Description
Classic Mormon potluck dessert Frog Eye Salad combines sweet acini de pepe pasta with creamy pineapple and marshmallow blend. Midwestern church gatherings cherish this nostalgic sweet side dish that delights guests with its unique texture and tropical flavor profile.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 (16 oz/453 g) acini di pepe pasta
- 1 ¾ cups (414 ml) unsweetened pineapple juice
- 2 (20 oz/1.14 kg) cans pineapple tidbits, drained
- 1 (20 oz/567 g) can crushed pineapple, drained
- 3 (11 oz/312 g) cans mandarin oranges, drained
- 1 cup (200 g) white sugar
- 2 eggs, beaten
- 1 (8 oz/227 g) container frozen whipped topping, thawed
- 1 cup (50 g) miniature marshmallows
- 1 cup (80 g) shredded coconut
- 2 tbsps (16 g) all-purpose flour
- 1 tbsp (15 ml) vegetable oil
- 1 tbsp (15 ml) lemon juice
- 2 ½ tsps salt
Instructions
- Custard Preparation: In a medium saucepan, whisk pineapple juice, sugar, eggs, flour, and salt. Cook over medium heat, stirring continuously until the mixture transforms into a thick, pudding-like consistency. Remove from heat, stir in lemon juice, and allow to cool completely at room temperature.
- Pasta Cooking: Boil water with vegetable oil and salt. Add acini di pepe pasta, cooking until al dente. Drain thoroughly, rinse with cold water, and shake off excess moisture to preserve the salad’s creamy texture.
- Ingredient Fusion: Blend cooled pasta with prepared custard in a large mixing bowl. Gently incorporate mandarin oranges, pineapple tidbits, crushed pineapple, and whipped topping, ensuring even distribution of ingredients.
- Chilling and Finalizing: Cover and refrigerate the mixture for at least 8 hours to allow flavors to meld. Before serving, fold in miniature marshmallows and shredded coconut, creating a harmonious tropical-inspired dessert salad.
Notes
- Prevent Lumpy Custard: Whisk ingredients constantly while heating to avoid egg scrambling and ensure a smooth, creamy base.
- Master Pasta Texture: Cook acini di pepe precisely 5-7 minutes to achieve perfect al dente consistency without becoming mushy.
- Chill for Maximum Flavor: Refrigerate salad at least 8 hours, allowing ingredients to merge and develop a rich, harmonious taste profile.
- Gentle Folding Technique: Use soft, careful mixing motions when adding marshmallows and coconut to maintain the delicate salad structure and prevent ingredient compression.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 11
- Calories: 305
- Sugar: 40 g
- Sodium: 220 mg
- Fat: 5 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 58 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 31 mg