Cranberry fluff is a sweet, creamy, and festive dish that brings a burst of flavor and color to your holiday table. This no-bake dessert blends tart cranberries, juicy pineapple, fluffy marshmallows, and a smooth whipped topping for the perfect balance of sweet and tangy. Whether served as a side dish or dessert, this classic treat is a must-have for Thanksgiving and Christmas gatherings.
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
✔ Quick & Easy – Just 10 minutes of prep!
✔ Make-Ahead Friendly – Save time on busy holidays.
✔ Sweet & Tangy Flavor – A perfect balance of flavors.
✔ Festive & Colorful – A beautiful addition to your holiday spread.
Pair this with a slow-roasted turkey roll or honey garlic butter shrimp for a complete feast!
Ingredients for Easy Cranberry Fluff
To make this creamy, fruity, and festive dessert, you’ll need:
- 16 ounces fresh cranberries (or frozen, thawed)
- 16 ounces crushed pineapple, drained well
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- 8-ounce block cream cheese, softened
- 16 ounces Cool Whip, thawed
- 3 cups mini marshmallows
- ½ cup chopped pecans (or nut of choice)
Optional Toppings:
- Fresh cranberries
- Additional pecans
- Extra mini marshmallows
- Whipped topping
- Mint leaves or rosemary for garnish
For more low-sugar dessert ideas, check out this healthy dessert guide.
How to Make Cranberry Fluff (Step-by-Step)
Step 1: Chop the Cranberries
- Add cranberries to a food processor and pulse until finely chopped. Don’t overdo it—you want texture, not puree!
Step 2: Sweeten the Cranberries
- In a large bowl, mix the chopped cranberries, drained crushed pineapple, and powdered sugar. Let it sit for 10 minutes to allow flavors to meld.
Step 3: Prepare the Creamy Base
- In another bowl, beat softened cream cheese until smooth.
- Gently fold in whipped topping until fully combined.
Step 4: Combine Everything
- Add the cranberry mixture to the whipped mixture and fold gently.
- Stir in mini marshmallows and chopped nuts (if using).
Step 5: Chill & Serve
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours (overnight is even better!).
- Garnish with whole cranberries, mint, or marshmallows, then serve!
Looking for a complementary crunchy snack? Try these sweet potato chips!
Tips for the Best Cranberry Fluff
✅ Soften the Cream Cheese – Avoid lumps by letting it sit at room temperature before mixing.
✅ Drain Pineapple Well – Too much liquid makes the fluff watery.
✅ Chill Before Serving – This allows the flavors to blend and the marshmallows to soften.
✅ Fold Gently – Overmixing can break down the fluff’s texture.
Pair it with a puff pastry dessert for an irresistible holiday treat!
Easy Cranberry Fluff
Ingredients
- 16 ounces fresh cranberries or frozen, thawed
- 16 ounces crushed pineapple drained well
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- 8- ounce block cream cheese softened
- 16 ounces Cool Whip thawed
- 3 cups mini marshmallows
- ½ cup chopped pecans or nut of choice
Optional Toppings:
- Fresh cranberries
- Additional pecans
- Extra mini marshmallows
- Whipped topping
- Mint leaves or rosemary for garnish
Instructions
- Step 1: Prepare the Cranberries
- Add cranberries to a food processor and pulse until chopped. Leave some larger chunks for texture.
- Step 2: Mix Cranberries and Pineapple
- Drain the crushed pineapple and blot with a paper towel.
- In a bowl, combine cranberries, pineapple, and powdered sugar. Mix well.
- Step 3: Prepare the Creamy Base
- In a large mixing bowl, beat cream cheese until smooth.
- Scrape down the sides of the bowl and beat again to ensure no lumps.
- Gently fold in the Cool Whip until fully combined.
- Step 4: Assemble the Fluff
- Add the cranberry mixture to the cream cheese mixture.
- Stir in mini marshmallows and chopped pecans.
- Mix well until everything is evenly combined.
- Step 5: Chill and Serve
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours to allow flavors to meld.
- Before serving, top with fresh cranberries, pecans, mini marshmallows, or a sprig of rosemary for garnish.
Notes
- Softening the cream cheese before mixing prevents lumps.
- Draining the pineapple well ensures the fluff isn’t too watery.
- Refrigerating overnight enhances the flavor even more.
Variations & Add-Ins
Want to customize your cranberry fluff? Try these ideas:
Add Coconut – Stir in shredded coconut for extra sweetness.
Mandarin Orange Twist – Mix in drained mandarin oranges for a citrusy flavor.
Chocolate Lover’s Fluff – Toss in mini chocolate chips for a decadent touch.
Nut-Free Option – Skip the pecans for an allergy-friendly version.
Looking for more no-bake desserts? Check out this chocolate balls recipe!
How to Store & Make Ahead
Refrigeration: Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Freezing Not Recommended: The texture changes once thawed.
Make Ahead: Prep it the night before so it’s ready to serve!
Serving Suggestions
Cranberry fluff pairs beautifully with holiday meals and sweet treats. Serve it with:
Slow-roasted turkey – A classic Thanksgiving favorite.
Chocolate budino – A rich, Italian-style pudding.
Carrot juice – A healthy drink to balance out the sweetness.
For more serving ideas, explore 15 Fall Fruit Salads.
FAQs
✅ What is in cranberry fluff?
Cranberry fluff is made with chopped cranberries, crushed pineapple, cream cheese, whipped topping, mini marshmallows, and nuts for a creamy, sweet-tart dessert or side dish.
✅ Can you make cranberry fluff salad with canned cranberry sauce?
Yes! Use whole berry cranberry sauce instead of fresh cranberries, but reduce the powdered sugar since canned sauce is already sweetened.
✅ Can cranberry fluff be made ahead of time?
Absolutely! Make it a day in advance and refrigerate for the best flavor and texture.
✅ How do you jazz up a jar of cranberry sauce?
Enhance canned cranberry sauce by adding orange zest, cinnamon, chopped nuts, or a splash of maple syrup for extra depth and flavor.
For more holiday side dishes, explore classic casseroles!
Final Thoughts
This Easy Cranberry Fluff is the perfect holiday side dish or dessert that combines tangy, sweet, and creamy flavors in every bite. Whether you’re making it for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or any festive gathering, it’s sure to be a hit!
Try it today and make your holiday table even more delicious!
Thanks for sharing, It’s sweet and creamy.
I tried it, it tasted delicious.
Thanks 😊