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A vibrant Mandarin Orange Jello Salad with fresh oranges and whipped cream.

Mandarin Orange Jello Salad

A nostalgic and refreshing salad made with mandarin oranges, Cool Whip, and a creamy orange gelatin base, perfect for holiday tables and summer potlucks.
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Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Total Time 12 hours
Servings: 8 servings
Course: Dessert, Salad
Cuisine: American
Calories: 150
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Gelatin Base
  • 6 ounce 6 ounce package orange gelatin (Jell-O)
  • 6 ounce 2 (3 ounce) packages vanilla cook-and-serve pudding mix Use cook-and-serve, not instant.
  • 4 cups 4 cups hot water
For the Salad Mix
  • 8 ounces 8 ounces Cool Whip (or other whipped topping), thawed
  • 16 ounce 16 ounce can mandarin oranges, drained Reserve a tablespoon of juice for texture.

Method
 

Preparation of Gelatin Base
  1. In a large saucepan, combine the orange gelatin, pudding mix, and hot water. Stir briskly to dissolve lumps before heating.
  2. Place the saucepan over medium-high heat and bring the mixture to a boil, stirring frequently.
  3. Boil and stir for about 5 minutes until the mixture transitions to a clear, glossy orange color.
  4. Remove from heat, pour into a large bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and chill in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours or preferably overnight.
Mixing in Cool Whip and Oranges
  1. Once set, combine the Cool Whip with the gelatin mixture using a potato masher or a large spoon.
  2. Gently fold in the drained mandarin oranges and the reserved juice if using.
  3. Refrigerate until ready to serve, ideally at least 1 hour to let flavors marry.

Notes

Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days. Freezing is not recommended due to texture changes.