcium: 25mg | Iron: 1mg
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Proudly Prepared by the Spaceships Kitchen

This recipe was developed, tested, cooked and photographed by the Spaceships Kitchen. From our dinner table to yours, we hope you think it's out of this world!

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