Cranberry Orange Mold
Cranberry Orange Mold is a festive, vibrant gelatin dessert combining the tartness of cranberry sauce with the bright citrus flavor of orange and subtle warmth from cinnamon and cloves. Perfect for holiday gatherings or special occasions, it offers a refreshing, colorful addition to any table.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Dissolve the gelatin completely in boiling water in a large bowl.
- Stir in the cranberry sauce, cold water, lemon juice, cinnamon, and cloves.
- Refrigerate about 1.5 hours or until thickened.
- Stir in the diced orange sections.
- Spoon the mixture into a 5-cup mold.
- Refrigerate about 4 hours or until firm.
- Unmold the gelatin and garnish as desired.
Tips & Substitutions
To enhance flavor, consider adding chopped nuts or substituting the orange Jell-O with a berry flavor for a twist. If you prefer a sweeter taste, try incorporating a bit of honey or agave nectar. For a vegan version, look for plant-based gelatin alternatives to achieve a similar texture without using animal products. Ensure the gelatin is completely dissolved to avoid clumps.
Serving Suggestions
This Cranberry Orange Mold makes a refreshing side dish for holiday meals and pairs beautifully with main dishes like roast turkey or ham. Serve it alongside other festive treats like Christmas Snack Mix for a colorful buffet. Garnish with fresh mint or additional orange zest for a pop of color and flavor.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to five days. If the gelatin begins to lose its firmness, it can be remolded by gently reheating and re-setting it, but avoid freezing as it may alter the texture.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Cranberry Orange Mold contains roughly 177 calories, with 4g protein, 47g carbohydrates, and 4g fat. It is an excellent source of dietary fiber (79% of the Daily Value), calcium (30% of the Daily Value), and iron (28% of the Daily Value), and a good source of vitamin C and potassium. It also contributes 22g of dietary fiber toward your daily target.
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use fresh cranberries instead of canned cranberry sauce?
Yes, you can use fresh cranberries, but you'll need to cook them down with sugar and water to create a sauce-like consistency before adding them to the gelatin mixture. This will provide a fresher taste but will require additional preparation time.
How can I make this recipe without sugar?
This recipe is already designed to be sugar-free by using sugar-free gelatin and whole berry cranberry sauce. Just ensure that any additional ingredients, like lemon juice, are also free from added sugars to maintain the sugar-free profile.
What should I do if the gelatin doesn't set properly?
If your gelatin doesn't set, it might be due to improper dissolution of the gelatin or not using enough gelatin. To fix this, you can gently reheat the mixture, add a bit more gelatin, and then pour it back into the mold to set again in the refrigerator.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).