This Creamy Cranberry Salad, otherwise known as Cranberry Fluff, is a delicious combination of fresh cranberries, red grapes, pineapple, marshmallows, and pecans all tossed together in a creamy whipped topping.

bowl of Creamy Cranberry Salad for Thanksgiving side

Creamy Cranberry Salad is a classic southern side dish that always makes an appearance at our Thanksgiving dinner and Christmas dinner.

Of course in my family we call it Cranberry Fluff because it is a fluffy, creamy, dish made with fresh, tart, cranberries, sweet crushed pineapple and red grapes, crunchy pecans, soft marshmallows. Everything is tossed together in Cool Whip to create the perfect blend of sweet and tart.

Hosting a small gathering for the holidays this year? Check out our post on The Best Way to Cook Turkey Breast for Thanksgiving Dinner for 3 ways to make a juicy turkey!

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Creamy Cranberry Salad made with cool whip

How to Make Creamy Cranberry Salad:

  1. Pour the fresh cranberries into a food processor and pulse until they are chopped into small pieces.
  2. Scoop the chopped cranberries into a small container and sprinkle the sugar over them. Cover with plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator overnight, or at least 4 hours. 
  3. Make the creamy cranberry salad by placing the chopped and sugared cranberries, drained crushed pineapple, red grapes, chopped nuts, and marshmallows in a large bowl. 
  4. Add the Cool Whip and gently fold the mixture together until it well mixed. 
  5. Cover the bowl and place in the refrigerator until ready to serve.

Do I Have to Use Cool Whip for Cranberry Fluff?

My grandma was all about Cool Whip so I happen to like it but if you prefer to use something other than Cool Whip you can make your own stabilized whipped cream. This kind of homemade whipped cream is a little stiffer than the usual so it won’t deflate as it sits in the fridge.

bowl of Creamy Cranberry Salad made with marshmallows

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Servings: 12

Creamy Cranberry Salad

This Creamy Cranberry Salad, otherwise known as Cranberry Fluff, is a delicious combination of fresh cranberries, red grapes, pineapple, marshmallows, and pecans all tossed together in a creamy whipped topping.
bowl of Creamy Cranberry Salad for Thanksgiving side
Print Recipe
5 from 1 vote

Ingredients

  • 12 ounces Fresh cranberries
  • 3/4 cup Sugar
  • 8 ounces Crushed pineapple, drained
  • 1 cup Red seedless grapes, halved
  • 1 cup Pecans, chopped
  • 3 cups Marshmallows
  • 8 ounces Cool Whip

Instructions

  • Pour the fresh cranberries into a food processor and pulse until they are chopped into small pieces.
  • Scoop the chopped cranberries into a small container and sprinkle the sugar over them. Cover with plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator overnight, or at least 4 hours.
  • Make the creamy cranberry salad by placing the chopped and sugared cranberries, drained crushed pineapple, red grapes, chopped nuts, and marshmallows in a large bowl.
  • Add the Cool Whip and gently fold the mixture together until it well mixed.
  • Cover the bowl and place in the refrigerator until ready to serve.

Nutrition

Calories: 226kcal, Carbohydrates: 42g, Protein: 2g, Fat: 7g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 3mg, Sodium: 30mg, Potassium: 126mg, Fiber: 3g, Sugar: 32g, Vitamin A: 72IU, Vitamin C: 6mg, Calcium: 33mg, Iron: 1mg
Nutrition Disclaimer: We are not certified nutritionists. Nutrition facts are an estimate and are provided as a courtesy. They are generated by an online API which recognizes ingredient names and amounts and makes calculations based on the serving size. Results may vary.
Author: Kat Jeter & Melinda Caldwell