Easy Dream Salad

Prep: 10 min Serves: 6 Cuisine: American

A classic dessert salad, combining creamy cottage cheese, sweet fruit cocktail, and fluffy Cool Whip.

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Ingredients

  • 1 (3 oz.) pkg. gelatin
  • 1 (9 oz.) Cool Whip
  • 1 small can fruit cocktail
  • 1 large carton (24 oz.) cottage cheese

Instructions

  1. Stir dry ingredients into cottage cheese.
  2. Mix well with rest of ingredients.

Tips & Substitutions

For a creamier texture, let the cottage cheese sit at room temperature for about 10 minutes before mixing. You can substitute the fruit cocktail with your favorite seasonal fruits to customize the flavor. If you want a more vibrant color, consider using flavored gelatin like peach or cherry. This dish is perfect for potlucks or as a side for dishes like Krum Kakes.

Serving Suggestions

This Easy Dream Salad is perfect as a light dessert or a colorful side dish for summer barbecues. It pairs beautifully with grilled meats and is a refreshing addition to any picnic spread. Consider serving it alongside Pink Cottage Cheese Salad for a delightful variety of flavors and textures.

Storage & Reheating

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. The salad will keep well for up to three days. It’s best enjoyed cold, so there's no need to reheat. Just give it a good stir before serving to redistribute the ingredients.

Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)

Each serving of Easy Dream Salad contains roughly 166 calories, with 4g protein, 36g carbohydrates, and 1g fat. It is a good source of iron (13% of the Daily Value).

166 kcal 8% DV
Protein Fat Carbs

Macronutrients

Protein 4.4g 9% DV
Total Fat 1.2g 2% DV
Carbs 35.7g 13% DV
Fiber 1.3g 5% DV
Sugar 27.2g 54% DV

Electrolytes

Sodium 208.3mg 9% DV
Potassium 86.1mg 2% DV
Cholesterol 2.8mg 1% DV

Vitamins & Minerals

Vitamin A 83mcg 9% DV
Vitamin C 3.6mg 4% DV
Vitamin D 0.5mcg 3% DV
Calcium 64.5mg 5% DV
Iron 2.3mg 13% DV
Diet fit Under 400 cal Low-fat
Contains Milk

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 low-fat cottage cheese in this recipe?

Yes, you can use low-fat cottage cheese if you're looking to reduce calories. The texture may be slightly different, but it will still yield a delicious salad. Just be sure to mix well to avoid any clumps.

How can I make this salad more colorful?

To enhance the color of your Easy Dream Salad, you can add diced strawberries, blueberries, or mandarin oranges along with the fruit cocktail. Using a flavored gelatin like raspberry instead of plain can also brighten its appearance.

Is this salad suitable for vegetarians?

Absolutely! This Easy Dream Salad is a vegetarian recipe, as it contains no meat or meat byproducts. It's a fantastic option for gatherings, ensuring that your vegetarian friends can enjoy a sweet treat.

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).

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