Every Thanksgiving, I have to serve a cherry cranberry jello salad of some kind. I don’t usually like to just eat cranberry sauce, but if I put it in a jello then I absolutely love it. I usually make this cherry cranberry jello a couple of times a year, typically around the holidays.
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Cherry Cranberry Jello Salad Brings Back the Memories
When I was little my mom used to make cherry cranberry jello all the time. My mother passed away in 1981 from Lou Gehrig’s disease, but I still remember the few last times she was actually able to make dinner. She had made a big cherry jello salad and was trying to move it into the refrigerator so it could set, and her legs gave out and she fell sending the jello everywhere in the kitchen.
This was about the first time that I realized how the disease was starting to take over her body. That was really frustrating for my mom and she was so sad. It was hard to see her go through this. So to this day, whenever I make a cherry jello recipe, I always think of my mom and that day. It’s weird what triggers memories in your mind!
I absolutely love this Cranberry Cherry Jello Salad recipe. It is the perfect compliment to your holiday dinners. If you aren’t sure yet on what jello salads for Thanksgiving dinner are the best, this is one to try. I know my mom would have loved it!
If you want to try one of our other classic jello salads, try our famous Cranberry Jello Salad!
Cooking Tools/Utensils You Will Need
When going through the Cranberry Jello recipe card below, here are some of the cooking utensils and tools you’ll likely need!
Casserole Dish
Whisk or Hand Mixer
- 👉 BUY – KitchenAid Classic Utility Whisk
- 👉 BUY – Portable 5 Speed Electric Hand Mixer
Medium-to-Large Mixing Bowl
Measuring Cups(both cups and spoons)
Try Making This Cherry Cranberry Jello Salad Recipe Today!
- 1 large pkg. (6 oz.) Cherry Jello
- 1 cup boiling water
- ½ cup cold water
- 1 large (20 oz.) can crushed pineapple (don't drain)
- 1 (14 oz.) can whole cranberry sauce
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- 1 (8 oz.) pkg. cream cheese
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- ¼ cup finely chopped walnuts
- (optional: 1 cup chopped apple or celery) adds crunch
- In a bowl, dissolve the jello in 1 cup of boiling water, by stirring for approximately 2 minutes
- Add ½ cup cold water, crushed pineapple (don't drain) and cranberry sauce.
- Mix well until all is blended together.
- (Optional: add celery or apples if desired)
- Pour into a casserole dish. (You can lightly spray it with veg. spray to help serve easier)
- Put in refrigerator and let set. (4-5 hours)
- In a bowl, whip the heavy whipping cream with the powdered sugar until stiff.
- In a separate bowl, beat the cream cheese until smooth.
- Add the whipped cream to the cream cheese and beat until smooth and blended well.
- Spread over the top of the set jello.
- Sprinkle walnuts over the top.
- Keep refrigerated until ready to serve.
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Love this but thought the original recipe had 1/2 cup PORT WINE, which I always used. I lost my recipe of this on myrecipe file. Did you ever have this with wine and grated orange rind /cool whip topping (in lieu of whipped cream) or maybe I made that change myself. Either way I can make the changes myself. I enjoy your sight and recipes.
Thanks, Celine
A friend gave me this recipe, but it also adds a finely chopped Granny Smith Apple. The topping is cream cheese, sour cream, 1/4 Cup confectioner’s sugar and 1/2 tsp vanilla. Absolutely delicious.