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Orange Creamsicle Salad

Recipe by Evelyn Marcella Rivera

A light, creamy no-bake dessert salad with orange Jell-O, vanilla pudding, whipped topping, mandarin oranges, and marshmallows. The retro potluck classic that tastes exactly like a creamsicle bar.

  • Total Time15 minutes
  • Yield10 servings 1x

Ingredients

Units Scale
  • 3 oz box orange Jell-O gelatin
  • 3.4 oz box instant vanilla pudding mix
  • 1 cup boiling water
  • 0.5 cup cold water
  • 8 oz whipped topping (Cool Whip), thawed
  • 15 oz can mandarin oranges, drained
  • 1.5 cups mini marshmallows
  • 0.5 cup pineapple tidbits or chopped peaches, drained (optional)

Instructions

  1. Dissolve the Jell-O Dissolve the Jell-O: Whisk the orange gelatin powder with 1 cup of boiling water in a medium bowl until fully dissolved. Stir in 1/2 cup cold water. Let cool for about 10 minutes — do not skip this step or the whipped topping will melt.
  2. Whisk in Pudding Mix Whisk in Pudding Mix: Add the instant vanilla pudding mix and whisk until smooth. The mixture will thicken slightly. This is normal.
  3. Fold in Whipped Topping Fold in Whipped Topping: Gently fold in the thawed whipped topping with a spatula until fully incorporated and the mixture looks light and fluffy. Avoid stirring aggressively — folding keeps the texture airy.
  4. Fold in Fruit and Marshmallows Fold in Fruit and Marshmallows: Add the drained mandarin oranges, mini marshmallows, and optional fruit. Fold gently to keep the mandarin segments intact.
  5. Chill Chill: Transfer to a serving bowl, cover, and refrigerate for at least 1 to 2 hours before serving. The salad thickens and the flavors develop as it chills.
  6. Serve Serve: Serve cold, garnished with extra mandarin segments or a handful of marshmallows if desired.

Notes

Do not rush the cooling step — adding whipped topping to hot Jell-O will deflate it. Cool Whip must be fully thawed before folding in, or it will remain lumpy. Drain the mandarin oranges thoroughly to prevent excess liquid from thinning the salad. The salad can be made up to 24 hours ahead; it holds well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. It becomes firmer the longer it chills.

  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Category: Dessert, Salad, Side Dish
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Calories: 155
  • Sugar: 25
  • Sodium: 175
  • Fat: 3
  • Saturated Fat: 3
  • Carbohydrates: 31
  • Protein: 1

Find it online: https://blesseddish.com/orange-creamsicle-salad/