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Cranberry Fluff

This festive dish combines fresh cranberries and pineapple with mini marshmallows in a creamy whipped base. Perfect as a holiday side or light dessert.

Featured in Vegetable and Grain Sides.

Fatiha
Updated on Sun, 05 Jan 2025 01:30:24 GMT
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A bowl of colorful fruit salad featuring cranberries, pineapple, and mini marshmallows mixed in a creamy dressing. Pin it
A bowl of colorful fruit salad featuring cranberries, pineapple, and mini marshmallows mixed in a creamy dressing. | zestplate.com

Easy Homemade Cranberry Fluff

Let me share this simple homemade cranberry fluff that's become my holiday signature dish. This easy recipe combines tart fresh cranberries sweet pineapple and fluffy marshmallows all wrapped up in a creamy dreamy mixture. It's the perfect easy side dish or dessert for your holiday table and everyone always asks for the recipe.

Why You'll Love This Easy Recipe

This simple homemade fluff is a holiday favorite because:

  • It's so easy to make with just a few simple ingredients
  • The perfect balance of tart and sweet in every bite
  • Make it ahead for stress-free holiday prep
  • Works as an easy side dish or light dessert

Easy Ingredients for Homemade Cranberry Fluff

  • Fresh Cranberries: The star of this easy recipe brings that holiday zip.
  • Granulated Sugar: Sweetens up those tart cranberries perfectly.
  • Cream Cheese: Makes our homemade fluff extra creamy.
  • Heavy Whipping Cream: Whips up into clouds of fluffiness.
  • Crushed Pineapple: Adds sweet tropical flavor to this simple recipe.
  • Mini Marshmallows: Creates that classic fluffy texture.

Easy Step-by-Step Instructions

Simple Cranberry Prep
Pulse those cranberries with sugar in your food processor. This easy step gets them just right not too chunky not too fine.
Make the Easy Cream Base
Beat your cream cheese until smooth then whip in the cream sugar and vanilla. This homemade mixture should be nice and fluffy.
Simple Assembly
Gently fold in your cranberries drained pineapple and those fluffy marshmallows. This easy mixing brings it all together.
Quick Chill
Pop your homemade fluff in the fridge for at least 2 hours letting all those flavors get friendly.

Tips for Easy Success

  • Simple Sweetening: Let those cranberries hang out with the sugar they'll get sweeter.
  • Easy Alternative: Frozen cranberries work great just thaw and drain them well.
  • Simple Addition: Toss in some chopped nuts for extra crunch.
  • Quick Shortcut: Cool Whip works in a pinch for this easy recipe.
A bowl of fluffy pink salad made with cranberries and topped with mini marshmallows. Pin it
A bowl of fluffy pink salad made with cranberries and topped with mini marshmallows. | zestplate.com

Easy Make Ahead and Storage

  • This simple recipe can be made 2 days ahead just keep it covered in the fridge.
  • Your homemade fluff will stay fresh in the fridge for 3 days but avoid freezing it.

A Simple Holiday Classic

This easy homemade cranberry fluff brings together sweet tart and creamy in every spoonful. It's become such a holiday tradition in my family that it wouldn't feel like Thanksgiving or Christmas without it. This simple recipe is guaranteed to become a favorite at your holiday gatherings too.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Why process cranberries with sugar?

Helps break down cranberries and balances their tartness.

→ Can I make this ahead?

Yes, can be made up to 24 hours ahead and refrigerated.

→ Why whip to stiff peaks?

Creates light, fluffy texture that holds up when mixed.

→ Can I use frozen cranberries?

Fresh work best but frozen can be used if thawed and drained.

→ Why drain pineapple?

Excess liquid can make mixture too runny.

Cranberry Fluff Recipe

A sweet and creamy holiday side dish combining fresh cranberries, pineapple, and marshmallows in a whipped cream cheese base.

Prep Time
10 Minutes
Cook Time
~
Total Time
10 Minutes
By: Fatiha

Category: Side Dishes

Difficulty: Easy

Cuisine: American

Yield: 8 Servings (1 dish)

Dietary: Vegetarian, Gluten-Free

Ingredients

01 12 oz fresh cranberries.
02 3/4 cup granulated sugar.
03 8 oz cream cheese, softened.
04 2 cups heavy whipping cream.
05 3/4 cup powdered sugar.
06 1 teaspoon vanilla.
07 8 oz crushed pineapple, drained.
08 2 cups mini marshmallows.

Instructions

Step 01

Place fresh cranberries and granulated sugar in food processor bowl until ready to process.

Step 02

Pulse cranberry mixture until berries are very finely chopped but not completely pureed.

Step 03

Remove processed cranberries from food processor and set aside to allow sugar to blend.

Step 04

Beat softened cream cheese in large bowl until completely smooth with no lumps.

Step 05

Add heavy cream, powdered sugar and vanilla to cream cheese mixture.

Step 06

Whip cream mixture on high speed until stiff peaks form, being careful not to overbeat.

Step 07

Gently fold chopped cranberry mixture into whipped cream base until evenly distributed.

Step 08

Add well-drained crushed pineapple and fold until completely incorporated.

Step 09

Carefully fold in mini marshmallows without deflating the whipped mixture.

Step 10

Transfer completed mixture to serving bowl or storage container.

Step 11

Cover tightly with plastic wrap or lid to prevent absorbing refrigerator odors.

Step 12

Refrigerate minimum 3 hours or overnight to allow flavors to develop.

Step 13

Stir gently before serving to redistribute ingredients.

Step 14

Serve chilled as a side dish or light dessert.

Step 15

Store any leftovers covered in refrigerator.

Notes

  1. Make ahead friendly.
  2. Perfect holiday dish.
  3. No cooking required.
  4. Serves crowd.

Tools You'll Need

  • Food processor.
  • Large mixing bowl.
  • Electric mixer.

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Dairy (cream cheese, cream).

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 496
  • Total Fat: 32 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 53 g
  • Protein: 3 g