Orange Dreamsicle Salad

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🍊 Orange Dreamsicle Salad

  • Prep time: 15 minutes

  • Chilling time: 2–4 hours (essential!)

  • Servings: 8–10 people

Ingredients

  • 1 box (3 oz) Orange Gelatin (Jell-O)

  • 1 box (3.4 oz) Instant Vanilla Pudding mix

  • 1 cup Boiling water

  • 1/2 cup Cold water

  • 1 container (8 oz) Whipped topping (like Cool Whip), thawed

  • 2 cans (11 oz each) Mandarin oranges, drained well

  • 2 cups Mini marshmallows

  • Optional: 1/2 cup shredded sweetened coconut or 1/2 cup chopped pecans for texture.

Instructions

  1. Dissolve the Gelatin: In a large mixing bowl, whisk the orange gelatin powder with 1 cup of boiling water until completely dissolved.

  2. Add Cold Water: Stir in the 1/2 cup of cold water.

  3. Chill to Set: Place the bowl in the refrigerator for about 15–20 minutes. You want it to be cold and slightly thickened (the consistency of egg whites), but not fully set.

  4. Whisk in Pudding: Remove from the fridge and whisk in the dry vanilla pudding mix until smooth.

  5. Fold in Clouds: Gently fold in the thawed whipped topping until the color is a uniform, pale orange.

  6. Add Mix-ins: Carefully fold in the drained mandarin oranges and mini marshmallows.

  7. Final Chill: Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours (ideally 4) before serving. This allows the marshmallows to soften and the flavors to meld.

Tips for Success

  • Drain the Oranges: This is the most important step. If there is excess juice, your salad will turn into a watery soup. Let them sit in a colander for 5 minutes.

  • Don’t Over-mix: When adding the whipped topping and fruit, use a spatula and a “folding” motion. If you stir too vigorously, you’ll lose the airiness.

  • The Pudding Secret: Using instant vanilla pudding mix (dry) is what gives this salad its signature “Dreamsicle” creamy vanilla flavor.

Nutritional Info (Per Serving)

Estimate based on 1/10th of the recipe:

  • Calories: 165 kcal

  • Total Fat: 4g

  • Carbohydrates: 31g

  • Sugar: 26g

  • Protein: 1g

The Benefits

While it’s definitely a treat, there are a few perks to this crowd-pleaser:

  • Hydration & Vitamin C: Mandarin oranges provide a small boost of Vitamin C.

  • No-Bake Ease: It keeps your kitchen cool and requires zero stovetop or oven time (besides boiling a cup of water).

  • Kid-Friendly: Even the pickiest eaters usually dive into “The Orange Stuff.”

Q&A

Q: Can I use Greek yogurt instead of whipped topping? A: You can, but it will be much tangier and less fluffy. If you want a healthier swap, try a stabilized whipped cream, but the texture will change significantly.

Q: Can I make this a day in advance? A: Absolutely! In fact, it tastes better the next day. Just give it a very gentle stir before serving to redistribute any settled juices.

Q: How long does it stay fresh? A: It lasts about 3–4 days in the fridge. After that, the marshmallows may start to dissolve and the fruit will release more liquid.

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