My mother has been making this gelatin salad as long as I can remember. When I was younger, it was a staple at Thanksgiving and Christmas, and often served as a side to the meal, instead of dessert. Every time I taste it, it is like taking a bite out of childhood. I always look forward to eating it this time of year. I am not a huge fan of gelatin salads, but I adore this. My mom was kind enough to allow me to share her special recipe with all of my wonderful readers. It is a beautiful and festive side dish or dessert for the holidays. It is packed full of pineapple, maraschino cherries, and walnuts. It has a wonderful combination of flavors and textures.
Happy December! I am excited to bring this yummy gelatin treat to Fiesta Friday #147 (your lovely hosts this week are Linda @ La Petite Paniere, Jhuls @ The Not So Creative Cook and Throwback Thursday # 64!
Ingredients
- 1 20 oz can crushed pineapple
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 2 packets Knox gelatin
- 1/2 cup cold water
- 1/2 cup maraschino cherries (an 11 oz jar will be enough for recipe and to garnish)
- 1/2 cup walnuts
- 1 8 oz package cream cheese
- 1 packet Dream Whip
Instructions
- Remove the cream cheese from the fridge and let it come to room temperature. Cut into small blocks.
- Place the measured water into the freezer to get cold, unless you have cold water available.
- Chop the maraschino cherries and nuts into small bite-sized pieces.
- Add the pineapple to a pot with the sugar and cook over medium heat until it comes to a boil (I use a stainless pot). After it boils, reduce to a simmer until the gelatin is ready.
- To prepare the gelatin, soak the gelatin in cold water for 5 min.
- Add the gelatin water mixture to the pineapple mixture and stir to dissolve.
- Next, add the cream cheese to the pineapple mixture. Use a spoon to work the cheese into the mixture. It will take a few minutes to do so, and you will be left with very small pieces of cheese incorporated. Remove from heat.
- Stir in the cherries and nuts. Let the mixture cool down.
- Once it has cooled, beat in the dream whip with a mixer for about 4 minutes.
- Pour into a glass pie dish or your favorite gelatin mold, and once completely cooled, place in fridge ( If placing in a pie dish, cover carefully, if you don't want to flip it. If you plan on flipping it, the plastic wrap can touch the dessert.) Let sit in the fridge several hours to set, or overnight.
- Remove from the fridge. If using a mold, run hot water over the mold, just until it starts to loosen from the sides. Remove from the mold. If using a glass pie dish, place the dish in hot water (start with warm water to warm the dish up first, so it doesn't crack). Using a spatula or butter knife, gently release the sides and lift up. Perform this step a couple of times to loosen from container. Carefully turn over, and tap the dish a couple of times. If it doesn't come out, repeat again. Enjoy!
So pretty Antonia! And it reminds me of something my grandmother used to make. ❤️
Thank you Sadie! Don’t you just love food that reminds you of childhood and the most special people in your life? Have a wonderful day!
It sounds yummy, and looks so festive! I love your platter, and Holiday plate.
Thanks Deborah! My mom gave me the platter, and I just had to use it for her beautiful dish 😀 Have a great day!
What a special platter! I’m sure you treasure it.
I am, it so perfect for this time of year 😀 Thank you!
We had a very similar recipe when I was growing up Antonia! This definitely brings back some memories 🙂
That’s cool! I love food that brings back memories. Have a wonderful day Heather 😀
Beautiful and special! Thanks for sharing
Thank you so much Lynn 😀 Have a fantastic day!
I love these traditional recipes from our families! So lovely
I do too, it makes the holidays so special. It’s the first time I made this, because my mom always makes it. Thank you Lynn 😀
Lovely
Thank you 😀
Kind of like ambrosia! My grandmother used to make something very similar – it was so yummy!! 🙂
Yes, very similar! I just love when food and memories are intertwined 😀 Have a wonderful end to your week Linda!
Thanks Antonia!! 🙂 You too
Thank you 😀
Very interesting!! Looks yum!
Thanks Freda! Have an awesome Friday 😀
My mom used to make those salads too, Antonia. Thanks for the recipe 🙂
Neat. I am sure it brings back memories 😀 Have a wonderful weekend Diana!
What a special treat to bring at this week’s FF! This looks pretty and delicious, Antonia! Happy December and have a nice weekend! 🙂
Thank you so much Jhuls! Happy Fiesta Friday and have a great weekend too 😀 Thank you for hosting!
I have never heard of this pie before, Antonia but it sounds so good. Thanks for sharing this with Fiesta Friday! 🙂
Thank you for the kind words Linda! Thank you for hosting Fiesta Friday and have a wonderful weekend!
My late father in law used to make something similar. My husband talks about it all the time! So maybe I’ll surprise him and make it this Christmas 😄
I am sure those are wonderful memories for him. That is sweet, I hope he enjoys it if you decide to make it. Happy Fiesta Friday!
This one looks gorgeous. I love gelatin desserts – cream cheese doesn’t feel that heavy.
Thank you Inese! I agree, it doesn’t feel heavy, and gives it a great texture. Have a wonderful day 😀
You too have a wonderful day! xx
Thank you 😀
That a beautiful treat for the holiday season. Family favorites are the best!
Thank you Julie! I agree, family favorites are and make the holidays more special. Have a wonderful week 😀
Mom’s recipes are always special, aren’t they? This looks fabulous and so festive!
Totally agree, there is nothing like mom’s recipes! Thank you Sandhya, and have a fantastic day 😀
I don’t think I’ve ever heard of a gelatin salad, but it looks like a wonderfully festive dish. 🙂
Thank you Louise! Have a fantastic week!
That looks so lovely and your pics are beautiful Antonia….
Thank you Swapna! Have a wonderful day 😀
What a wonderful and looking pie. WOW.
I am also extending a personal invite and hope you will be able to participate in our first new monthly exchange: T’IS THE SEASON: CAKES, COOKIES AND TREATS – December 2016 Share and Inspire Others! – cookandenjoyrecipes.wordpress.com/2016/12/01/share-and-inspire-others-december-2016-event/ .
Hope to see there there as well. Entries due via email to cookandenjoy@shaw.ca by midnight, 10 December, Vancouver, BC time. 😉
Thank you for the kind words and invitation Esme! I just emailed you the link to this recipe 😀 Have a wonderful day!
Fantastic, Thanks so much Zoale. 😉
You’re welcome! 😀
😉
Thanks so much received it
Awesome 😀
😊
I’ve never tasted a gelatin salad, Antonia, but this one looks and sounds delicious. You’ve also presented it so beautifully on that lovely dish.
Thank you so much Millie! It has a soft texture, and is very different than other desserts. Have a lovely day 😀
Hi Antonia–this does look like a holiday on a plate! I can see it at our Christmas brunch. Don’t you love family recipes– that show up year after years. Like my grandma’s chocolate pie. We always loved when she cut it up into slices. Fun post! hugs from here!!
Family recipes are the best. I bet her chocolate pie was amazing 😀 Thanks Rhonda! Hugs to you as well!
Happy weekend Antonia!
Happy weekend to you as well Rhonda!