Cranberry Fluff recipe is a creamy salad with cranberries, pecans, crushed pineapple, mini marshmallows and cream. The perfect side dish or dessert at Thanksgiving or Christmas.

cranberry fluffCRANBERRY FLUFF SALAD

This is one of those nostalgic recipes that your grandma made and is always at the holiday table. I tried four different versions of this starting with a twist on this Watergate Salad.

I also tried a version with Cool Whip. I’m not a fan of whipped topping by the way. It tastes synthetic to me.

Spoiler alert. Neither version won. This version had the creamiest texture with tart cranberries balanced with a sweet cream sauce.

cranberry fluff

INGREDIENTS

  • FRESH CRANBERRIES – Don’t use canned or frozen cranberries. Fresh is best here I promise.
  • SUGAR – Cranberries are very tart so sugar is necessary.
  • CRUSHED PINEAPPLE
  • CREAM CHEESE
  • HEAVY WHIPPING CREAM – The base of this creamy salad.
  • MINI MARSHMALLOWS
  • PECANS – Stir in nuts at the end for a nice crunch.

HOW TO MAKE CRANBERRY FLUFF

  1. In the bowl of food processor, pulse the cranberries and sugar. Pour the mixture into a medium bowl and add the well drained pineapple. Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour up to overnight.
  2. In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese until light and fluffy. Add the cream and whip until soft peaks form.
  3. Drain off the liquid from the cranberry mixture as well as you can and fold into the cream mixture. Next, fold in the marshmallows and pecans if using. Refrigerate until ready to serve. Mixture will firm as it chills. This can be made one day ahead of time.

cranberry fluff

OTHER THANKSGIVING RECIPES:

cranberry fluff

Cranberry Fluff

3.90 from 19 votes
Cranberry Fluff is a creamy salad with cranberries, pecans, crushed pineapple, mini marshmallows and cream. The perfect side or dessert at Thanksgiving or Christmas. 
Print Pin Rate
Prep Time: 20 minutes
chilling: 1 hour
Servings: 8 servings

Ingredients

  • 2 cups fresh cranberries
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 (8 ounce) can crushed pineapple, drained
  • 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
  • 2 cups heavy cream
  • 2 cups mini marshmallows
  • 1/2 cup chopped pecans, (optional)

Equipment

food processor

Instructions
 

  • In the bowl of food processor, pulse the cranberries and sugar. Pour the mixture into a medium bowl and add the well drained pineapple. Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour up to overnight.
  • In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese until light and fluffy. Add the cream and whip until soft peaks form.
  • Drain off the liquid from the cranberry mixture as well as you can and fold into the cream mixture. Next, fold in the marshmallows and pecans if using. Refrigerate until ready to serve. Mixture will firm as it chills. This can be made one day ahead of time.
Cuisine: American
Course: All Desserts, All Recipes, Desserts
Author: Christy Denney
cranberry fluff