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This orange creamsicle salad is light, fluffy, and tastes just like the classic popsicle! It’s packed with juicy mandarin oranges, creamy vanilla pudding, whipped topping, and mini marshmallows for a cool, nostalgic dessert that’s perfect for potlucks, picnics, or anytime you’re craving a quick, no-bake treat.
What Is Orange Fluff Salad?
Fluff salad is a sweet, creamy, old-fashioned, no-bake dessert made with whipped topping (like Cool Whip), instant vanilla pudding mix, orange Jello, mandarin oranges, and mini marshmallows. It’s mixed together into a light, fluffy “salad” that tastes just like an orange creamsicle popsicle. Despite the name, it’s more of a dessert than a traditional salad and is super popular at potlucks, picnics, holidays, and summer parties.
Ingredients for Orange Creamsicle Salad
- Orange flavored gelatin: Feel free to try this recipe with different jello flavors, like strawberry jello or cherry jello (try my Strawberry Fluff or Cherry Fluff). Make sure to switch out the fruit to match the jello mix.
- Instant vanilla pudding mix: I love the taste of vanilla pudding in this recipe, but lemon, cheesecake (like my Easter Fruit Fluff), or even white chocolate would taste delicious too.
- Boiling water
- Cold water
- Whipped topping: Use a tub of store-bought Cool Whip or make your own whipped cream.
- Canned Mandarin oranges: When adding canned fruit, make sure to drain it thoroughly to avoid excess liquid in your orange jello salad. Too much liquid can make it watery.
- Mini marshmallows: While I used white mini marshmallows, you can use the multicolored ones for some extra flair and fun flavor.
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
How to Make Orange Creamsicle Salad
- Make the Jello: In a large bowl, stir together the orange jello and boiling water until the powdered mix is completely dissolved. Pour in the cold water, stir, and chill in the fridge for 15 minutes. (You want to make sure the jello is at least cooled to room temperature before proceeding)
- Make the Pudding Mixture: Whisk the pudding powder into the cooled jello until completely incorporated. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 20 minutes.
- Fold In The Fluff: Fold in the whipped topping, drained mandarin oranges, and mini marshmallows. Chill for 2 hours or overnight.
- Serve: Garnish with mandarin oranges and mini marshmallows. Serve cold and enjoy!
Tips & Variations
- Fold the Fluff: To keep the fluff salad light and airy, fold gently and avoid overmixing.
- Serving Suggestion: For the best flavor and texture, refrigerate the salad for at least 2-3 hours before serving. This allows the flavors to develop fully and the salad to firm up.
- Cut The Calories: Use sugar-free whipped topping or sugar-free pudding for a lighter version.
- Create Crunch: To complement the sweetness of the fluff, mix in chopped pecans, walnuts, or slivered almonds for crunch and extra flavor.
How to Store Orange Creamsicle Salad
- In The Refrigerator: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- In The Freezer: You can freeze orange creamsicle salad for about 3 months. Keep in mind that the texture will change once thawed. For best results, make it fresh!
- Make Ahead: This fluffy orange salad is perfect to prepare the day before your event—just cover and refrigerate it to allow the flavors to meld.
More Easy Dessert Salad Recipes
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Orange Creamsicle Salad
Serves — 6
Orange Creamsicle Salad is the perfect addition to a summer picnic or potluck. This fluffy jello salad is filled with tangy orange flavor, light whipped topping, mini marshmallows, and mandarin oranges.
Prep Time 35 minutes
Chill Time 2 hours
Total Time 2 hours 35 minutes
Video
Ingredients
- 1 3-ounce box orange flavored gelatin
- 1 3.4 ounce box vanilla instant pudding
- 1 cup boiling water
- ½ cup cold water
- 8 ounce tub whipped topping thawed
- 1 28-ounce can mandarin oranges drained (reserve 8 – 10 for garnish)
- 2 cups mini marshmallows
- ¼ cup mini marshmallows (optional garnish)
Instructions
- Using a medium size heat safe bowl, stir together the orange flavored gelatin and boiling water. Stir until the gelatin is completely dissolved.1 3-ounce box orange flavored gelatin, 1 cup boiling water
- Stir in the cold water. Place in the refrigerator for 15 minutes. (bring to at least room temperature)½ cup cold water
- Remove the cooled gelatin from the refrigerator, and whisk in the vanilla instant pudding until completely incorporated. Cover the bowl and return to the refrigerator for 20 minutes.1 3.4 ounce box vanilla instant pudding
- Remove the bowl from the refrigerator. Fold in the whipped topping, drained mandarin oranges and mini marshmallows. Return to the refrigerator and chill for 2 hours or overnight.8 ounce tub whipped topping, 1 28-ounce can mandarin oranges, 2 cups mini marshmallows
- Just before serving, garnish with the reserved mandarin oranges and mini marshmallows.¼ cup mini marshmallows
Jenn’s Notes
Storage:
Any leftovers tightly covered for up to 3 days. You can freeze Orange Fluff and it will keep for about 3 months. Be aware that the texture of the marshmallows won’t be the same once they’ve thawed out. Since this is such an easy recipe to make, it’s best to make it fresh.
Important Notes:
- You can use less oranges and mini marshmallows than the recipe calls for, but it may seem a bit unbalanced.
- If you have leftover orange fluff, you can use it to make creamsicle style popsicles, by placing the leftovers into a popsicle mold. You can also spread it in a baking dish and scoop it up like ice cream, once it freezes. It’s delicious this way!
Nutrition Info
Calories: 329kcal | Carbohydrates: 70g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 1mg | Sodium: 216mg | Potassium: 263mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 59g | Vitamin A: 929IU | Vitamin C: 35mg | Calcium: 79mg | Iron: 1mg
I tried it. Everyone thought it was delicious. I think I would cut the mandarin oranges in half and maybe use fresh instead of canned. For the nutrition facts- what is a serving size.
What size dish to finish it in???????
You can serve it in any size bowl
Do you put lid on after adding everything and put back in refrigerator?
Give more specific times for cooling. Like,how long do i return the jello pudding mixture into the refrigerator for? That would be super helpful. Right now, I’m stuck guessing.