Cherry Jello Salad with fruit is a delightful, light, and fruity dessert after a heavy meal. It is so delicious and can be modified to create a dessert your family will love.
This Cherry Jello Salad with fruit is like stepping back in time to the 1950’s in the best possible way. The recipe has standed the test of time due to the fact it is easy to make, refreshing and so pretty.
Who invented Jello? Here is the answer.
MORE JELLO RECIPES YOU MIGHT LIKE
Strawberry Jello Shots | 20 Old Fashioned Jello Cake Recipes | Lime Jello Salad
What We Love About This Christmas Jello Salad Recipe
This Cherry Jello salad is perfect for any time that you want something light and fruity and not something that is heavy and is going to weigh you down.
- Quick: It is so nice to be able to make it and move on during these busy times. This is a wonderful make ahead side.
- Easy Ingredients: This recipe is a breeze to make with easy ingredients.
- Family Friendly: There is always room for this dessert especially something so light and fruity. Perfect for holidays or cookouts.
- Adaptable: Can be made in so many combinations and varieties.
Ingredient Notes for Recipe for Jello Salad
- Jello: Two 3 oz packages of cherry Jello. Sugar free can also be of use here.
- Strawberries: 1 10 oz package frozen sliced strawberries.
- Mixed Berries: 1 10 oz package frozen mixed berries, blueberries, blackberries, raspberries.
- Pie Filling: 1 21 oz can cherry pie filling, also use a sugar free pie filling.
- Pineapple: 1 20 oz can pineapple chunks, drain the pineapple juice. Use crushed pineapple or even fresh pineapple.
- Pears: 1 15 oz can pear halves, drain the liquid and cut into chunks, in their own juice.
- Oranges: 1 15 oz can mandarin oranges, drained.
- Apples: 2 Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored and chopped.
- Bananas: 3 bananas, sliced.
Equipment Needed for Jello Fruit Salad
- Measuring Spoons
- Mixing Bowls
- Measuring Cup
- Serving Dish
How to Make Cherry Jello Salad with Fruit
These are the basic steps for making Christmas jello salad. Please refer to the recipe card below for more detailed instructions and nutrition information and serving size.
STEP 1: MAKE JELLO
First, in a large bowl, whisk Jello in boiling water. Then stir in the strawberries, mixed fruit and the other fruit. Finally, cover and refrigerate for three to four hours.
Prep and Storage Tips for Jello with Fruit
HOW TO MAKE THIS RECIPE AHEAD OF TIME
This recipe can last up to three days in the fridge. Just make sure that it is wrapped well to keep out moisture and odors. Also, omit the bananas or wait to serve with them on top so they don’t get bad.
HOW TO STORE THIS RECIPE
Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator or wrap well in plastic wrap or foil.
HOW TO FREEZE THIS RECIPE
These old fashioned jello salad recipes are not great to freeze. The texture will definitely change and it will not be appetizing.
Frequently Asked Questions for Jello Salads for Thanksgiving
One of the ways that this can be adapted is to use sugar-free cherry gelatin and no-sugar-added fruits and pie filling. You get plenty of sweetness from the fresh fruits — you don’t even miss the extra sugar.
Sure, you can use any type of fruit in the mixture that you want to make it unique such as cranberry, black cherries. Even change up the Jello flavor.
Of course, you can use a jello molds or pan to make the dessert festive. They have cute ones for Thanksgiving, Easter or Christmas etc.
Yes, try adding mini marshmallows, cream cheese, instant vanilla pudding or even fun sprinkles.
Expert Tips for Making This Jell-O Salad Recipe
- Make Individual: Use disposable clear cups or pretty parfait glasses.
- Trifle Bowl: Use a trifle bowl and lay all the fruit out in pretty patterns. it looks gorgeous as the centerpiece to the table,
- Toppings: Top with Whipped cream, cool whip or toasted coconut. Or use this dessert as a topper for ice cream.
- Crunch: Chopped Nuts or crushed pretzels add a great crunch to this dessert.
- Lighten up: Feel free to use fruit packed in its own juice and sugar free options of filling and jello.
What to Serve with Cherry Jello with Fruit
- Stabilized Whipped Cream
- Maraschino Cherries
- Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream
Did you try this recipe?
⭐ Click below to leave a review and rating! ⭐
Cherry Jello Salad
Ingredients
- 2 3 oz packages cherry Jello
- 2 cups boiling water
- 1 10 oz package frozen sliced strawberries
- 1 10 oz package frozen mixed berries, blueberries, blackberries, raspberries
- 1 21 oz can cherry pie filling
- 1 20 oz can pineapple chunks, drained
- 1 15 oz can pear halves, drained and cut into chunks
- 1 15 oz can mandarin oranges, drained
- 2 Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored and chopped
- 3 bananas, sliced
Instructions
- In a large bowl, dissolve Jello in boiling water.
- Stir in the strawberries and mixed berries.
- Stir in the remaining ingredients.
- Cover and refrigerate for 3-4 hours before serving.
Video
Expert Tips
- Make Individual: Use disposable clear cups or pretty parfait glasses.
- Trifle Bowl: Use a trifle bowl and lay all the fruit out in pretty patterns. it looks gorgeous as the centerpiece to the table,
- Toppings: Top with Whipped cream, cool whip or toasted coconut. Or use this dessert as a topper for ice cream.
- Crunch: Chopped Nuts or crushed pretzels add a great crunch to this dessert.
- Lighten up: Feel free to use fruit packed in its own juice and sugar free options of filling and jello.
Estimated Nutritional Information
The nutritional information provided are estimates. To learn more about how I calculate this information go to www.itisakeeper.com/about-its-a-keeper/privacy-disclosure-policies/
Recipes You Might Have Missed
Get our best easy recipes delivered straight to your inbox.
Will it be a problem if i don’t use frozen fruit as my family is not fans of berries. I know you usually add cold water to jello so i did not know if frozen fruit was a substitute.
I’ve never tried it that way. I couldn’t give you a definite answer. :/
Christina, the jello recipe calls for 1 – 2 oz. pineapple chunks. Is that correct?? Thank you. Rita
That is correct. enjoy!
Christina, the smallest can of pineapple is 8 ounces. Did you mean 20 ounces, similar in size to the oranges and pears?
It’s a 20 oz can. Thanks for pointing that out. I’ve corrected the recipe. 🙂
Cherry jello salad
Do you put in the oranges with the liquid or do you drain them?
You drain them.
This reminds me of something my grandma used to make but she used cranberries. I love the idea of cherries for summer!
It’s so light and refreshing! Perfect for summer!
Your fabulous Cherry Jello Salad reminds me of the one my Grandmother used to make! It’s so yummy, refreshing and delicious. I’m tickled pink to have finally found a recipe similar to hers that I can continue to make and share with my family. This recipe is definitely a keeper!
Oh my yum! This type of salad reminds me of one my grandmother made. I love, love, love all of the different berries. So refreshing!
I love recipes that bring back memories 🙂
JELLO! I love Jello! I usually serve it for dessert but your recipe has so much yummy fruit in it that it was perfect for a side dish! My family though it was a treat!
This is such a classic and crowd pleasing dessert or snack! Jello and fruit just doesn’t get any better than this simple dish!
It’s a favorite in our house 🙂
My family loved your Cherry Salad recipe. So good and simple too.
I’m glad you enjoyed it!
I love how light and refreshing this salad is! A true classic!
Yes! It’s always a crowd pleaser!
Haven’t made a jello salad (ever), but this one looks way too good to pass up! YUM!
It’s always a hit when I make it! Light and refreshing!
What a fun dessert idea! I’ve never tried making jello salad before but it looks great!
My family can’t get enough of it!
Sounds Yummy, I’m on a lifetime healthy eating Dr ordered (diet)but I never thought to add all those at once to my sugarfree jello Delish!
New GFC, twitter follower/only GFC here though
http://sueparks2003.com/
Gladys Parker Thanks!
Stopping by from Whimsical Wednesday… hoping for a follow back… Can’t wait to try some of your recipes
This looks wonderful. I love food blogs and have one myself.
I found you from the Catch a Wednesay blog hop.
Elizabeth @ http://ithappensatdinner.blogspot.com
Ah, a classic. Wonderfully refreshing!
Yumm! Okay it has more ingredients than I usually deal with haha but this sounds too good not to make. Congrats on your nephew getting christened this weekend…such a beautiful moment..my son’s christening date is approaching and I still need to find him a white suit ahhh!
Delighted Momma
This looks yummy, can’t wait to make it tomorrow! Joined Ya on GFC, hope to see ya stop by Parent Palace = )
Found you at the Tuesday Blog Hop! Glad I did am a happy new follower :).
Hi,visiting from the Hop a Little Tuesday. Followed you before and have also clicked LIKE on your FB page as “Kara Hara”. I would love if you could return the favor.
http://freedelicacies.blogspot.com
Thank you.