When we were growing up, Orange Jello Salad or Orange Stuff was always on the table at potlucks, parties, Thanksgiving - you name it! Now it's time to share this orange jello salad with pineapple with the rest of the world!
If you're from the Midwest, you know this jello salad recipe, especially as part of an Easter meal or Thanksgiving dinner..
It's the one that my family calls orange fluff. My husband's family calls it Orange Junk Salad and the neighbor calls it Orange Stuff. My great Aunt calls it Mandarin Orange Fluff Jello Salad.
Yet we all know what fruit salad we're talking about.
I mean, let's face it - when we devoured this sweet treat as kids, we didn't know what was in it. We just knew it was delicious.
What is orange jello fluff?
I'd rank this orange fluff salad recipe along with other famous American desserts. Think of ambrosia salad, oreo fluff, watergate salad, and all those fluff-style desserts.
This is an orange fluff jello salad with tapioca, crushed pineapple and mandarin oranges. This easy dessert is all blended together with a creamy Cool Whip, otherwise known as whipped topping.
It kinda tastes like an orange pineapple creamsicle, except - fluff. Dreamy, right???
When we were kids, my Mom called it a salad. In the family cookbooks, guess where it's listed? Not in the cake section, not in the sweets or desserts. It's in the salad portion of the cookbook, right along the also delicious Taffy Apple Salad.
It's also listed as a Weight Watchers Dessert. If you figure that one out, let me know...
Why I love Orange Fluff Salad
It's sweet and creamy, light and fluffy. The jello with tapioca pudding adds body and texture and of course, there's a hint of the tropics from the fruit.
As you can see, this is an epicurean delight. And delish.
There are many variations of this recipe, but mine is an orange fluff jello salad without cottage cheese. In my opinion, it's the best!
While generations before called this orange fluff recipe a salad - let's be honest. Recipes like this are really just an excuse to serve dessert along with the main dish.
It's a cousin to the equally Taffy Apple Salad.
I love my ancestors.
Here's how to make orange fluff dessert:
Okay, let's do this! In a large bowl, add one package of orange jello and two packages of tapioca pudding to three cups of boiling water.
Stir well until all the jello mix dissolves. In case you'd like to know, this was my job as a child and it took it very seriously. Moving on...
Cover and refrigerate overnight.
I'm gonna repeat that. Refrigerate overnight. This means don't wait until the last minute to make this like I may have done the very first time I made it. Ehem...
Add Cool Whip to the jello mixture. Now, you can 100 percent do this by hand but just know your arm muscles may feel the burn in the process. I like to use a hand mixer to break up the jello a bit to make the job easier.
You want your jello to be broken into little pieces. Stir in the Cool Whip.
Drain your canned fruit and fold it gently into the mixture. And that's it!
You may want to transfer it to a serving bowl, or maybe not. Your call.
Variations
- Use pineapple tidbits instead of crushed pineapple for a chunkier jello salad.
- Substitute canned and drained fruit cocktail
- Top with mini marshmallows as a fun, playful garnish.
You might also like this jello with fruit cocktail!
Can I use Sugar Free Options?
Sure, you can use sugar free jello and light whipped topping when you make orange fluff.
Oh, and make sure you lick the spoon when you're finished.
Other delicious recipes you'll love:
- Mom's Apple Slab Pie
- Pistachio Fluff Salad
- Mom's Cinnamon Rolls
- Best Scotcheroo Bars
- Mandarin Orange Cake
If you make this Orange Jello fluff, leave a comment below!
Orange Fluff Jello Salad
Growing up Orange Fluff Jello Salad was also on the table for special occasions. Now it's time to share this mandarin orange and pineapple delight with the next generation!
Ingredients
- 2 packages tapioca pudding, cook n serve (3 ounces each)
- 1 package orange jello (3 ounce package)
- 20 ounce can crushed pineapple, drained
- 15 ounce mandarin oranges, drained
- 8 ounce cool whip brand or similar whipped topping
Instructions
- In a large bowl, add one package of orange jello and two packages of tapioca pudding to three cups of boiling water.
- Stir well to combine until all the jello mix is dissolved. Cover and refrigerate overnight.
- After the jello has set, add Cool Whip to the jello mixture. You can do this by hand or may use a hand mixer to break up the jello into small pieces.
- Stir in the Cool Whip. Drain your canned fruit and fold it gently into the mixture.
- Serve and enjoy!
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
12Serving Size:
1 gramsAmount Per Serving: Calories: 139Unsaturated Fat: 0g
Shared on Meal Plan Monday and Weekend Potluck
Original photo taken at Thanksgiving 2019. Awwww.....
Katie
OH YUM!!! I grew up in the south, and we had a version of this with coconut! Yum yum, I love this recipe and can't wait to try it!
Beth Pierce
This sounds like the best afternoon delight! What a fun combo of flavors; I'll have to give this a try at Easter!
Beth
I call this Delicious!! I know it's a salad but I could eat this as a meal!
Jeannette (Jay Joy)
MY FAMILY LOVES FLUFF! I have been looking for this recipe everywhere. I am so making this Orange Fluff Jello Salad for dessert after Easter dinner!
Bee
This looks very delish! I have a recipe that is similar and my husband always requests it. Thanks for sharing, I am always looking for new recipes to try.
Jennifer
Yum! We called it fluff. The jello flavor varied, but the other ingredients are basically the same. Wondering now why I never make it for my own family? This was a holiday staple all through my Iowa childhood.
Deanne Frieders
Hello in Iowa! I'm trying to make some of my childhood favorites so our kids get to see them, too!
Kate
Mmmm I love fluff jello recipes, and this orange one looks delicious! Can't wait to try!
Kiki Johnson
This recipe looks amazing! We don't get orange flavored jello here in Mexico but mango and pineapple! Do you think that would work as well?
Sylvie
What a fun recipe, so perfect for a hot summer day bbq or picnic! I'm sure kids go crazy for this one 🙂
Sophie
Such a lovely recipe. Always love orange and cream!
Veena Azmanov
This is surely a delicious and yummy salad. Love the orange flavor to it. Unique and special.
Natalie
YUM! Looks so delicious and I bet kids will love it!
Sara Welch
The name of this recipe clearly states the truth! This was so light and fluffy and full of sweet flavor; my whole family loved it!
Kim
Do I use the instant kind of orange flavored jello? The directions do not specify and neither does the rest of this blog posting. Thanks so much.
Sara
We use lemon and lime and my kids call it green stuff. Love the way you can use any flavor of jello and you still have the same 'stuff'.
It's ALL good and can be color coordinated to go with the holiday decorations just by changing the flavor of the jello!
Deanne Frieders
My husbands family calls it junk, haha! A fun recipe for sure!
Jimmy
My grandma used to make fluff salads. I stumbled on your recipe a year ago and I’ve made it for my family on many occasions. Thank you for sharing it. It makes me feel closer to my grandma.
Deanne Frieders
Awww, I'm so glad to hear that, Jimmy. There's something about tried and true recipes that bring us closer together.
Beryl
This sounds so yummy and I would like to make it but one thing I cant substitute here in Australia is Cool Whip as I don't know what it is, can you give me an idea what it is so I can try and find something similar here
Thanks for sharing. I am about to have a good look around your site now.
Deanne Frieders
Hi Beryl, Cool Whip is a brand of whipped topping here. I'm not sure if you have it in Australia or not!
Kelly
Great recipe. The only change we made was to cut the jello down to one box instead of two. Thanks for sharing.
Karens
So glad you enjoyed it. Thank you!
Rachel
This is easy to make and very good. There were no left overs.
Deanne Frieders
So glad you liked it Rachel!
Karen
Stores do not carry 3 oz pkg of Tapioca. I have the large box. What would be the amount of Tapioca I should use for this recipe ? Thank you