Hey friends!
Guess what? The holiday season is here, and I have a festive treat for you!
Today, I’m diving into my favorite Christmas cranberry salad.
It’s bright, it’s colorful, and it adds a splash of cheer to any table.
Plus, it’s super easy to whip up!
Get ready to impress your family and friends with this delicious side dish!
Ingredient Substitutions
For cranberries, frozen can be used instead of fresh with similar results. If cranberries are unavailable, chopped tart cherries or pomegranate arils can provide a similar tangy flavor and festive color. Adjust sugar to taste.
White sugar can be replaced with coconut sugar or a stevia blend for a lower glycemic option. Start with less and adjust to desired sweetness, as alternative sweeteners may have different intensities.
Whipped topping can be substituted with homemade whipped cream or a dairy-free alternative like coconut whipped cream. For homemade, whip 1 cup heavy cream with 2 tablespoons powdered sugar until stiff peaks form. This allows for control over ingredients and accommodates dairy-free diets. Adjust sweetness as needed.
| Preparation Time | 15-20 minutes |
| Cooking Time | 0 minutes |
| Total Time | 180-200 minutes |
| Level of Difficulty | Easy |
Estimated Nutrition
Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):
- Calories: 1400-1600
- Protein: 10-15 g
- Fat: 50-60 g
- Carbohydrates: 220-240 g
Ingredients
- 12 ounces cranberries, fresh
- 2/3 cup white sugar
- 1 cup apple, diced (granny smith recommended)
- 1 cup pineapple, diced (use fresh or canned)
- 1 cup mini marshmallows
- 1/2 cup pecans, chopped
- 1/4 cup coconut, shredded
- 8 ounces whipped topping, thawed from frozen
- Extra cranberries, apples, and marshmallows for decoration (optional)
Step 1: Prep the Cranberries
Begin by placing the cranberries into the bowl of a food processor.
Pulse the cranberries until they are coarsely chopped, ensuring you don’t over-process them into a paste.
Step 2: Combine Cranberries and Sugar
Transfer the coarsely chopped cranberries to a glass or plastic bowl (avoid using metal as it can react with the cranberries).
Add sugar to the bowl and stir until the cranberries and sugar are well combined.
Step 3: Chill the Cranberry Mixture
Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a lid and place it in the refrigerator.
Allow it to chill for at least 3 hours.
This will help the cranberries to absorb some of the sugar and become more flavorful.
Step 4: Add Fruits and Mix-Ins
Once the cranberry mixture has chilled, take it out of the refrigerator.
Add chopped apple, pineapple chunks, marshmallows, pecans, and coconut to the bowl.
Gently fold these ingredients into the cranberry mixture until everything is evenly distributed.
Step 5: Finish and Serve
Add the whipped topping to the bowl and fold gently to combine all the ingredients, taking care to maintain the light and fluffy texture of the whipped topping.
If desired, garnish with additional cranberries, apple slices, and marshmallows.
Serve the cranberry salad chilled as a refreshing side dish or dessert.
