This fluffy cranberry salad is made with fresh cranberries, pineapple, marshmallows, apples and whipped cream. It’s a sweet, tangy holiday side dish that’s a favorite!
This salad is a must for our Thanksgiving menu! It’s a classic just like sweet potato casserole with marshmallows and sausage stuffing.
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Cranberry Fluff
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 It’s a classic just like 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.
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 Fluff Salad
- Crush 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!
More cranberry recipes to try include cranberry banana bread, cranberry orange bread and white chocolate cranberry cookies.
More Cranberry Recipes
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Cranberry Fluff Salad
Ingredients
- 3 cups fresh cranberries , 12 ounce bag
- ⅔ 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
- Mince cranberries: Crush 3 cups fresh cranberries with 2/3 cup 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.
- Chill. Move the cranberries to a large glass bowl. Mix in 20 can crushed pineapple. Then refrigerate for at least 1 hour, up to overnight.
- Add cream. Drain any juices and then mix in 1 green apples and 2-3 cups marshmallows. Add the coconut and nuts if desired. Fold in 1-2 cups whipped cream.
- Place salad in refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving. Add a few additional marshmallows on top if desired.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.
Did you make this recipe? Don’t forget to give it a star rating below!
Categorized as: American, Christmas, Desserts, Fruit Desserts, Fruit Salad, No-Bake, Nut-Free, Salads, Thanksgiving, Vegetarian, Vegetarian
Jamielyn Nye is the founder and recipe creator at I Heart Naptime. She is the author of the I Heart Naptime Cookbook and shares easy family-friendly recipes and desserts for every occasion.
I really loved it! So easy to make and so good!
This easy cranberry fluff salad looks absolutely delicious! Yummy!
So. Much. Flavor! This is and has always been a Thanksgiving staple and I am loving everything about this delicious recipe.
We make something similar to this every holiday but never thought to make it cranberry flavored! Love it!
This is so yummy and perfect for the holidays, so glad to find a version without Cool Whip!
This look so tasty I cant wait to make it for my family!