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This cranberry fluff salad is a decadent treat. This festive dish is full of flavor thanks to the zesty cranberries combined with the creamy Cool Whip and cream cheese mixture. Toss in other favorites like mandarin oranges, mini marshmallows, and pecans, and you have an irresistible salad that everyone will love. Perfect for Christmas dinner or to take with you to your next holiday party.  

Cranberry Fluff Salad

I love cranberries, especially this time of year! The tart berries pack so much flavor and transform any dish into a special festive treat. I love making cranberry mimosas and cranberry banana bread throughout December, but my favorite thing in the world is this cranberry fluff salad.

You will love it for so many reasons. Not only is it easy to make, but it elevates any holiday meal. It has so much flavor and is the perfect side dish to share with others. Once you make it, you will add it to your holiday recipe collection and make it year after year. 

Ingredients:

• 1 Tub Cool Whip (8 ounces – more for optional garnish)
• 4 Ounces Cream Cheese, room temp
• 1 Can Whole Berry Cranberry Sauce (15 ounces)
• 1 Can Mandarin Oranges, drained (15 ounces)
• 2 Cups Mini Marshmallows
• 1 Cup Chopped Pecans
• Fresh Cranberries (optional garnish)
• Fresh Rosemary Sprigs (optional garnish)

How to Make Cranberry Fluff Salad

• Place the drained can of mandarin oranges in a food processor and do a couple short, choppy bursts until it resembles crushed pineapple. Drain the excess juice after chopping and set aside.

• Place the can of whole cranberry sauce in a bowl and use a fork or other utensil to break it up so that it turns into a normal looking cranberry sauce, with no remaining big chunks.
• Place the cranberry sauce, cool whip, and cream cheese in a large mixing bowl and gently mix until well combined.

• Add the remaining ingredients and fold together until the ingredients are evenly distributed.

• Technically, you can eat this immediately, but the most preferred way (my favorite) is to refrigerate it for at least 8 hours (overnight) so that the flavors have a bit to sit and meld together. So, this step is optional, and based on your preferences. 
• When you’re ready to serve the salad, if desired, you can garnish it with a dollop of cool whip, fresh cranberries, and a sprig of rosemary. Enjoy!

Tips, Tricks and FAQs

• You want to make sure your cream cheese is at room temperature. If it is too cold, it will not stir well and become lumpy. 
• If you want a stronger cranberry flavor, you will want to add in more cranberry sauce or add some cranberry jello straight from the box. Do not prepare the jello. 
• You can make this with or without pecans. 
• Canned cranberry sauce is best. You can use homemade cranberry sauce just note that it is typically thinner and may make your salad more soupy than fluffy. 
• Using homemade whipped cream is a great option. Add a little bit of sugar while it is mixing to ensure it brings some sweetness to your cranberry fluff salad. 

Can You Freeze Cranberry Fluff Salad

Cranberry fluff salad is a cold and creamy dessert salad typically made with cranberries, whipped cream, marshmallows, and sometimes other fruits or nuts. Freezing may not be the best option for this type of salad because freezing can affect the texture of certain ingredients.

Here are a few reasons why freezing cranberry fluff salad may not be ideal:

1. Texture Changes: Freezing and thawing can cause the texture of the salad to change. The whipped cream may lose its fluffy texture, and the marshmallows could become mushy.
2. Fruits’ Texture: If your fluff salad contains fruits, they might become mushy when frozen and then thawed.
3. Separation of Ingredients: When frozen, the salad may separate, and upon thawing, the consistency might not be as desirable.

If you’re looking to make the cranberry fluff salad in advance, it’s often better to refrigerate it rather than freeze it. Most fluff salads can be stored in the refrigerator for a day or two without significant changes in texture. If you have specific concerns about ingredients, consider making the salad without those ingredients and adding them just before serving.

Always check the specific recipe you’re using for any instructions or recommendations regarding storage. If you’re unsure, you can also consider making a small batch to test how freezing affects the salad before freezing a larger portion.

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