My Cranberry Fluff is a festive, fruity side dish that brings color, sweetness, and a touch of nostalgia to your holiday table. It has tart cranberries, juicy mandarin oranges, and fun marshmallows folded into whipped topping, it’s a no-bake crowd-pleaser that’s as easy as it is irresistible.
If you love fun salads, check out my Strawberry Pretzel Jello Dessert and my Vintage Lime Jello Salad.
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Why this Cranberry Fluff Salad Recipe is a Keeper
Cranberry Fluff is perfect for the holidays because it’s festive, easy to make ahead, and always a crowd-pleaser. It adds a pop of color and sweetness to the table, balancing out heavier dishes with its light, creamy texture. Whether served as a side or dessert, it’s nostalgic, kid-friendly, and ideal for potlucks or family gatherings.
- No Baking Required: Just mix, chill, and serve. Exactly what you want during busy holiday prep.
- Perfect for Holidays: Bright, festive, and easy to make ahead.
- Kid-Friendly: Sweet, creamy, and full of marshmallows.
- Versatile: Works as a side dish, dessert, or potluck favorite.
Can I use Dried Cranberries, Fresh or Frozen Cranberries in this Recipe?
Yes. For dried cranberries, you would need to rehydrate them first. Soak in juice for several hours. Just thaw them first and pat dry before pulsing. They’ll chop beautifully and still give that signature tart flavor that we love in cranberries.
Pro Tip – Ambrosia Jello Fluff Salad
Use one 3 oz box of flavored gelatin. Dissolve it in ¾ cup boiling water and mix into the cranberry base, Allow to set and follow the recipe to make a jello fruit salad.
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Ingredient Notes for this Thanksgiving Side Dish
This cranberry fluff salad is a little more special than traditional cranberry sauce. It only takes some cool whip and a few other simple ingredients. It is a perfect side to go along with sweet potato casserole, roast turkey and stuffing.
Get the full printable recipe with specific measurements and directions in the recipe card below.
- Fresh Cranberries: Tart, vibrant and beautiful in color, the whole cranberries are the star of the fluff.
- Granulated Sugar : Balances the tartness of the cranberries and helps them release their juices as they chill.
- Canned Mandarin Oranges: These add sweetness, juiciness, and a soft texture that complements the cranberries.
- Frozen Whipped Topping: This gives the fluff its creamy, airy texture and ties all the ingredients together into a light, spoonable salad.
- Marshmallows: Miniature marshmallows are fun and add volume to the fluff.
Variations to Make Cranberry Fluff Dessert
There are always ways to make this recipe recipe your own. Things you can add or swap out to make it a family favorite. It is a sweet and tangy side for your holiday meal.
- Fruit Swaps: Try crushed pineapple or chopped apples instead of mandarin oranges. The crushed pineapple gives a nice sweetness.
- Add-ins: Mix in crunchy pecans, chopped walnuts, coconut flakes, or dried cranberries for texture in this easy cranberry fluff.
- Whipped Topping: Use heavy cream for homemade whipped cream or dairy-free alternatives if preferred. Cream cheese is a great addition to the cranberry mixture and adds a fluffy texture.
- Sweeten: Adjust sugar to taste or use honey for a natural twist.
Special Equipment Needed for the Cranberry Fluff Recipe
To make the cranberry salad you will want to pulse cranberries in the processor.
- Food Processor: Pulse whole berries not mashed, not finely chopped.
How to Make this Cranberry Recipe with Cool Whip
This salad made with fresh cranberries and mini marshmallows is a great salad with fresh whole cranberries.
Get the full printable recipe with specific measurements and directions in the recipe card below.
- Chop the Cranberries: First, pulse fresh cranberries in a food processor until chopped but before they turn mushy.
- Combine the Cranberry and Sugar and Chill: In a large bowl, combine chopped cranberries, sugar, orange zest, and mandarin oranges. Stir well, cover, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or overnight.
- Fold in the Fluff: Next, gently fold in the thawed whipped topping and mini marshmallows until fully combined.
- Chill: Finally, refrigerate until ready to serve. Refrigerate overnight if possible. The longer it chills, the better the flavor and texture.
Prep Ahead Suggestions for Cranberry Fluff Dessert Recipe
You can prep this holiday side dish or dessert in advance for thanksgiving dinner or as an easter jello salad.
- Base: Make the cranberry-orange base up to 2 days ahead.
- Gently: Fold in whipped topping and marshmallows the day of serving.
- Refrigerate: Chill overnight for best flavor and texture.
Alternate Serving Methods for Thanksgiving or Christmas
This is an absolute favorite because of the sweet and tart flavor. It is a classic choice for your holiday meals. If you want to make it a little different, try:
- Mini Cups: Spoon into small dessert cups for individual servings.
- Layered Parfaits: Alternate with granola or crushed cookies.
- Tart Filling: Use as a no-bake filling in graham cracker crusts
How to Store Cranberry Fluff and Use Leftovers
- Store: Keep stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Use leftovers: Spoon over pancakes, waffles, or swirl into yogurt
Common Questions About This Dessert Salad Recipe
Honestly, it is not ideal. The whipped topping and marshmallows don’t thaw well. Stick to refrigerating.
I really think you need the sweet with the tartness of the berries. However, you can reduce sugar or use unsweetened whipped cream to balance the tart cranberries.
It is both. It is sweet enough to serve as a dessert but it can also be an impressive side dish.
Tips for Making this Fluff Recipe with Cranberries
This is a fun change from whole berry cranberry sauce. Here are some hints on how to make this cranberry fluff salad for thanksgiving.
- Prep: Pulse, don’t puree: You want texture, not cranberry mush.
- Refrigerate: Chill time matters: Letting the base rest helps the sugar dissolve and flavors meld.
- Fold Cream Mixture Gently: Keeps the whipped topping fluffy and the marshmallows intact.
- Serve Cold: It’s creamiest and most refreshing straight from the fridge.
- Serve this recipe with: Turkey, Boursin Mashed Potatoes and Sweet Potato Muffins.
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Cranberry Fluff
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Ingredients
- 12 ounces Fresh Cranberries
- 1 cup Granulated Sugar
- 2 teaspoons Orange Zest
- 15 ounces Mandarin Oranges, 1 can drained and finely chopped
- 2 cups Mini Marshmallows
- 8 ounces Whipped Topping, frozen, thawed
Instructions
- Place the cranberries in the bowl of a food processor and pulse until the berries are finely chopped. Stop pulsing before they get mushy.
- Transfer the cranberries to a large bowl and add the sugar, orange zest and chopped mandarin oranges. Stir until completely combined, cover and refrigerate for at least one hour to overnight.
- After the mixture has chilled, fold the whipped topping and marshmallows into the salad.
- Refrigerate until ready to serve.
Christina’s Notes
- Chop, Don’t Purée: Use a food processor to coarsely chop the fresh cranberries. You want texture, not mush. Pulse them 6-8 times, being careful not to over-process.
- Sugar Soak: Combine the chopped cranberries with the sugar and refrigerate this mixture for at least 4 hours, but preferably overnight.
- Drain Excess Liquid (Optional but Recommended): Before adding the cream base, you may want to drain off some of the excess juice from the cranberry-sugar mixture. This helps prevent your finished fluff from becoming too watery or “soupy.”
- Cold is King for Whipped Cream: If using homemade whipped cream (highly recommended for the best flavor), ensure your heavy whipping cream, bowl, and whisk attachment are all icy cold. Chilling the bowl in the freezer for 10-15 minutes helps create the stiffest, most stable peaks.
- Gentle Folding: Once your cream base (whipped cream/cream cheese mixture) is ready, use a rubber spatula to gently fold it into the cranberry mixture. Use an under-and-over motion to combine without deflating the air you just whipped into the cream.
For more helpful information about this recipe, such as variations, substitutions and other pro-tips, scroll up on the page.