Last Updated on June 30, 2021 by Kimberly Stroh
We use the term salad pretty loosely in our home. Dessert salads are a thing in the South, and they’re delicious. Every holiday season, I make this Christmastime Cranberry Fluff Salad recipe. It’s got fresh cranberries that’s marinated with crushed pineapple and blended with a dressing – which is heavy whipping cream and cream cheese. It’s light, fluffy and sweet. It’s a colorful Christmas side dish recipe that everyone loves.
Sometime during my time living in the South, Macaroni and Cheese became a vegetable and the term “salad” didn’t necessarily mean leafy greens. I’m not sure my waistline approves, but every Christmas guest approves of this recipe. Cranberry Fluff Salad has become a tradition on our holiday table now, and we’re never looking back.
Most everyone I know remembers their Grandmother making this side dish recipe. It’s a vintage recipe that definitely originated in the South. Vintage recipes are fun because they’re unexpected. What was old becomes new again, and the next generation can enjoy it.
Looking for other Cranberry Recipes? These Easy Cranberry Coconut Macaroons are a great homemade holiday gift idea. Classic Cranberry Sauce is another holiday table staple. Cranberry Mousse is a single serving dessert that’s beautiful. Cranberry White Chocolate Walnut Fudge is a decadent dessert.
How To Make Cranberry Fluff Salad
This is the ultimate make-ahead side dish recipe. The longer it refrigerates, the more the salad has time to mesh the flavors together. So I like to prepare this recipe beforehand, and let it sit in my refrigerator. The best part? It doesn’t require any use of your oven, so you can save oven space for other holiday side dish recipes.
When To Buy Fresh Cranberries
You can find fresh cranberries in your local grocery store, starting in Mid-October. Cranberries are seasonal and only available through December. However, you can freeze cranberries for up to a year. Then just thaw them before using. For this Cranberry Fluff, you’ll need 12 ounces total (typically 1 bag).
Tips For Making Your Cranberry Fluff Salad
- You can to finely chop the cranberries, in your food processor, without making them mushy. Just pulse until the cranberries are chopped correctly.
- To make stiff peaks, use a hand mixer to create stiff peaks in your heavy whipping cream. I add it to the cream cheese and then look for the stiff peaks after a few minutes of mixing.
What You’ll Need From The Grocery Store For Cranberry Fluff Salad:
- Fresh Cranberries
- Granulated Sugar
- Crushed Pineapple
- Mini Marshmallows
- Cream Cheese
- Heavy Whipping Cream
Step By Step Directions To Make Christmas Cranberry Fluff Salad
Add fresh cranberries to you food processor and pulse until they are well chopped. Don’t overcrop until they are mushy. Pour the cranberries into a large bowl. Stir in the sugar and pineapple and mix well.
Cover and refrigerate for an hour or longer. Drain most of the juice. In a medium bowl, beat the cream cheese until smooth. Pour in the cream and whip until stiff peaks form.
Fold the creamy mixture into the salad. Fold in marshmallows.
Cover and refrigerate for at least 3-4 hours.
Holiday Cranberry Fluff Salad Recipe

This is everyone's favorite Christmas side dish! Holiday Cranberry Fluff Salad is a light and sweet dessert salad that makes the perfect side dish.
Ingredients
- 12 ounce package fresh cranberries
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 8 ounce can crushed pineapple , undrained
- 2 cups mini marshmallows
- 4 ounces cream cheese , softened
- 2 cups heavy whipping cream
Instructions
- Add the cranberries to a food processor and pulse until they are well chopped, but not mushy.
- Pour the cranberries into a large bowl. Stir in the sugar and pineapple and mix well. Cover and refrigerate for an hour or longer. Drain most of the juice.
In a medium bowl, beat the cream cheese until smooth. - Pour in the cream and whip until stiff peaks form. Fold the creamy mixture into the salad. Fold in marshmallows.
- Cover and refrigerate for several hours or overnight.
Notes
To Store: Store cranberry salad covered, in the refrigerator for 2-3 days.
Make ahead Instructions: I definitely recommend making cranberry salad ahead of time. In fact, for best results, make it 1 day before serving.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
8Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 425Total Fat: 26gSaturated Fat: 17gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 82mgSodium: 72mgCarbohydrates: 47gFiber: 2gSugar: 40gProtein: 3g
**Nutritional facts are calculated by a third party. Actual values may vary.