• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • RECIPES
  • ABOUT
    • CONTACT
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube

Aimee Mars logo

menu icon
go to homepage
search icon
Homepage link
  • Home
  • Recipes
  • About
  • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • ×

    Home » Blog » Side Dish » Cranberry Fluff Salad

    Cranberry Fluff Salad

    Published: Sep 13, 2022 by Aimee Mars · This post may contain affiliate links.

    Sharing is caring!

    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Email
    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    Cranberry fluff salad in a silver bowl with fresh cranberries on top.

    This fluff and delightful side salad is a sweet treat that pairs perfectly with hearty meals, especially holiday meals. Cranberry Fluff Salad is light and airy and served chilled. Made with fresh or frozen cranberry, and crushed pineapple, and held together in fluffy cream cheese and whipped cream mixture.

    Fluff salads are my favorite to serve alongside big meals during the holidays. I especially love this Mandarin Orange Jello Salad for Thanksgiving and the Strawberry Jello Fluff or Pistachio Pudding Salad for Christmas.

    Cranberry fluff salad in a silver serving bowl topped with fresh cranberries.

    Why This Recipe Works

    Fluff salads are light and airy with a sweet flavor but go great with big meals, particularly holiday meals such as Thanksgiving and Christmas.

    This easy cranberry fluff also works as a replacement for cranberry sauce. It’s filled with fresh cranberries and just as sweet so no one will miss the traditional dish.

    This simple side salad can be whipped up in minutes and is best made a day in advance of when you plan on serving it. Serve it chilled to accompany a hearty meal or for a crowd.

    Takes only minutes to make, but needs to be chilled to set, which makes it great for making the day before and also why its referred to as cranberry whipped cream salad.

    Ingredients Needed

    Cranberry fluff salad ingredients in various bowls.

    Ingredient Notes

    • Cranberries: for this recipe, you can use fresh or frozen cranberries and if you’re in a pinch you can also use whole berry cranberry sauce.
    • Crushed Pineapple: the crushed pineapple brings a tangy flavor that compliments the sweet cranberry taste.
    • Cream Cheese: there aren’t many ingredients in this recipe, which is why I recommend getting the full-fat version of cream cheese. It makes for a creamier salad.
    • Heavy Whipping Cream: adding heavy cream to the cream cheese creates a thick and creamy whipped fluff that holds the salad together.

    Ingredient Swaps

    • Cottage Cheese: Instead of using crushed pineapple you can swap it for cottage cheese, which will add a crumbly texture to the salad, but present a more pure cranberry flavor without any tanginess.
    • Cool Whip: You can use Cool Whip instead of beating in the heavy whipping cream to the cream cheese mixture.

    How to Make Easy Cranberry Fluff

    This is a very easy chilled salad to prepare, but it does need time to set up. It’s a great idea to make it the night before you plan on serving it.

    Cranberry fluff salad process steps 1 and 2.
    1. Chop the cranberries: Place the cranberries into a food process (if using frozen cranberries, allow them to thaw slightly) and pulse them until they chopped into small pieces, but not pureed. You want a very grainy texture.
    2. Drain the juices: Set a large mesh sieve over a large bowl and add the chopped cranberries to the sieve as well as the crushed pineapple. Allow the juice to drain for about 15 minutes then discard the excess juice.
    Cranberry fluff recipe process steps 3 and 4.
    1. Beat the cream cheese: In a medium bowl beat the cream cheese and sugar until smooth.
    2. Add in the heavy cream: Pour the heavy cream into the cream cheese mixture and beat until stiff peaks form.
    Cranberry fluff salad process steps 5 and 6.
    1. Fold the whipped cream into the cranberry mixture: Gently fold into the cranberry mixture.
    2. Add the marshmallows: Add the marshmallows to the salad and fold them in. Cover and place in the fridge to chill for 3 hours or up to overnight.

    Storage Information

    This salad is best made in advance and it’s also great for leftovers, however, it doesn’t work well to freeze it.

    • Leftovers: Place any leftovers in an air-tight container and store in the fridge for up to 5 days. Before serving it again give the salad a good stir.
    Cranberry fluff recipe in a bowl topped with fresh cranberries and orange peel.

    Recipe Notes and Tips

    • Can’t find cranberries? You can use fresh or frozen cranberries but if you can’t find either you can also use whole berry cranberry sauce too.
    • To get the fluffiest salad use a spatula to fold all the ingredients together. This keeps the Cool Whip from falling flat when you mix it.
    • Just before you plan on serving this cranberry fluff salad, give it a good stir to toss the ingredients together. Some liquid at the bottom after it firms is okay (this happens when the fresh strawberries are mixed in). Just stir it back together.
    • Don’t make this recipe too far in advance though. The day before you plan on serving it is best.
    • Try adding some shredded coconut for added sweetness.

    FAQs

    Can I use Cool Whip instead of heavy whipping cream?

    If you’d like to cut down on the recipe prep time I suggest using Cool Whip, which you can fold directly into the cream cheese mixture once you’re finished beating it.

    Can this salad be made in advance?

    Yes, and in fact, I recommend preparing a day ahead of time. You’ll want to chill it so the ingredients for 4 hours to firm up after you make it.

    Related Recipes

    • Mandarin Orange Jello Salad (without Cottage Cheese)
    • Strawberry Jello Fluff Salad
    • Pineapple Fluff
    • Pistachio Pudding Salad (Original Watergate Salad)
    Cranberry fluff salad topped with fresh cranberries and orange peel.

    Cranberry Fluff Salad

    This fluff and delightful side salad is a sweet treat that pairs perfectly with hearty meals, especially holiday meals. Cranberry Fluff Salad is light and airy and served chilled. Made with fresh or frozen cranberry, and crushed pineapple, and held together in fluffy cream cheese and whipped cream mixture.
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Salad, Side Dish
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 35 minutes
    Chill Time: 3 hours
    Total Time: 3 hours 35 minutes
    Servings: 10 Servings
    Calories: 289kcal
    Author: Aimee Mars

    Ingredients

    • 12 ounces Fresh Cranberries frozen will also work
    • 8 ounces Crushed Pineapple
    • 4 ounces Cream Cheese
    • ¾ cup Sugar
    • 2 cups Heavy Cream

    Instructions

    • Place the cranberries into a food process (if using frozen cranberries, allow them to thaw slightly) and pulse them until they chopped into small pieces, but not pureed. You want a very grainy texture.
    • Set a large mesh sieve over a large bowl and add the chopped cranberries to the sieve as well as the crushed pineapple. Allow the juice to drain for about 15 minutes then discard the excess juice.
    • In a medium bowl beat the cream cheese and sugar until smooth.
    • Pour the heavy cream into the cream cheese mixture and beat until stiff peaks form. Gently fold into the cranberry mixture.
    • Add the marshmallows to the salad and fold them in.
    • Cover and place in the fridge to chill for 3 hours or up to overnight.

    Notes

    • Can’t find cranberries? You can use fresh or frozen cranberries but if you can’t find either you can also use whole berry cranberry sauce too.
    • To get the fluffiest salad use a spatula to fold all the ingredients together. This keeps the Cool Whip from falling flat when you mix it.
    • Just before you plan on serving this cranberry fluff salad, give it a good stir to toss the ingredients together. Some liquid at the bottom after it firms is okay (this happens when the fresh strawberries are mixed in). Just stir it back together.
    • Don’t make this recipe too far in advance though. The day before you plan on serving it is best.
    • Try adding some shredded coconut for added sweetness.
     

    Storage Information

    This salad is best made in advance and it’s also great for leftovers, however, it doesn’t work well to freeze it.
    • Leftovers: Place any leftovers in an air-tight container and store them in the fridge for up to 5 days. Before serving it again give the salad a good stir.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1serving | Calories: 289kcal | Carbohydrates: 25g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 21g | Saturated Fat: 13g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 65mg | Sodium: 50mg | Potassium: 116mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 21g | Vitamin A: 884IU | Vitamin C: 7mg | Calcium: 49mg | Iron: 0.2mg
    Tried this Recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @AimeeMarsLiving or tag #AimeeMarsLiving!

    More Side Dish Recipes

    • Burrata Caprese
    • Broccoli Cauliflower Salad
    • Indian Fry Bread
    • Zucchini Casserole

    Sharing is caring!

    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Email

    About Aimee Mars

    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Aimee Mars Bio Image

    In sharing my recipes filled with delicious and wholesome ingredients, I hope to connect with you. Let’s create some decadent meals to share with the ones we love. For more about my story and how this site got started visit the about page.

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube

    Christmas Recipes

    Homemade grenadine syrup pouring from a bottle.

    Homemade Grenadine Syrup

    Raspberry simple syrup on a spoon.

    Quick Raspberry Simple Syrup

    Toasted almond drink in a martini glass with a gold rim.

    Toasted Almond Drink Recipe

    Sliced ham loaf topped with fresh cilantro on a white platter.

    Ham Loaf

    Possum Pie

    Peanut clusters on a round wire baking rack.

    Peanut Clusters

    Aimee Mars featured in side bar image with logos.

    GET THE LATEST RECIPES AND VIDEO RIGHT IN YOUR INBOX

    Load up on recipes, meal plans, and prep tips + a FREE "Dinner Made Easy" eCookbook

    Top Posts

    Footer

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • LinkedIn
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
    • CONTACT ME
    • PRIVACY POLICY
    • FIND RECIPES

    Copyright © 2023 Aimee Mars on the Seasoned Pro Theme