Orange Fluff Jello Salad

Orange Fluff Jello Salad is a fun and fruity dish everyone will love. Orange Jello is combined with pineapple chunks, mandarin oranges, cottage cheese, and fluffy whipped cream. It is the perfect jello salad to serve for dinner or bring to your next potluck.

orange fluff jello salad on top of lettuce on a platter.


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What is Orange Fluff?

Orange Fluff is a retro Jello salad served as either a side dish or dessert. Itā€™s made with mandarin oranges, crushed pineapple, orange Jello gelatin, cottage cheese, and whipped cream.

Itā€™s a popular dish, especially for Easter and in spring. Itā€™s fluffy, fruity, and pairs beautifully with an Easter ham and smoked meats.

Why This is the Best Recipe for Orange Fluff

One of the best things about this recipe is that it forms the perfect consistency where you can put it in a mold and it will hold its shape. You can dress it up or dress it down and just put it in a bowl and pop it in the fridge.

Why is this Orange Fluff Jello recipe different?

For this orange creamsicle fluff salad, you do not use Cool Whip as the base. Instead, this orange jello fluff uses heavy whipping cream which is what will help this orange fluff set up perfectly.

Plus whipped cream stabilizes the fluff enough to be able to use a gelatin mold to create a fun shape and can make it a signature piece at any party.

Recipe Ingredients

This recipe is super simple with only a few ingredients. Take a look to make sure you have everything you need to make an orange fluff jello salad.

  • Small curd cottage cheese
  • Orange Jello
  • Heavy cream
  • Mandarin oranges
  • Crushed pineapple
orange fluff jello salad ingredients on a tray.

Ingredient Notes

Since inventory has been low in the grocery stores, you might have a hard time finding some of the ingredients.

If you are able to score a can of pineapple but not crushed pineapple, just throw it in the food processor and pulse it to chop it up. Strain the pineapple to eliminate the extra juices.

You can use fresh mandarin oranges. Peel them thoroughly to remove all the pith. Also, remove any seeds. Put the orange segments in a food processor to blend them up slightly. Note this will make the mandarin oranges softer like they normally are in the can.

How To Make Orange Fluff Salad

  1. Start by combining the cottage cheese and orange Jello in a large bowl.
orange jello and cottage cheese mixture in a bowl.
  1. Add in the drained cans of mandarin oranges and crushed pineapple and mix it all together.
  2. In a separate bowl, beat the heavy cream until it forms stiff peaks.
whipped cream with stiff peaks in a bowl.
  1. Carefully fold the whipped cream into the cottage cheese mixture until it is completely combined.
  2. Transfer the orange fluff mixture into either a clean bowl or a jello mold and put it in the fridge for at least 6 hours. Overnight is preferred for it to set up properly.
  3. When you are ready to take the fluff out of the mold, place either the bowl or mold in a hot water bath for about 10 seconds. Place a serving plate over top and flip the orange fluff salad onto it and remove the mold.
orange fluff jello salad on a lettuce-lined platter.

Recipe Variations

If you want to make this orange fluff without cottage cheese, try replacing it to make:

  • Orange Fluff with Sour Cream
  • Orange Fluff with Cream Cheese
  • Orange Fluff with Greek Yogurt (plain)

It will not be exactly the same with these substitutions, but they can work.

Here are some tasty add-ins for extra flavor and texture:

  • Mini marshmallows for an extra sweet touch and fluffy texture.
  • Chopped maraschino cherries for an added flavor profile and even a fun pop of color.
  • Chopped nuts for a little crunch and nutty flavor. Pecans or walnuts pair nicely with orange and pineapple.

Can You Make Orange Jello Fluff Ahead of Time?

Yes, in fact, you should! This recipe needs at least 6 hours to set up but turns out best with 10 to 12 hours of chilling in the fridge.

How to Serve Orange Fluff Salad

For this recipe, you can do a couple of things. If you prepared it and chilled it in a bowl, you can always leave it in there and just add a spoon to serve it.

Or you can flip the orange fluff onto a serving plate from either the bowl or Jello mold and serve it. Line the serving plate with lettuce leaves for a special decorative effect.

Garnish the salad with maraschino cherries for a nice pop of color.

What Goes Well With This Dish

Wondering what do you eat with orange fluff? Itā€™s is a light and refreshing side dish and goes wonderfully with ham, brisket, corned beef, and smoked chicken.

Itā€™s also a great dessert served with fruit and whipped cream.

How to Store Orange Jello Fluff

To store this delicious orange jello fluff, cover it with plastic wrap and put it in the fridge. This dish must be kept refrigerated.

How Long Does Orange Fluff Salad Last?

Since this recipe does have some unstable ingredients like pineapple, mandarin orange, and heavy cream, this orange fluff will be best if eaten within 2 to 3 days.

overhead view of orange fluff jello salad on a platter.

Favorite Jello Recipes

Favorite Sweet Side Dish Recipes

Check out more of my easy side dish recipes and the best salad recipes here on CopyKat!

orange fluff jello salad on top of lettuce on a platter.

Orange Fluff Salad

ThisĀ Orange Fluff Jello Salad is the perfect combination of orange gelatin, cottage cheese, crushed pineapple, and whipped cream.
5 from 1 vote
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Course: Salad
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Jello Salad, Orange Fluff, Orange Fluff Salad
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Chilling: 6 hours
Total Time: 6 hours 15 minutes
Servings: 8
Calories: 270kcal

Ingredients

  • 16 ounces small-curd cottage cheese
  • 1 large package (6 ounces) orange jello
  • 2 cups heavy cream
  • 1 can (11 ounces) mandarin oranges drained
  • 1 can (8 ounces) crushed pineapple drained

Instructions

  • In a large bowl, mix the cottage cheese with the Jell-O powder.
  • In a separate chilled bowl, whip the cream until stiff peaks form.
  • Fold the whipped cream into the gelatin mixture along with the oranges and pineapple.
  • Spoon the mixture into a Jello mold that has been rinsed in cold water.
  • Let it stand in refrigerator until set, at least six hours or preferably overnight.
  • Unmold onto a serving dish lined with lettuce leaves and decorate with cherries.

Notes

Be sure to store the Jello mold in the refrigerator!
You can use a bowl if you do not have a Jello mold.
You can choose a different Jello flavor if you desire. You can try this with cherry, strawberry, or even lime Jello.

Nutrition

Calories: 270kcal | Carbohydrates: 6g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 24g | Saturated Fat: 15g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 7g | Cholesterol: 91mg | Sodium: 230mg | Potassium: 105mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 957IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 89mg | Iron: 1mg

About Stephanie Manley

I recreate your favorite restaurant recipes, so you can prepare these dishes at home. I help you cook dinner, and serve up dishes you know your family will love. You can find most of the ingredients for all of the recipes in your local grocery store.

Stephanie is the author of CopyKat.com's Dining Out in the Home, and CopyKat.com's Dining Out in the Home 2.

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