Description
Midwestern comfort shines through in this classic green jello salad, blending nostalgic flavors with creamy textures. Generations of family gatherings celebrate this sweet, playful dish that brings smiles and memories to your table.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 box (170 g / 6 oz) lime Jell-O gelatin
- 1 cup (240 ml) boiling water
- 1 cup (240 ml) cold water
- 1 can (226 g / 8 oz) crushed pineapple, undrained
- 1 package (226 g / 8 oz) cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup (240 ml) whipped topping
- ½ cup (60 g) chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)
- ½ cup (50 g) mini marshmallows (optional)
- Extra whipped topping for garnish (optional)
- Maraschino cherries for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Dissolve Preparation: Combine lime Jell-O with boiling water in a spacious mixing vessel, stirring until completely integrated, ensuring no granules remain.
- Liquid Fusion: Incorporate cold water and crushed pineapple with its natural juice, blending thoroughly to create a uniform mixture.
- Creamy Integration: Whip softened cream cheese until silky smooth, then seamlessly incorporate into the Jell-O base using a hand mixer to achieve a consistent, velvety texture.
- Initial Chilling: Refrigerate the concoction for 30-45 minutes, allowing it to slightly firm but not completely solidify, creating an ideal consistency for further additions.
- Final Assembly: Gently fold whipped topping into the slightly thickened mixture, optionally introducing chopped nuts or marshmallows for added complexity and textural interest.
- Molding and Setting: Transfer the mixture to a serving dish or decorative mold, then return to the refrigerator for a minimum of 4 hours to achieve complete gelatin transformation.
- Garnish and Serve: Just before presentation, embellish with an extra layer of whipped topping and scatter maraschino cherries for a festive and visually appealing finish.
Notes
- Carefully monitor chilling time to achieve the perfect semi-set texture before adding whipped topping, preventing a runny or overly firm result.
- Soften cream cheese completely and beat thoroughly to ensure a smooth, lump-free mixture that blends seamlessly with the Jell-O.
- Swap regular Jell-O with sugar-free versions for low-sugar diets, or use dairy-free cream cheese and whipped topping for lactose-intolerant guests.
- Experiment with different Jell-O flavors like strawberry or orange, or add fresh fruits like mandarin oranges for a unique twist on the classic recipe.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 hours
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Blending
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 9
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 18 g
- Sodium: 100 mg
- Fat: 5 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1.5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 23 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 10 mg