Name: Easy Pineapple Fluff Salad (A 10-Minute No-Bake Treat!)
Prep time: 10 min
Total time: 2 h 10 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 (20-ounce) can Canned Crushed Pineapple, well-drained; 1 (8-ounce) tub Thawed Cool Whip; 1 (3.4-ounce) package Instant Vanilla Pudding Mix; 1 cup Mini Marshmallows; 1 cup (8 ounces) Softened Cream Cheese or Cottage Cheese; ½ cup Shredded Sweetened Coconut (optional); ½ cup Chopped Pecans or Walnuts (optional); ½ teaspoon Pure Vanilla Extract; A pinch of Salt; Extra Whipped Cream, for dollops; Maraschino Cherries, for a pop of color; Toasted Coconut Flakes, for tropical flavor; Crushed Graham Crackers or Vanilla Wafers, for crunch

Description

This is the ultimate quick-fix dessert salad! It uses simple, ready-made ingredients for a treat that’s as easy as it is delicious. The hardest part is simply waiting for it to chill and for the flavors to meld together perfectly.

Ingredients

For the Fluff Salad

$1$ (20-ounce) can Canned Crushed Pineapple, well-drained
$1$ (8-ounce) tub Thawed Cool Whip
$1$ (3.4-ounce) package Instant Vanilla Pudding Mix
$1$ cup Mini Marshmallows
$1$ cup ( $8$ ounces) Softened Cream Cheese or Cottage Cheese
$1/2$ cup Shredded Sweetened Coconut (optional)
$1/2$ cup Chopped Pecans or Walnuts (optional)
$1/2$ teaspoon Pure Vanilla Extract
A pinch of Salt

For Garnish (Optional)

Extra Whipped Cream, for dollops
Maraschino Cherries, for a pop of color
Toasted Coconut Flakes, for tropical flavor
Crushed Graham Crackers or Vanilla Wafers, for crunch

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

Prep Pineapple & Cream Cheese: Thoroughly drain the crushed pineapple in a fine-mesh sieve, pressing to remove liquid but reserving 2 tablespoons of juice. In a large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese with a hand mixer until completely smooth and fluffy.
Create the Pudding Base: Add the dry instant vanilla pudding mix and the 2 tablespoons of reserved pineapple juice to the cream cheese. Blend on low speed until creamy and incorporated.
Fold in Pineapple & Cool Whip: Switch to a rubber spatula. Gently fold in the drained crushed pineapple, followed by the entire tub of thawed Cool Whip. Use a gentle folding motion until no streaks remain.
Add Mix-Ins: Gently stir in the mini marshmallows and the optional shredded coconut and chopped nuts.
Chill to Perfection: Transfer the fluff to a serving bowl, cover tightly with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or overnight for best results. This step is crucial for the fluff to set.
Garnish and Serve: Just before serving, garnish with your desired toppings like extra whipped cream, cherries, or toasted coconut. Serve chilled.

Notes

Drain the Pineapple Well: This is the most important step to prevent a runny fluff salad. Press the pineapple firmly in a sieve.
Smooth Cream Cheese: For a velvety, lump-free texture, ensure your cream cheese is well-softened and beaten smooth before adding other ingredients.
Fold Gently: Use a gentle folding motion when adding the Cool Whip to keep the dessert light and airy. Vigorous stirring will cause it to lose volume.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Category: Dessert, Salad, No-Bake, Side Dish
Method: No-Bake, Chilling
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: ½ cup
Calories: 165kcal
Sugar: 18g
Sodium: 150mg
Fat: 9g
Saturated Fat: 7g
Unsaturated Fat: 1g
Carbohydrates: 20g
Fiber: 0.5g
Protein: 1.5g
Cholesterol: 25mg