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Orange Fluff Salad

Orange Fluff Salad
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A classic no-cook dessert salad combining sweet orange gelatin with creamy cottage cheese, crushed pineapple, mandarin oranges, and mini marshmallows, all bound together with fluffy whipped topping. The result is a light, airy, and refreshingly sweet dish with a creamy texture and bright citrus flavor.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1/2 box (1.5 oz) orange gelatin dessert mix
  • 1/2 cup boiling water
  • 1/2 cup cold water
  • 1/2 cup small-curd cottage cheese (4% milkfat)
  • 1/2 cup canned crushed pineapple, drained (4 oz)
  • 1/2 cup canned mandarin orange segments, drained (about 5.5 oz before draining)
  • 1/2 cup frozen whipped topping (like Cool Whip), thawed but still cold
  • 1/2 cup mini marshmallows

Instructions

  1. In a medium bowl, dissolve the orange gelatin powder in 1/2 cup of boiling water. Stir continuously for about 2 minutes until the powder is completely dissolved and no granules remain. The liquid should be clear and bright orange.
  2. Add 1/2 cup of cold water to the dissolved gelatin and stir to combine. Place the bowl in the refrigerator and chill for 45 minutes to 1 hour, or until the gelatin is syrupy and just starting to thicken, similar to the consistency of raw egg whites. Do not let it set fully, or it will not incorporate evenly with the other ingredients.
  3. While the gelatin chills, drain the crushed pineapple and mandarin oranges thoroughly. Place them in a fine-mesh sieve and press gently with a spatula to remove excess juice. Pat the fruit dry with paper towels to prevent the salad from becoming watery.
  4. In a large mixing bowl, combine the syrupy gelatin, drained pineapple, drained mandarin oranges, 1/2 cup cottage cheese, and 1/2 cup mini marshmallows. Fold gently with a rubber spatula until evenly distributed, taking care not to break the orange segments.
  5. Add the thawed whipped topping to the bowl. Fold carefully using a figure-eight motion until no white streaks remain and the mixture is uniform in color. The texture should be fluffy and light.
  6. Transfer the mixture to a serving bowl or divide into individual dessert dishes. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or overnight, until the salad is fully set and firm. Serve chilled directly from the refrigerator.

Notes

Store covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Do not freeze, as the gelatin will break down and release water, ruining the texture. This salad is best served cold and does not require reheating. If preparing ahead, add the marshmallows just before serving to keep them from softening too much.

Nutrition

Keywords: orange fluff salad, orange gelatin salad, ambrosia salad, fluff salad recipe, no-bake dessert, potluck salad, cottage cheese salad, marshmallow salad, citrus dessert, easy cold dessert, refrigerator salad

Find it online: https://copycatkitchenco.com/orange-fluff-salad/