Fruit And Cream Cheese Salad
A light and refreshing fruit and cream cheese salad featuring sweet fruit cocktail and a smooth, cinnamon-infused cream cheese layer. Perfect for family gatherings or potlucks, this dessert combines fruity flavors with a creamy texture, offering a delightful balance of sweetness and richness in each bite.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Drain the fruit cocktail, reserving the juice.
- Add enough water to the reserved juice to make 1 cup.
- Dissolve the strawberry gelatin in 2 cups of boiling water.
- Add the juice mixture to the dissolved gelatin and chill until thickened.
- Take 2 1/4 cups of this gelatin mixture and set aside, chilling until it is thickened.
- Blend the remaining gelatin mixture slowly into softened cream cheese and cinnamon, beating until smooth.
- Add the fruit cocktail to the thickened gelatin and pour into a 6-cup mold or 10 individual molds.
- Chill until set but not firm, about 15 minutes.
- Top with the cream cheese and gelatin mixture, then chill until firm, about 3 hours.
- Unmold and serve.
Tips & Substitutions
For a richer flavor, consider adding a splash of vanilla extract to the cream cheese mixture. If you want to cut down on sweetness, you can use unsweetened fruit cocktail or substitute some of the gelatin with fresh fruit puree. This salad can be made a day in advance, making it a great choice for gatherings alongside American recipes like Chicken Casserole With Almonds.
Serving Suggestions
Serve the Fruit And Cream Cheese Salad chilled, garnished with fresh mint leaves for a pop of color. It pairs beautifully with Five Fruit Salad for a refreshing dessert spread or can be enjoyed as a light snack. Consider serving alongside a hearty dish like Fastest Cake In The West to balance the flavors.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. If the salad is too firm after chilling, let it sit at room temperature for a few minutes before serving to soften the texture. Avoid freezing as it can alter the consistency of the cream cheese and gelatin.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Fruit And Cream Cheese Salad contains roughly 289 calories, with 3g protein, 32g carbohydrates, and 17g fat.
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 fruit instead of canned fruit cocktail?
Yes, you can use fresh fruit instead of canned fruit cocktail. Just make sure to cut the fruit into similar-sized pieces and adjust the sweetness if necessary, as fresh fruit can vary in flavor. Popular choices include diced apples, grapes, and berries for a vibrant mix.
Is it possible to make this salad vegan?
To make this salad vegan, substitute the cream cheese with a dairy-free alternative and use agar-agar or a plant-based gelatin substitute instead of traditional gelatin. You can also use fruit juice or coconut milk for added creaminess.
How can I make the salad more colorful?
To enhance the color of your Fruit And Cream Cheese Salad, incorporate a variety of colorful fruits such as kiwi, blueberries, or strawberries. You can also use flavored gelatin in different colors to create a striped effect in the mold, making it visually appealing.
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).