Rich & Creamy Cranberry-Pineapple Salad

Name: Rich & Creamy Cranberry-Pineapple Salad
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 50 min
Yield: 6
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 20 oz canned crushed pineapple, drained thoroughly; 2 c fresh or frozen cranberries, thawed, processed finely; 1 1/2 Tbsp granulated sugar; 2 stalks celery, diced small; 4 oz marshmellow creme; 8 oz tub whipped topping; 8 oz cream cheese, softened, room temp; 1/4 c 2% milk; 1/2 c powdered sugar (confection sugar); 2/3 c walnut pieces, or chopped walnuts

By V Seward
@Vseward

I like to experiment with salads. Craving something creamy, crunchy and packed with flavor I came up with this dreamy delight. Flavors of cranberry, pineapple adding texture with celery, walnut and tanginess flavor of Cream Cheese this was a hit with family and friends. It can be served right along side anything from chicken, turkey, ham, roast, you name it.
My guests ask "Is it a salad? or Dessert?" It's definitely both!
Photo courtesy of Kelly Williams
(Note: Cook time is chill time)

Blue Ribbon Recipe

We were just blown away by the creativity of this delectable dish. It can most definitely pass for either a salad or dessert... and you can't help but feel a little extra swanky noshing out of a martini glass. The Test Kitchen

Rating:

★★★★★ 8 votes5

Comments:

32 Comments

Serves:

Prep:

20 Min

Cook:

30 Min

Method:

No-Cook or Other

Ingredients

Add to Grocery List

20 oz

canned crushed pineapple, drained thoroughly
2 c

fresh or frozen cranberries, thawed, processed finely
1 1/2 Tbsp

granulated sugar
2

stalks celery, diced small
4 oz

marshmellow creme
8 oz

tub whipped topping
8 oz

cream cheese, softened, room temp
1/4 c

2% milk
1/2 c

powdered sugar (confection sugar)
2/3 c

walnut pieces, or chopped walnuts

How to Make Rich & Creamy Cranberry-Pineapple Salad

Step-by-Step

Drain pineapple thoroughly, strain, ring out any excess juices, set aside.
In a food processor, add cranberries and chop fine, add to drained pineapple. (If cranberries are frozen, place under warm water for 2 minutes to thaw) add 1 1/2 T sugar while processing
With a hand mixer, mix softened cream cheese until smooth, add 1/4 c. milk and 1/2 cup powdered sugar, mix until smooth.
Add 4 oz marshmellow creme to cream cheese, stir until combined.
In a bowl mix pineapple, cranberries, chopped celery.Add Cream cheese mixture, fold in 8 oz whipped topping and fold into mixture. Add chopped walnut pieces and fold until combined.
Chill cranberry-pineapple salad in refrigerator for 20-25 minutes to an hour to chill.
To Serve:
a) add to Texas sized muffin pan, sprayed with cooking spray, level off and set in freezer for 10 min to chill. Turn out muffin pan onto a cookie sheet, with a spatula place one at a time on bib or green lettuce leafs; or

b) Line a martini glass with leaf lettuce, add salad to 1 cup measuring cup and turn onto lettuce in glass, top with extra cranberries if desired.