Cranberry Fluff-Tart cranberries, crushed pineapple, vanilla pudding, and marshmallows combine in one bowl for an easy, creamy holiday dessert with just 10 minutes of prep.
Cranberry Fluff is a creamy, no-bake holiday dessert salad made with whole-berry cranberry sauce, crushed pineapple, pudding, Cool Whip, and mini marshmallows. It's an easy make-ahead dish that's bright, sweet, perfectly tangy, and ideal for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or potlucks.
🔍 Quick Look: Cranberry Fluff Recipe
- Ready in: 2 Hours and 10 minutes
- Servings: 12
- Calories: ~181 kcal per serving
- Main Ingredients: Whole berry cranberry sauce, crushed pineapple, instant vanilla pudding, whipped topping, mini marshmallows, and chopped pecans.
- Flavor Profile: Sweet • Tart • Fruity • Creamy
- Mixing Techniques: Stirring • Folding
- Cook Method: No Cook - Chilled
- Difficulty: Easy, making it great for cooks of all levels.
- Why You'll Love It: Cranberry Fluff is a festive mix of cranberry, pineapple, pudding, and marshmallows with just 10 minutes of prep. It's creamy, fruity, perfectly sweet, and easy to make ahead for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or potlucks.
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Why You'll Love This Cranberry Fluff Recipe
- Sweet and Tart
- Light and Fluffy Texture
- Only 6 Ingredients
- Easy to Make Ahead
- Side Dish or Dessert - Serve cranberry fluff salad alongside your holiday meal or enjoy it as a light, creamy dessert.
- Perfect for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Potlucks
Ingredient Notes
Here's everything you'll need to make this Cranberry Fluff Salad. Please see the recipe card for the exact quantities.
- Crushed Pineapple with Juice - 1 20-ounce Can, Do Not Drain. Use "fruit in its own juice" for the best flavor. For a less sweet, thicker fluff, use 8 to 10 ounces of crushed pineapple.
- Instant Vanilla Pudding - Use one 3.4-ounce package of instant vanilla pudding. The dry pudding mix combines with the pineapple juice to thicken the fluff while adding vanilla flavor and sweetness. Be sure to use instant pudding, not cook-and-serve pudding.
- Whole Berry Cranberry Sauce - Use one 14-ounce can, or use my thick homemade cranberry sauce.
- Frozen Whipped Topping - The best choice is thawed, regular Cool Whip.
- Mini Marshmallows & Chopped Pecans - These provide both texture and flavor. The marshmallows are sweet airy puffs and the nuts are savory and crunchy.
How to Make this Cranberry Fluff Recipe
- Combine Base. In a large bowl, stir together the crushed pineapple and instant vanilla pudding until well combined.
- Add Cranberry. Stir in the cranberry sauce and mix well.
- Fold in Fluff. Fold in the whipped topping.
- Fold in Add-Ins. Add the mini marshmallows and chopped pecans, and gently fold them in.
- Chill. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours until well chilled. Serve & Enjoy!
My Top Tips
♡ Do not drain the crushed pineapple! This recipe needs both the fruit and the juice.
♡ Keep the fluff from deflating by folding in the whipped topping without stirring it in.
Make-Ahead & Storage
- Make-Ahead: You can make this Cranberry Fluff Salad early in the day and refrigerate it until it is time to serve. Alternatively, if you prefer to prepare it the day before, complete the recipe up to the point of folding in the mini marshmallows and chopped pecans, cover it, and refrigerate. One hour before serving, fold in the marshmallows and pecans. This keeps the marshmallows from becoming soggy and gives the dessert a fresh appearance.
- Storage: Leftovers will keep for up to 3 days in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
- Freezing: This dessert does not freeze well.
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📖 Recipe
Cranberry Fluff
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Ingredients
- 20 Ounces Crushed Pineapple with Juice, 1 Can, Do Not Drain
- 1 Package Instant Vanilla Pudding, 1 Small Package, 3.4 Ounces
- 14 Ounces Whole Berry Cranberry Sauce, 1 Can
- 8 Ounces Frozen Whipped Topping, Thawed
- 2 Cups Mini Marshmallows
- ½ Cup Chopped Pecans
Instructions
- Combine Base. In a large bowl, stir together the crushed pineapple and the instant vanilla pudding until they are well combined.20 Ounces Crushed Pineapple with Juice, 1 Package Instant Vanilla Pudding
- Add Cranberry. Stir in the cranberry sauce and mix well.14 Ounces Whole Berry Cranberry Sauce
- Fold in Fluff. Fold in the whipped topping.8 Ounces Frozen Whipped Topping
- Fold in Add-Ins. Add the mini marshmallows and chopped pecans, and gently fold them in.2 Cups Mini Marshmallows, ½ Cup Chopped Pecans
- Chill. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours until well chilled. Serve and Enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
Per 1 serving. All nutritional information on this site is an estimate. Your results may vary.
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Jan Nunes says
We love fluff desserts so much! They are super easy to make and always delicious!!