Try our Easy Cranberry Jello Salad with Cream Cheese Topping for a delightful mix of tart cranberries and creamy goodness. It’s a holiday favorite, blending cranberry flavors with a smooth cream cheese topping. Serve it as a dessert or side dish to impress your family and guests with its taste and look.

Key Takeaways

• Classic holiday dessert that appeals to all ages
• Combines the tartness of cranberries with the creaminess of a cheese topping
• Easy to prepare with budget-friendly ingredients
• Can be made ahead of time for convenient entertaining
• Visually stunning addition to any holiday table

Why This Classic Holiday Dessert Will Become Your Family Favorite

The family favorite cranberry jello salad with cream cheese topping is a holiday hit. It’s an easy dessert that brings festive cheer and a mix of tasty flavors. Your guests will love it so much, they’ll ask for more.

Perfect for Holiday Gatherings

This holiday tradition stands out with its bright red color and fancy look. It’s great for any holiday event, from Thanksgiving to Christmas. It adds elegance and joy to your table, all for a low cost.

Make-Ahead Convenience

This family favorite dessert is easy to prepare ahead of time. You can make the jello salad early, freeing up time for other holiday tasks. Just chill it until it’s time to serve, and you’ll have a stress-free easy dessert.

Budget-Friendly Ingredients

This cranberry jello salad uses simple, affordable recipe ingredients. From cranberries to cream cheese, every part is budget-friendly. It’s perfect for big gatherings or when you’re watching your spending.

Essential Ingredients for Cranberry Jello Salad with Cream Cheese Topping

Making a cranberry jello salad with cream cheese topping is a fun holiday tradition. To get the right mix of flavors and textures, you’ll need a few key ingredients.

The cranberry jello salad shines with fresh or canned cranberries. Choose between whole, juicy fresh cranberries or canned cranberry sauce. For a nice balance, pick a box of your favorite jello mix. It can be classic red or something more colorful like orange or raspberry.

The cream cheese topping makes this dish special. It adds a creamy, tangy touch to the sweet-tart jello. Use top-quality cream cheese for the best taste and texture.

Adding nuts like chopped walnuts or pecans, or fresh fruits like diced apples or mandarin oranges, can make the salad even better. These extras bring crunch and sweetness.

Ingredient	Quantity
Fresh cranberries	12 oz (340g)
Canned cranberry sauce	1 (14 oz) can
Jello mix (any flavor)	1 (3 oz) package
Cream cheese	8 oz (225g)
Walnuts or pecans (optional)	1 cup, chopped
Fresh fruits (optional)	1 cup, diced

With these ingredients, you’re ready to make a tasty cranberry jello salad. It’s sure to impress your family and friends during the holidays.

Kitchen Tools and Equipment Needed

To make the perfect cranberry jello salad, you’ll need some key tools. A good jello mold and a electric mixer are essential. Each tool is important for making the salad.

Must-Have Utensils

• A medium-sized mixing bowls for preparing the jello mixture
• A whisk or spoon for thoroughly incorporating the ingredients
• A serving dish or mold to shape and present the final salad
• A sharp knife for slicing and portioning the jello salad
• Measuring cups and spoons for accurate ingredient measurements

Recommended Molds and Dishes

The type of jello mold or serving dish you choose matters. A classic ring-shaped mold or a festive holiday-themed dish can make your salad look great.

Time-Saving Tools

Using an electric mixer or a food processor can save you time. They help make the cream cheese topping smooth and creamy with less effort.

With the right tools, you’ll make a wonderful cranberry jello salad. It’s sure to impress your guests this holiday season.

Step-by-Step Preparation Guide

Making the perfect cranberry jello salad with a creamy cream cheese topping is easy. Just follow these simple steps. You’ll create a delicious holiday dessert that everyone will love.

1. Begin by making the jello as the package says. Use cold water for the best results. Wait until it’s slightly set before adding your fruit.
2. When the jello is syrupy, mix in your cranberries or other fruit. Pour it into a greased mold or dish. Chill it until it’s set, which takes about 4 hours or overnight.
3. While the jello salad chills, make the cream cheese topping. In a bowl, mix cream cheese, powdered sugar, and a bit of vanilla extract until it’s smooth.
4. Once the jello salad is firm, unmold it onto a plate. Spread the cream cheese topping over it. This creates a tasty contrast between the tart cranberries and the creamy topping.
5. Chill the cranberry jello salad for 30 minutes before serving. This lets the topping set properly.

Follow these steps for a cranberry jello salad that will wow your guests. It’s a perfect mix of flavors and textures, perfect for holiday gatherings!

Tips for the Perfect Cream Cheese Topping

To make your Cranberry Jello Salad even better, start with the cream cheese topping. Let the cream cheese warm up at room temperature for 30 minutes. This makes it smooth and creamy, perfect for the sweet-tart jello.

Achieving the Right Consistency

For the perfect topping, whip the cream cheese until it’s light and fluffy. Add a little heavy cream or sour cream slowly. Keep mixing until it’s just right, spreadable but still holds its shape.

Flavor Variations

Don’t stick to just the classic cream cheese topping. Try adding a teaspoon of vanilla for sweetness or some lemon or orange zest for a citrusy kick. These small changes can make a big difference in taste.

Spreading Techniques

For a smooth, even topping, use an offset spatula or the back of a spoon. Start in the middle and spread outwards. This way, you get even coverage. For a fancy touch, make swirls or peaks with the spatula.

FAQ

What is the main ingredient in Cranberry Jello Salad?

The main ingredient in Cranberry Jello Salad is, unsurprisingly, cranberries. This classic holiday dish features the tart and festive flavor of cranberries combined with the sweet and creamy topping.

Can I use fresh or canned cranberries?

You can use either fresh or canned cranberries for this recipe. Fresh cranberries will provide a more vibrant, tart flavor, while canned cranberry sauce offers a sweeter and smoother texture.

How far in advance can I make the Cranberry Jello Salad?

The Cranberry Jello Salad can be made several days in advance, making it a convenient and stress-free option for holiday gatherings. The jello will need to chill for at least 4 hours, but it can be prepared up to 3 days ahead of time.

Is this recipe budget-friendly?

Yes, the Cranberry Jello Salad is a budget-friendly option, as the main ingredients – cranberries, jello, and cream cheese – are relatively inexpensive. This makes it an ideal dish for feeding a crowd during the holiday season.

What type of jello works best for this recipe?

While you can use any flavor of jello, the traditional choice for Cranberry Jello Salad is cranberry-flavored jello. This complements the tart cranberries and creates a cohesive flavor profile.

How do I achieve the perfect cream cheese topping?

To create a smooth and creamy topping, be sure to use high-quality cream cheese and beat it until it’s light and fluffy. You can also experiment with flavor variations, such as adding vanilla extract or citrus zest, to complement the cranberry flavor.

Can I add additional fruits or nuts to the Cranberry Jello Salad?

Absolutely! The Cranberry Jello Salad is a versatile dish that can be customized with various mix-ins, such as pineapple, mandarin oranges, chopped walnuts, or pecans. These added ingredients can enhance the texture and flavor of the salad.

How should I serve the Cranberry Jello Salad?

The Cranberry Jello Salad can be served as a delightful holiday dessert or a festive side dish. It’s often presented in an attractive mold or dish and can be sliced or scooped onto plates for serving.

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