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Layered Cranberry Salad Recipe

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4.1 from 10 reviews

This Layered Cranberry Salad is a festive and refreshing dessert perfect for holiday gatherings. Combining the tartness of cranberries and raspberry jello with the creaminess of a smooth cream cheese topping, this salad offers a delightful balance of flavors and textures. The addition of nuts adds a satisfying crunch, making it a crowd-pleasing dish served chilled.

  • Author: Chef
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 0 minutes
  • Total Time: 3 hours 20 minutes
  • Yield: 16 servings
  • Category: Salad
  • Method: No-Cook
  • Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Jello Mixture

  • 2 (3-ounce) packages raspberry Jell-O (or 1 6-ounce package)
  • 1 1/2 cups boiling water
  • 1 (20-ounce) can crushed pineapple in 100% juice (not in heavy syrup, not fresh)
  • 1 (14-ounce) can whole berry cranberry sauce
  • 3/4 cup cranberry juice
  • 1 cup roasted pecans, chopped and divided

Cream Cheese Topping

  • 1 (8-ounce) block cream cheese, softened at room temperature
  • 1 cup sour cream
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar

Instructions

  1. Dissolve Jell-O: Dissolve the raspberry Jell-O in the boiling water by stirring until completely dissolved and smooth.
  2. Combine Ingredients: Remove the dissolved jello mixture from heat and mix in the crushed pineapple (including juice), whole berry cranberry sauce, cranberry juice, and 3/4 cup of the chopped pecans, reserving a small amount of nuts for garnish. Stir well to combine all ingredients evenly.
  3. Set the Jello Layer: Pour the mixture into a 9×13 inch glass baking dish. Place it in the refrigerator and allow it to chill and firm up for about 2 hours.
  4. Prepare Cream Cheese Topping: Using a hand mixer, cream the softened cream cheese and granulated sugar together until light and fluffy. Then add the sour cream and continue whipping until the mixture is completely smooth and lump-free.
  5. Assemble Salad: Once the jello mixture has set firm, spread the prepared cream cheese mixture evenly over the top of the jello layer. Sprinkle the reserved chopped toasted pecans on top for garnish.
  6. Chill to Set Topping: Return the salad to the refrigerator and chill for about 1 hour to allow the cream cheese topping to firm up before serving.

Notes

  • Use crushed pineapple packed in 100% juice, not syrup, for the best flavor balance.
  • Soften cream cheese completely at room temperature to ensure smooth and lump-free topping.
  • You can substitute chopped toasted walnuts for pecans if preferred.
  • The salad can be made a day ahead to allow flavors to meld and simplify holiday preparations.
  • Keep the dish refrigerated until ready to serve to maintain structure and freshness.

Find it online: https://cheftinaskitchen.com/layered-cranberry-salad-recipe/