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Cranberry Salad

Fluffy, creamy and colorful this cranberry salad is filled with fresh cranberries, pineapple, marshmallows, apples and whipped cream. It’s sweet, tangy and a favorite holiday side dish!

This salad is a must for our Thanksgiving menu! It’s a classic just like sweet potato casserole with marshmallows and sausage stuffing.

Cranberry fluff salad in a glass bowl.
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Easy Cranberry Fluff Salad

This easy cranberry fluff is similar to my ambrosia salad, but made with cranberries instead of mandarin oranges. It’s the perfect Thanksgiving side dish but can also be dessert!

Cranberry salad (aka cranberry fluff) is made with fresh cranberries, pineapple, marshmallows, chopped apples and whipped cream. You can even mix in nuts or coconut, which adds a nice crunch. However I usually leave those out to keep it kid-friendly.

Some other favorite classic salads that we love to make include this watergate salad, raspberry jello pretzel salad and pineapple fluff!

Cranberry Salad Ingredients

The ingredients for this cranberry fluff are super simple. Below are the base ingredients, but feel free to add in extras like chopped pecans or shredded coconut for some crunch.

Cranberry salad ingredients in bowls.

Scroll down for the printable recipe.

  • Fresh cranberries
  • Granulated sugar
  • Crushed pineapple
  • Green apple
  • Mini marshmallows
  • Whipped cream (or cool whip)

How to Make Cranberry Salad

Cranberries chopped in blender.
  • Crush the cranberries. Add the cranberries and sugar to a food processor or blender and begin blending together. Scrape down the sides and blend a few more seconds. You want the cranberries to be cut into small pieces, but not liquid.
  • Stir in pineapple and refrigerate. Then mix in the pineapple and chill in fridge for at least 1 hour, up to overnight.
  • Add remaining ingredients and chill again. Drain the juices, then stir in the apples and marshmallows. Add the coconut and nuts if desired. Fold in the cream. Then place the cranberry salad in refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving.

Helpful Tips

  • Blender. I like to use a blender or food processor to crush the cranberries. Just don’t puree them.
  • Juices. Make sure all of the juices are completely drained so that you don’t have a runny salad.
  • Creamy. I added the full 2 cups of whipped cream because my family likes it extra creamy. If you want to keep it more on the tart side, add 1 cup.
  • Cool whip. You can use cool whip in place of whipped cream if preferred.
  • Make ahead. This is a great dish that can be made the night before. Follow steps 1 and 2, then complete the 3rd step on the day of serving.
  • Top. Top with whole fresh cranberries and mini marshmallows for an extra festive touch!
Cranberry salad with marshmallows.

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cranberry salad with marshmallows

Cranberry Salad

5 from 8 votes
↑ Click stars to rate now!
Author: Jamielyn Nye
Sweet, tangy and creamy this cranberry fluff salad is filled with fresh cranberries, pineapple, marshmallows, apples and whipped cream. A favorite holiday side!
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Refrigerate: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Servings: 12

Ingredients 

  • 3 cups fresh cranberries , 12 ounce bag
  • cup granulated sugar
  • 20 ounce can crushed pineapple , drained
  • 1 green apple , chopped
  • 2-3 cups mini marshmallows
  • 1-2 cups whipped cream , or cool whip

Optional: 1/2 cup chopped pecans, 1/2 cup shredded coconut

    Instructions

    • Crush the cranberries with the sugar in a food processor or blender. Scrape down the sides and blend a few more seconds. You want the cranberries to be cut into small pieces, but not liquid.
    • Move the cranberries to a large glass bowl. Mix in the pineapple. Then refrigerate for at least 1 hour, up to overnight.
    • Drain any juices and then mix in the apples and marshmallows. Add the coconut and nuts if desired. Fold in cream.
    • Place salad in refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving. Add a few additional marshmallows on top if desired.

    Notes

    For homemade whipped cream: https://www.iheartnaptime.net/simple-homemade-whipped-cream/

    Nutrition

    Calories: 119.34kcal | Carbohydrates: 28.23g | Protein: 0.69g | Fat: 1.24g | Saturated Fat: 0.71g | Cholesterol: 3.8mg | Sodium: 8.27mg | Potassium: 103.42mg | Fiber: 2.13g | Sugar: 22.84g | Vitamin A: 81.06IU | Vitamin C: 8.46mg | Calcium: 15.52mg | Iron: 0.23mg

    Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.

    Course: Side Dish
    Cuisine: American

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