Bright and sunny, this lemon fluff is a tropical-tasting way to enjoy dessert. The delightful fluff salad combines creamy lemon and cream cheese with juicy pineapple for plenty of citrus freshness.
Lemon Fluff Ingredients
This delectable dessert is light and creamy with the perfect balance of tart lemon flavor and just the right amount of sweetness.
Each spoonful is like a burst of sunshine on your tongue, leaving you feeling refreshed.
You’ll need:
- 2 (3-ounce) boxes of lemon jello
- 2 cups of boiling water
- 1 (8-ounce) package of cream cheese, softened
- 1 (20-ounce) can of crushed pineapple with juice
- 1 (16-ounce) container of whipped topping, use only 12 ounces for the fluff, and reserve four ounces for topping and garnishing
PRO TIP:
If preferred, buy two 8-ounce Cool Whip containers and use 1½ for the fluff and the extra half for the topping when serving.
Substitutions And Additions
LEMON JELLO: This fluffy salad recipe would be tasty with a variety of different flavors of jello. Strawberry jello would make for a strawberry and cream-style salad. Peach jello, for a peaches ‘n cream flavor, would also be super yummy.
PINEAPPLE: If you choose to change up the jello flavor in this easy no-bake dessert recipe, I would also recommend changing the fruit. For example, if you go with strawberry jello, try adding sliced strawberries in place of the pineapple.
How To Make This Lemon Fluff Recipe
Let’s walk through the quick and easy step-by-step instructions to make this creamy and citrusy treat.
OUR RECIPE DEVELOPER SAYS
This dessert is such a happy color, using a see-through bowl such as a trifle bowl would be a great way to show off the lovely yellow color.
STEP ONE: In a medium-sized mixing bowl, add the jello powder and carefully pour it into the boiling water. Using a whisk, stir until dissolved. Set aside to cool, for about 20 minutes.
STEP TWO: In a large bowl, add the softened cream cheese and crushed pineapple. Using an electric mixer on low speed, mix together the cream cheese and pineapple, gradually increasing the mixer speed to medium-high. Mix for about one minute until fully combined. There may be small flecks of cream cheese, and that’s okay.
STEP THREE: Next, pour the cooled jello liquid into the cream cheese and pineapple mixture. Using the hand mixer, start on low speed, so it doesn’t splash around a lot, and begin to mix, gradually increasing the speed to medium until it is well combined.
STEP FOUR: Next, add the 12 ounces of Cool Whip. Begin with a low speed on a hand mixer and gradually increase the speed to medium-high until well-combined, about two minutes. It will still be in liquid form but trust the jello to do its work, and it will solidify as it chills.
STEP FIVE: Pour into a large glass serving bowl, cover with cling wrap, and chill for at least four hours or until ready to serve. You could also use a 9×13 pan instead.
PRO TIP:
For best results, make sure you give your salad at least 4 hours of chilling time. It allows all of the yummy flavors to blend together.
STEP SIX: Serve with a dollop of Cool Whip and fresh fruit as garnish if desired.
How To Serve This Lemon Fluff Dessert
If you are a huge lemon fan, this delicious treat is where it’s at. Whether for a side dish or a dessert, this vintage fluff salad will get compliments every time.
It is a great choice to bring to a potluck or to serve at a holiday gathering, and everyone will love the fresh citrus and fluffy texture.
For an indulgent pairing, try serving this fluffy dessert with shortbread cookies or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
For a taste of nostalgia, pair with graham crackers or wafer cookies. The key is to find a complementary flavor combination that will enhance the deliciousness of your lemon fluff dessert.
I love the fresh taste of lemon desserts, and these lemon cheesecake bars and this lemon lava cake are two more tasty recipes that will be a hit.
I reach for this recipe when I need a dessert I can mix, chill, and serve without much planning. I’ve gathered all of my dessert salads and fluff recipes together so they’re easy to find again, and most of them use the same simple stir-together techniques.
MORE FLUFF RECIPES
If you want something baked for the same occasion, these lemon drop cakes disappear just as fast.
Storing Lemon Fluff Salad
Store this tasty fluff salad in the fridge or freezer to enjoy later. Here’s how:
IN THE FRIDGE: You can most definitely make lemon fluff jello salad ahead of time. In fact, I recommend making it the night before you plan to serve it.
That way, it can sit in the refrigerator, and the flavors can blend together. Be sure to store leftovers of your salad in an airtight container and keep them in the refrigerator. The salad will stay good in the fridge for 2 to 3 days.
IN THE FREEZER: You can freeze this lemon jello salad recipe, and it will keep for about three months. Since this is such a simple recipe to make, though, it’s best to make it fresh.
PRO TIP:
Another idea is to use your leftover lemon fluff dessert to make creamy popsicles by placing the leftovers into a popsicle mold. You can also spread it in a baking dish and scoop it up like ice cream once it freezes. It’s delicious this way!
This lemon fluff dessert only needs 10 minutes of prep time, and you’ll have yourself a delightful treat to serve on a hot summer day or for a special occasion. Tart lemon jello, sweet pineapple, and velvety cream cheese make this dessert salad a winner no matter when you serve it.
Frequently Asked Questions
There are plenty of variations on our lemon fluff salad. You can change up the jello flavor and fruit for whatever your imagination can come up with. Try peach or strawberry fluff salads for two great choices.
You could also add extra flavors to this lemon fluff salad too. How about making lemon raspberry fluff with fresh raspberries mixed in?
You can freeze this fluffy lemon jello salad; however, the texture may change once thawed. If you don’t mind this, the salad will keep for about three months in the freezer.
You could certainly substitute whipped topping with homemade whipped cream. Check out our tasty whipped cream recipe.
More Recipes You’ll Love
Lemon Fluff
Ingredients
- 6 ounces lemon jello two 3-ounce boxes
- 2 cups water boiling
- 8 ounces cream cheese room temperature
- 20 ounces crushed pineapple with juice not drained
- 16 ounces Cool Whip 12 ounces for the fluff and reserve 4 ounces for topping and garnishing
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, add the gelatin and carefully pour in the boiling water. Whisk until fully dissolved, then set aside to cool for about 20 minutes.
- In a large bowl, combine the softened cream cheese and crushed pineapple. Using a hand mixer, start on low speed and gradually increase to medium-high, mixing for about 1 minute until combined. Small bits of cream cheese are okay.
- Pour the cooled gelatin into the cream cheese and pineapple mixture. Using a hand mixer, begin on low speed to prevent splashing, then increase to medium speed and mix until fully incorporated.
- Add the Cool Whip to the bowl. Start mixing on low speed, then increase to medium-high and continue for about 2 minutes until everything is combined. The mixture will still be liquid, but it will set as it chills.
- Transfer the mixture to a large glass serving bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or until set. You can also use a 9×13 baking dish if preferred.
- Serve with a dollop of Cool Whip and fresh berries or other fruit for garnish, if desired.
Notes
- If you prefer, purchase two 8-ounce containers of Cool Whip and use one and a half for the mixture, saving the remaining half for topping when serving.
- This dessert has a bright, cheerful color, so using a clear bowl like a trifle dish is a great way to show it off.
- For the best texture, allow the salad to chill for at least 4 hours so the flavors have time to come together.
- If you have leftovers, spoon the mixture into popsicle molds for a creamy frozen treat, or spread it into a baking dish and freeze it so you can scoop it like ice cream.
Nutrition
Comments
Beecher Robertson says
Can I substitute sugar free jello, cool whip lite and lite cream cheese for original ingredients?
Layne Kangas says
That should work fine, enjoy!
Gail Gormley says
my family are not fans of lemon but I love it
Maria E. Montellano-Molina says
Definitely am going to make this recipe!!
Bobbie says
Oh this would be so awesome to mix up the jello flavors! Thanks!
Ryan Clark says
My mother made a layered jello and the middle layer consisted of lemon jello & cream cheese. I LIVED for that middle layer! Recently I asked her about said jello and about 2 weeks ago she sent me a link to this recipe. I wish I could be like most people and say “I made this and it was a hit with my family.” Which indeed it was. What I must confess is that I’ve made this 4 times in 2 weeks. Two times I added raspberries and two times I used strawberries. It. Is. DIVINE! Thank you so much for sharing this recipe
Deborah says
Could you use a Graham cracker pie crust and put the lemon fluff dessert in the pie crust?
Layne Kangas says
Hi, Deborah – we haven’t tried that but it sounds yummy. Let me know if you give it a try, enjoy!
Janet V Ross says
does the pineapple need to be chilled ? I keep all my canned fruits in the frig for emergency. desserts
Layne Kangas says
Hi, Janet – we haven’t tried it with chilled pineapple but I assume that would work ok. Enjoy!