Description
There’s something magical about those warm summer evenings when the sun dips below the horizon, filling the air with a sweet, gentle breeze. I can still hear the laughter of friends gathered at backyard barbecues, and the vibrant colors of fresh fruit salads brightening the table. Among all the delicious dishes, my all-time favorite has always been the Orange Dreamsicle Salad. This creamy, fluffy dessert salad instantly transports me back to childhood, evoking memories of flea market finds and sunny picnics.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 packet (3 ounces) Orange Gelatin
- 1 cup Boiling Water
- ½ cup Cold Water
- 1 packet (3.4 ounces) Instant Vanilla Pudding Mix
- 1 can (15 ounces) Mandarin Oranges, drained
- 1 tub (8 ounces) Cool Whip
- 3 cups Mini Marshmallows
Instructions
- Dissolve orange gelatin in a large bowl with 1 cup of boiling water. Stir until the gelatin is fully dissolved, achieving a clear mixture, perfect for a foundation of flavor.
- Add ½ cup of cold water, the 3.4-ounce packet of instant vanilla pudding mix, and the drained mandarin oranges. Mix well until smooth and combined. The mixture should be slightly thickened at this point.
- Cool the mixture slightly at room temperature for about 10-15 minutes to speed up the chilling process and prevent the addition of Cool Whip from melting.
- Fold in the 8-ounce tub of Cool Whip gently into the mixture for a light, airy texture; then, add in the 3 cups of mini marshmallows. This step ensures each bite is fluffy and delightful!
- Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 3-4 hours, or until fully chilled and set. This allows all the flavors to meld beautifully together.
Notes
- Large Bowl Needed: Always use a very large bowl for mixing the ingredients to give them enough room to combine without spilling.
- Drain Thoroughly: Ensure you drain the mandarin oranges well before adding them to prevent a runny Orange Dreamsicle Salad that may lose its fluffiness.
- Gentle Folding: When incorporating the Cool Whip and marshmallows, fold gently to maintain the salad's light and airy texture—mixing too vigorously can lead to density.
- Chill Time Matters: Chill the salad for at least three hours or overnight if possible. This allows the flavors to meld and the texture to reach its best state!
- Marshmallow Timing: If you plan to freeze the salad, add marshmallows only after thawing to avoid altering their texture, keeping the salad delightful.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 21g
- Sodium: 60mg
- Fat: 5g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 34g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 10mg