Grandma's Cranberry-Orange Gelatin Salad

My grandmother made this cranberry orange Jell-O salad every Thanksgiving. It is delicious even without its creamy topping. This side dish is so yummy that I sometimes make it even when it's not Thanksgiving! Depending on your salad's shape, you can spread the topping in a layer over the Jell-O; or if you use a ring mold, put the topping in the center. You could also serve the topping in a bowl on the side, so it's optional.

• Preparation Time: 20 mins
• Total Time: 20 mins
• Calories: 231 Calories

Ingredients

• 1 cup chopped pecans
• 1 teaspoon orange zest
• 2 cups boiling water
• 1 (6 ounce) package raspberry flavored Jell-O® mix
• 1 cup chopped celery
• 1 (16 ounce) can whole berry cranberry sauce
• 1 (4 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
• 1 (8 ounce) can crushed pineapple, undrained
• ½ cup whipped topping

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Place gelatin into a bowl, pour in boiling water, and stir until gelatin dissolves. Mix in cranberry sauce, pineapple, celery, pecans, and orange zest until evenly blended. Pour gelatin mixture into a mold or serving dish.

Step 2

Chill in the refrigerator for 8 hours to overnight.

Step 3

To make topping, beat cream cheese with 1/2 of the whipped topping. Fold in remaining whipped topping until well blended.

Step 4

Unmold gelatin, then spread with topping mixture.