May 29, 2023
Review RecipeCranberry Salad

Table of Contents
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.

CRANBERRY SALAD INGREDIENTS

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.
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.

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.

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.

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.

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.
MORE SWEET SALAD RECIPES
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.

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
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.
You could certainly substitute whipped topping with whipped cream. Check out our homemade whipped cream recipe for the details.
You could add mandarin oranges or chopped up pears to your cranberry pineapple salad as well.
MORE RECIPES YOU’LL LOVE
- Pistachio Salad
- Jello Salad
- Peach Pretzel Salad
- Orange Creamsicle Salad
- Overnight Fruit Salad
- Lemon Fluff
- Strawberry Pretzel Salad
- Tropical Cheesecake Fruit Salad
- Tomato Cucumber Salad
- Cucumber Salad
- Strawberry Spinach Salad
- Pudding Fruit Salad

Cranberry Salad
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.
Comments
Gloria says
My kids love this! Definitely a classic!
ROSE REYNOLDS says
I LOVE THE AMBROSIA SALAD SO MUCH I HAVE MADE TWICE IT MY FAVORITE ONE