Layered Cranberry Jello Salad

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Layered Cranberry Jello Salad is a sweet and tangy holiday side dish made with cherry Jello, whole cranberry sauce, Dr Pepper, and a fluffy cream cheese topping.

This easy cranberry salad is loaded with festive flavours and finished with crunchy pecans and chewy dried cranberries for the perfect combination of textures.

It's a colourful, make-ahead dish that's perfect for Thanksgiving dinner, Christmas gatherings, and holiday potlucks.

Whether you serve it as a side dish or a light dessert, this creamy cranberry Jello salad is sure to earn a spot on your holiday menu.

Why This Recipe is a Winner!

• Perfect for the Holidays: The festive red and white layers make this salad a beautiful addition to Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner tables.
• Sweet and Tangy: The combination of cranberry sauce, cherry Jello, and Dr Pepper creates a delicious balance of fruity sweetness and tart cranberry flavour.
• Make-Ahead Friendly: Prepare it ahead of time and let it chill in the refrigerator until you're ready to serve.
• A Retro Favourite: This old-fashioned Jello salad brings nostalgic holiday flavours to the table with a fun twist.
• Great for Potlucks: Made in an 8x8 baking dish and serving nine, it's easy to transport and share at holiday gatherings.
• No Oven Required: This easy holiday recipe comes together on the stovetop and sets in the refrigerator, leaving your oven free for other dishes.
• Side Dish or Dessert: Sweet enough to serve as a dessert but right at home alongside turkey, ham, and all your favourite holiday sides.

Ingredients You'll Need

• 1 (14 oz) can whole cranberry sauce: Provides a sweet and tart cranberry flavour and adds texture to the Jello layer. Whole berry cranberry sauce works best for this recipe.
• 2 (3 oz) packages cherry Jello: Creates the fruity gelatin base and gives the salad its vibrant red colour. The cherry flavour pairs perfectly with the tart cranberries.
• 1 cup Dr Pepper: Adds sweetness and a subtle blend of fruity, spiced flavours to the cranberry Jello mixture.
• 8 oz cream cheese, softened: Creates a rich, smooth, and creamy topping that balances the sweetness of the cranberry layer. Make sure the cream cheese is softened to room temperature for easy mixing.
• ⅓ cup powdered sugar: Sweetens the cream cheese topping without adding a grainy texture.
• 2 cups Cool Whip: Gives the cream cheese layer a light, fluffy texture. Thaw the Cool Whip in the refrigerator before using.
• ⅓ cup pecan halves: Adds a delicious nutty flavour and satisfying crunch to the top of the salad.
• ⅓ cup Craisins dried cranberries: Adds extra cranberry flavour, a chewy texture, and a festive finishing touch.

Printable Recipe Card with a Full List of Ingredients and Instructions is Located at the Bottom of the Post.

Be sure to read through the entire post so that you don't miss out on any important tips and tricks!

Step By Step Instructions

 STEP 1: 

I poured a can of whole cranberry sauce into a saucepan over medium heat and stirred it around.

 STEP 2: 

I added cherry jello mix to pot with the cranberry sauce and stirred well.

 STEP 3: 

I continued heating the mixture, stirring frequently, just until it started to simmer.

 STEP 4: 

As soon as it started to simmer, I removed the pot from the heat and stirred in Dr Pepper.

 STEP 5: 

I sprayed an 8x8 glass baking dish well with cooking spray and then poured in the cranberry jello mixture.

I placed the baking dish in the refrigerator until the jello was set.

 STEP 6: 

Once the jello layer was set, I dropped a brick of softened cream cheese into a glass mixing bowl.

I added powdered sugar to the bowl and used an electric mixer to cream them together until smooth.

 STEP 7: 

I added Cool Whip to the bowl and used a rubber spatula to fold it into the cream cheese mixture.

 STEP 8: 

I spread the cream cheese mixture evenly over the jello layer in the baking dish.

 STEP 9: 

I sprinkled pecan halves and dried cranberries on top and then returned the dish to the refrigerator to chill the frosting layer.

Every spoonful of this Layered Cranberry Jello Salad delivers a delicious combination of sweet and tangy cranberry cherry Jello, fluffy cream cheese topping, crunchy pecans, and chewy dried cranberries.

The cool, creamy topping perfectly balances the fruity gelatin layer, making this festive dish a refreshing addition to any holiday feast.

If you are looking for a unique holiday side dish recipe, then you need to try this Layered Cranberry Jello Salad!

• Use Whole Berry Cranberry Sauce: Whole cranberry sauce adds little bursts of tart cranberry flavour and gives the Jello layer a more interesting texture than jellied cranberry sauce.
• Don't Boil the Jello Mixture: Heat the cranberry sauce and Jello powder just until the mixture begins to simmer, stirring frequently to dissolve the gelatin without scorching the mixture.
• Let the Jello Set Completely: Refrigerate the cranberry layer for at least 2 hours, or until firm, before adding the cream cheese topping to keep the layers separate.
• Soften the Cream Cheese: Allow the cream cheese to come to room temperature before mixing to prevent lumps and create a smooth, creamy topping.
• Thaw the Cool Whip: Make sure your Cool Whip is fully thawed in the refrigerator so it folds easily into the cream cheese mixture.
• Fold Gently: Use a rubber spatula to gently fold the Cool Whip into the cream cheese mixture to keep the topping light and fluffy.
• Spread the Topping Carefully: Drop spoonfuls of the cream cheese mixture over the set Jello, then gently spread it into an even layer without disturbing the gelatin underneath.
• Chill Before Serving: Refrigerate the assembled salad for at least an hour to allow the creamy topping to firm up and make serving easier.
• Add the Toppings Just Before Serving: For the best crunch, sprinkle the pecans over the salad shortly before serving rather than letting them sit in the refrigerator overnight.
• Make It Ahead: Prepare this cranberry Jello salad the day before your holiday gathering and keep it covered in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
• Use a Sharp Knife for Clean Slices: For neat, defined layers, cut the chilled salad with a sharp knife, wiping the blade between cuts.
• Keep It Cold: Store the salad in the refrigerator until serving time and return any leftovers to the fridge promptly to keep the cream cheese topping fresh.

Substitutions and Variations

• Try Raspberry Jello: Swap the cherry Jello for raspberry Jello for a slightly different fruity flavour that pairs beautifully with the tart cranberries.
• Use Cranberry Jello: If you can find cranberry-flavoured Jello, use it for an extra boost of cranberry flavour.
• Swap the Dr Pepper: Replace the Dr Pepper with Coca-Cola, cherry cola, or lemon-lime soda for a different flavour twist.
• Make It Without Soda: Substitute the Dr Pepper with cranberry juice or cherry juice for a more pronounced fruity flavour.
• Try Orange Cranberry Jello Salad: Add a little orange zest to the cranberry mixture for a bright citrus flavour that complements the cranberries.
• Use Walnuts Instead of Pecans: Chopped walnuts are a delicious alternative to pecans and add a similar crunchy texture.
• Make It Nut-Free: Leave out the pecans entirely for a nut-free version, or replace them with toasted coconut for extra texture.
• Add Mandarin Oranges: Fold well-drained mandarin orange segments into the cranberry mixture before chilling for a fruity variation.
• Try Crushed Pineapple: Add a small amount of well-drained canned crushed pineapple to the cranberry layer for extra sweetness and texture.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make Layered Cranberry Jello Salad ahead of time?

• Yes! This cranberry Jello salad is a great make-ahead holiday recipe. You can prepare it up to 24 hours in advance and keep it covered in the refrigerator until ready to serve. For the best texture, add the pecans just before serving so they stay crunchy.

How long does cranberry Jello salad take to set?

• The cranberry Jello layer needs at least 2 hours in the refrigerator to set before adding the cream cheese topping. Once the topping is added, refrigerate the salad for another hour before serving. Plan for at least 3 hours of total chilling time.

Is Layered Cranberry Jello Salad a side dish or dessert?

• It can be served as either! This sweet and tangy cranberry salad is a popular holiday side dish for Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners, but the creamy topping and fruity gelatin also make it a delicious chilled dessert.

How should I store leftover cranberry Jello salad?

• Store leftovers in an airtight container or cover the baking dish tightly with plastic wrap. Keep refrigerated for up to 3 days. The pecans may soften over time, and the gelatin may release a little liquid.

Can I freeze cranberry Jello salad?

• Freezing is not recommended. Gelatin can lose its firm texture and become watery after thawing, while the cream cheese and Cool Whip topping may separate.

Layered Cranberry Jello Salad

Yield: Serves 9

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Chill Time: 3 hours

Total Time: 3 hours 20 minutes

Layered Cranberry Jello Salad is an easy holiday side dish made with cherry Jello, cranberry sauce, Dr Pepper, and a fluffy cream cheese and Cool Whip topping.

Finished with crunchy pecans and dried cranberries, this sweet and tangy make-ahead salad is perfect for Thanksgiving and Christmas.

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Ingredients

• 1 (14 ounce) can whole cranberry sauce
• 2 (3 ounce) packages cherry jello
• 1 cup Dr Pepper
• 8 ounce cream cheese, softened
• ⅓ cup powdered sugar
• 2 cups Cool whip
• ⅓ cup pecan halves
• ⅓ cup craisins dried cranberries

Instructions

1. Pour the cranberry sauce into a saucepan over medium heat and stir.
2. Add the jello powder and stir until well combined with the cranberry sauce.
3. Continue heating, stirring frequently, just until the mixture starts to simmer.
4. Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the Dr Pepper.
5. Spray an 8x8 baking dish well with cooking spray.
6. Pour the cranberry mixture into the baking dish.
7. Place the dish in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours to allow the jello to set.
8. Pour the softened cream cheese and powdered sugar into a mixing bowl and use an electric mixer to cream them together until smooth.
9. Add the Cool Whip to the bowl and use a rubber spatula to fold it into the cream cheese mixture.
10. Spread the mixture evenly over the cranberry jello layer in the baking dish.
11. Sprinkle the pecans and craisins on top.
12. Return to the refrigerator for about an hour to chill the topping.
13. Serve and enjoy!

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 9 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 254Total Fat: 15gSaturated Fat: 6gUnsaturated Fat: 10gCholesterol: 25mgSodium: 82mgCarbohydrates: 29gFiber: 2gSugar: 24gProtein: 3g

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