Brighten up your holiday table with this easy Cranberry Fluff Salad! Packed with sweet-tart cranberries, fluffy whipped cream, and marshmallows, it’s the perfect mix of sweet and tangy. Whether as a side dish or a light dessert, this festive salad will be a hit with everyone!
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Below you will find tips, tricks and helpful hints for making this recipe including step by step instructions with pictures. If you would like to go directly to the recipe, scroll down to the recipe card or tap “Jump to Recipe” at the top of the page.
Cranberry Salad for Thanksgiving
This Thanksgiving, switch things up and try this delicious Cranberry Fluff Salad instead of the usual cranberry sauce! It’s a fun, festive side dish that pairs perfectly with your Thanksgiving turkey—and it only takes a few simple ingredients to make.
The result? A fluffy, sweet salad that works great as a side or even as a dessert. And the best part? You can whip it up in less than 10 minutes!
This versatile recipe resembles a cranberry Jello salad and is totally customizable. Feel free to add or take away any ingredients to your liking and add this salad to your holiday table! You might also like this Lemon Fluff Salad as well. Get my complete Thanksgiving Recipe plan here and try this Non-Alcoholic Thanksgiving Punch!
Cranberry Fluff Ingredients
*Ingredient amounts are located in the recipe card at the end of this post.
- Canned Cranberry Sauce: For this recipe, I like to use Whole Berry Cranberry Sauce, but you can also use canned cranberry sauce jelly or make your own sauce with fresh cranberries as well. If you want to make homemade cranberry sauce, try this 3 Ingredient Cranberry Sauce recipe or this cranberry sauce with orange.
- Crushed Pineapple: This can be found near the canned fruit at the grocery store. Before adding it to the salad, you will need to drain the liquid from the can.
- Miniature Marshmallows: This is definitely one of my favorite parts of this salad. I love the texture and sweetness that these add and they compliment the tartness of the cranberries.
- Sugar: Make sure to use granulated sugar, as it dissolves better than other types.
- Heavy Whipping Cream: This adds a nice, creamy texture and makes it taste even more decadent.
- Cream Cheese: This slightly tangy ingredient pairs nicely with the sweet flavors of this dish.
- Chopped Walnuts: I like to add some chopped walnuts for a bit of texture and flavor.
How Many Servings are in this Cranberry Fluff Salad?
This Thanksgiving salad recipe will make about 12-16 servings, depending on how much is in each. You can easily adjust the proportions to fit your needs, so feel free to make extra or less depending on the size of your crowd.
How to Make Thanksgiving Cranberry Salad
[Step 1] Use a stand mixer or hand mixer and a large bowl to whip the heavy cream until stiff peaks form.
[Step 2] In a small bowl, beat together the cream cheese and sugar until smooth, then gently fold into the whipped cream.
[Step 3] In a separate bowl, mix the drained crushed pineapple and cranberry sauce. Fold the mixture into the whipped cream mixture.
[Step 4] Refrigerate for 1 hour, then stir in walnuts and marshmallows.
Helpful Kitchen Tools
How to Store Cranberry Fluff
To store this salad, keep it in an airtight container or covered with plastic wrap in the refrigerator until you are ready to serve. It will stay fresh for up to a week, though I recommend eating it within 3-4 days for best results.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is This Recipe Kid-Friendly? This easy cranberry salad recipe recipe is definitely kid-friendly, thanks to its sweet and creamy flavor. Feel free to add a bit of extra sugar to the recipe if you have kids who prefer things on the sweeter side.
- How Long Does It Take to Make This Cranberry Fluff Salad? This recipe takes about 10 minutes from start to finish, which makes it perfect for busy holiday get-togethers! Simply mix together all the ingredients and let it chill in the fridge until you are ready to serve.
- How Can I Customize This Recipe? This recipe is totally customizable, so feel free to add or take away any ingredients that you like. Some other fun additions could include dried cranberries, raisins, mandarin oranges, fresh fruits, chopped apples, and/or orange zest. Or even try adding a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an extra decadent twist!
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for something sweet, delicious, and super easy to make for your Thanksgiving meal, then look no further than this cranberry fluff salad. With just a few simple ingredients, you can create a fluffy, flavorful salad that’s perfect as a side dish or even dessert.
Best of all, it takes less than 10 minutes to make and can be stored in the fridge for up to a week, making it the perfect dish to bring along to your next holiday dinner party. So why not give this recipe a try? Your family and guests will love it! Happy Thanksgiving!
The Best Thanksgiving Recipes to Try:
- Herb Roasted Turkey
- The Best Turkey Gravy
- Make Ahead Creamy Mashed Potatoes
- Sweet Potato Casserole
- Lion House Rolls with Whipped Honey Butter
- Costco Pumpkin Pie
Watch How to Make Cranberry Fluff:
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Cranberry Fluff Salad
Ingredients
- 2 Cups Heavy Whipping Cream
- 4 Ounces Cream Cheese softened
- 1/2 Cup Sugar
- 1 Can 14 Ounces Whole Berry Cranberry Sauce
- 1 Can 20 ounces Crushed Pineapple, drained
- 2 Cups Miniature Marshmallows
- 1/4 Cup Chopped Walnuts
Instructions
- Use a stand mixer or hand mixer and a large bowl to whip the heavy cream until stiff peaks form.
- In a small bowl, beat together the cream cheese and sugar until smooth, then gently fold into the whipped cream.
- In a separate bowl, mix the drained crushed pineapple and cranberry sauce. Fold the mixture into the whipped cream mixture.
- Stir in walnuts and marshmallows, then refrigerate at least 1 hour before serving.
