Cranberry Fluff

Every family seems to have their own version of Cranberry Fluff, and once you taste it, you’ll understand why this retro favorite has never gone out of style.

Close up of a fork ready to lift a bite of whipped cream coated bits of cranberries, pineapple and mini marshmallows on a small white plate.
Jennifer, author of Plowing Through Life, smiling in kitchen.

Why You’ll Love This Cranberry Fluff Salad Recipe

Ruby-red cranberries, golden pineapple, and clouds of mini marshmallows come together in this colorful salad that looks just as festive as it tastes.

Every family seems to have their own version of Cranberry Fluff, and that’s half the fun. Some serve it in a 9 x 13″ pan, while others pull out a pretty glass bowl. Those traditions usually come down to whatever dishes Grandma had in the cupboard!

The biggest debate, though, is the marshmallows. How many it takes to make the best Cranberry Marshmallow Fluff is a safe topic for the holiday table, and everyone has an opinion. I have a Facebook friend whose family uses a full one-pound bag. I think 10 ounces is plenty, because I like a cranberry-and-pineapple base that tastes a lot like our Cranberry Relish. More marshmallows means more fluff, so start with my amount and adjust to suit your family.


What I Love:

  • It’s beautiful on the table. Like an artist’s mosaic, this salad catches your eye and tempts you to peek at what’s inside. If you love a classic Old Fashioned Cranberry Salad, this version is even prettier.
  • It’s light and creamy. Whipped cream and marshmallows make this fluff salad softer and fluffier than anything else on the buffet.
  • There’s no Jello. This sweet salad sets up without gelatin, so it’s simple to stir together for Thanksgiving or Christmas.
  • It sparks conversation. Ask your guests how many marshmallows they’d use and watch the friendly debate begin!
Overhead view of bowl of Cranberry Pineapple Fluff on a red and white napkin on a wooden counter top.

Ingredients Needed

  • Whole Cranberries
  • Granulated Sugar
  • Crushed Pineapple
  • Heavy Cream – whipped for the best flavor, Cool Whip can be substituted to save time.
  • Mini Marshmallows
Ingredients to make cranberry fluff are whole cranberries, mini marshmallows, crushed pineapple, sugar and whipping cream on a wooden counter top.

How to Make Cranberry Marshmallow Salad

Use a food processor to coarsely chop, do not completely grind or liquify. A sharp knife can be used as well, it just takes a bit more time.

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Add chopped cranberries to a mixing bowl and stir the sugar in.

Drain pineapple well and then stir into cranberries.

Using a cold bowl beat whipping cream until a stiff peak forms.

Fold whipped cream and mini marshmallows into the cranberry mixture.

Spatula stiffing whipped cream and marshmallows into a sweet cranberry fluff recipe.

Spoon into a serving dish, cover tightly and refrigerate overnight. Serve chilled and enjoy!

Jennifer’s Recipe Tips and Tricks

  • Pick your serving dish. Some families serve Cranberry Fluff in a 9 x 13″ pan, while others use a decorative bowl.
  • Add marshmallows gradually. Start with half the marshmallows, stir, and give it a taste. Gently fold in more until you reach the balance your family enjoys.
  • Make it ahead or serve it right away. In our testing, the flavor was just as good freshly mixed as it was after a day or two in the refrigerator. That makes it an easy make-ahead side for busy holidays.
Side view of a big batch of cranberry marshmallow fluff salad in a white 9 x 13" dish on a red napkin.

More Classic Thanksgiving and Christmas recipes

Mini marshmallows in a bowl of fresh cranberry salad on a red and white napkin.

Cranberry Fluff

Created by Jennifer Osterholt
Servings: 16 servings
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
A family-favorite holiday side, this Cranberry Fluff blends fresh cranberries and pineapple with whipped cream and marshmallows.

Ingredients
  

  • 1 pound cranberries
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 20 ounce can pineapple drained
  • 10 ounces mini marshmallows
  • 2 cups whipping cream

Instructions

  • Coarsely chop cranberries, avoid over blending, pureeing or liquifying if using a food processor.
    1 pound cranberries
  • In a chilled bowl whip the whipping cream until a stiff peak forms.
  • Mix chopped cranberries and sugar.
    1 cup granulated sugar
  • Then stir in drained pineapple.
    20 ounce can pineapple
  • Fold in mini marshmallows and whipping cream and carefully incorporate until evenly combined.
    10 ounces mini marshmallows, 2 cups whipping cream

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Nutrition

Calories: 236kcalCarbohydrates: 36gProtein: 1gFat: 11gSaturated Fat: 7gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 34mgSodium: 23mgPotassium: 91mgFiber: 2gSugar: 28gVitamin A: 475IUVitamin C: 21mgCalcium: 27mgIron: 0.2mg

“Plowing Through Life” is not a dietitian or nutrition professional. Any nutritional information shared is an estimate and can vary greatly depending on specific products are used. If calorie count and other nutritional values are important to you, we recommend running the ingredients through an online nutritional calculator of your choice.

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