Strawberry Fluff Salad Recipe
Introduction
Strawberry Fluff Salad is a delightful, creamy fruit salad that combines the sweetness of strawberries, pineapple, and marshmallows with a light whipped pudding base. Perfect for potlucks, picnics, or a refreshing dessert, this recipe is easy to make and sure to please the whole family.
Ingredients
- 3 ounces strawberry Jell-O (1 small box)
- 1 cup boiling water
- 1 cup ice cubes (typical freezer size)
- 3.4 ounces instant vanilla pudding (1 box)
- 8 ounces Cool Whip (thawed)
- 32 ounces fresh strawberries
- 20 ounces crushed pineapple (drained very well)
- 2-3 cups mini marshmallows
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large bowl, combine the strawberry Jell-O and boiling water. Stir until the sugars dissolve completely. Add the ice cubes and stir until they have melted. Place the bowl in the refrigerator and cool for about 10 minutes—you want it chilled, not solidified.
- Step 2: Add the instant vanilla pudding mix to the cooled Jell-O mixture and whisk until smooth and fully combined. Return the bowl to the refrigerator and chill for 20 minutes or until the mixture is set.
- Step 3: While the pudding mixture is cooling, rinse, dry, hull, and slice the strawberries.
- Step 4: Once the pudding mixture has set, whisk it again until smooth. Using a rubber spatula, gently fold in the thawed Cool Whip until the mixture is fluffy, smooth, and evenly blended.
- Step 5: Fold in the sliced strawberries, crushed pineapple, and mini marshmallows carefully to keep the fluff light.
- Step 6: Cover and place the salad back in the refrigerator. Chill for another 1 to 2 hours before serving to allow flavors to meld.
Tips & Variations
- For extra texture, toast the mini marshmallows lightly before folding them in.
- Substitute Cool Whip with homemade whipped cream for a fresher taste.
- Use frozen strawberries if fresh aren’t available, but thaw and drain them well to avoid excess moisture.
- Add chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts for a crunchy contrast.
Storage
Store Strawberry Fluff Salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Because of the fresh fruit and whipped texture, it’s best enjoyed within this time frame. When ready to serve, give it a gentle stir. Avoid freezing as it may change the texture and cause separation upon thawing.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I make Strawberry Fluff Salad ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare it a few hours or the day before serving. Just keep it covered and refrigerated to maintain freshness and texture.
What can I use if I don’t have instant pudding mix?
If you don’t have instant pudding mix, you can make a quick homemade pudding or substitute with a small amount of vanilla yogurt, but this may alter the texture slightly.
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Strawberry Fluff Salad Recipe
- Total Time: 2 hours 35 minutes (includes chilling time)
- Yield: 8–10 servings 1x
Description
Strawberry Fluff Salad is a light and airy dessert salad featuring a delightful blend of strawberry Jell-O, creamy vanilla pudding, whipped topping, fresh strawberries, crushed pineapple, and mini marshmallows. This chilled treat offers a perfect balance of fruity sweetness and fluffy texture, ideal for potlucks, picnics, and family gatherings.
Ingredients
Gelatin Base
- 3 ounces strawberry Jell-O (1 small box)
- 1 cup boiling water
- 1 cup ice cubes (typical freezer size)
Pudding Mixture
- 3.4 ounces instant vanilla pudding (1 box)
- 8 ounces Cool Whip (thawed)
Fruit and Add-ins
- 32 ounces fresh strawberries, rinsed, dried, hulled, and sliced
- 20 ounces crushed pineapple (drained very well)
- 2–3 cups mini marshmallows
Instructions
- Prepare Gelatin: In a large bowl, dissolve the strawberry Jell-O powder in 1 cup of boiling water by stirring until the sugars completely dissolve. Add the ice cubes and stir continuously until the ice cubes have melted. Chill this mixture in the refrigerator for about 10 minutes to cool it without allowing it to solidify.
- Add Pudding Mix: Incorporate the instant vanilla pudding powder into the cooled Jell-O mixture and whisk vigorously until the mixture is smooth and fully combined. Return it to the refrigerator for 20 minutes, or until the pudding mixture is chilled and begins to set.
- Prepare Strawberries: While the pudding mixture chills, rinse the fresh strawberries thoroughly, pat them dry, remove the hulls, and slice them evenly.
- Combine with Whipped Topping: Once the pudding mixture is set, whisk it again until smooth. Using a rubber spatula, gently fold in the thawed Cool Whip until the mixture is fluffy, smooth, and uniformly colored.
- Add Fruit and Marshmallows: Fold the sliced strawberries, well-drained crushed pineapple, and mini marshmallows into the fluffy pudding mixture carefully to maintain the airy texture.
- Chill and Serve: Transfer the combined salad into a serving dish, cover, and refrigerate for at least one to two hours to allow the flavors to meld and the salad to chill before serving.
Notes
- Ensure the crushed pineapple is thoroughly drained to prevent the salad from becoming too watery.
- Allow the Jell-O mixture to cool but not set before adding pudding for optimal texture.
- Use thawed Cool Whip to avoid lumps in the salad.
- This salad is best served chilled and can be prepared a day ahead.
- Optional: Adjust mini marshmallows quantity based on desired sweetness and texture.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: Strawberry Fluff Salad, dessert salad, Jello salad, creamy strawberry salad, fruity pudding salad
