Bright, bubbly potlucks of the 1960s and ’70s wouldn’t have been complete without a jewel-toned Jell-O salad. Pink Cherry Jell-O Fluff keeps that tradition alive—pairing tangy cherry gelatin with crushed pineapple, sweetened condensed milk, and a cloud of whipped topping. Stir in mini marshmallows (and a sprinkle of coconut if you fancy), then let the fridge handle the rest.
Perfect for family dinners, baby showers, holidays, or whenever nostalgia calls, this five-minute mix-and-chill recipe is effortless yet totally crowd-pleasing.
🛒 Ingredients
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Cherry Jell-O (3 oz / 85 g) | 1 package |
| Boiling water | 1 cup (240 ml) |
| Cold water | 1 cup (240 ml) |
| Crushed pineapple, undrained | 1 can (20 oz / 565 g) |
| Sweetened condensed milk | 1 can (14 oz / 397 g) |
| Whipped topping (e.g., Cool Whip), thawed | 1 container (8 oz / 225 g) |
| Mini marshmallows | 1 cup (about 50 g) |
| Shredded coconut (optional) | 1 cup |
| Chopped maraschino cherries, drained (optional) | ½ cup |
👩🏻🍳 Instructions
-
Dissolve the Gelatin
In a large mixing bowl, whisk cherry Jell-O with 1 cup boiling water until fully dissolved (≈ 2 min). -
Add Cold Water & Chill Briefly
Stir in 1 cup cold water. Refrigerate 15–20 min—just until the liquid is cool but still pourable. (This quick chill prevents the dairy from curdling.) -
Stir in the Creamy Goodness
Add undrained crushed pineapple and sweetened condensed milk. Whisk until combined. -
Fold in Fluff
Gently fold in the thawed whipped topping until the mixture turns pale pink and creamy. -
Add the Fun Bits
Fold in mini marshmallows plus coconut and maraschino cherries if using. -
Set & Serve
Pour into a 2-quart dish or individual cups. Cover and refrigerate at least 4 hours (overnight is ideal) until fully set and fluffy. Serve chilled.
💡 Tips & Variations
| Make It Yours | How |
|---|---|
| Tropical Twist | Swap cherry Jell-O for strawberry-banana; add diced mango. |
| Lighter Option | Use sugar-free gelatin & lite whipped topping. |
| Extra Crunch | Stir in ½ cup chopped pecans or walnuts before chilling. |
| Party Parfaits | Layer fluff with crushed vanilla wafers in glasses for a trifle vibe. |
| Color Swap | Try lime Jell-O + mandarin oranges for classic green fluff. |
Pro Tip: Partially chilling the gelatin before adding the dairy helps the fluff maintain a smooth, mousse-like texture.
🧊 Storage
-
Fridge: Keep covered for up to 4 days.
-
Freezing: Not recommended—the texture turns icy and grainy.
⚖️ Approximate Nutrition (1/10 of recipe)
| Calories | 260 |
| Protein | 4 g |
| Carbs | 39 g |
| Fat | 11 g |
| Fiber | 1 g |
(Varies with optional add-ins and brand choices.)
🎉 Why We Love This Retro Dessert
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Five-minute prep – Let the refrigerator do the heavy lifting.
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Vibrant color – A show-stopping pink on any dessert table.
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Kid-approved – Sweet, fruity, and marshmallow-packed fun.
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Make-ahead friendly – Ideal for busy hosts (and it tastes better the next day!).