Description
Cranberry jello salad brings festive cheer to holiday tables with its elegant crimson hue and refreshing blend of tart fruit and sweet gelatin. Guests will savor each spoonful of this classic side dish that perfectly balances comfort and culinary creativity.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 package cranberry jello
- 2 cups fresh cranberries
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup sugar
Support Ingredients:
- 1 cup chopped walnuts
- 1 cup diced apples
Binding/Texture Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/4 cup orange juice
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest
Instructions
- Pour water into a saucepan and combine with sugar, heating until sugar completely dissolves over medium flame.
- Add fresh cranberries to the sugar syrup and simmer for 5-7 minutes, allowing berries to soften and slightly burst.
- Remove saucepan from heat and immediately stir in cranberry jello powder, whisking until completely integrated and no dry powder remains.
- Incorporate orange juice and lemon zest into the warm mixture, stirring thoroughly to distribute flavors evenly.
- Allow the liquid mixture to cool at room temperature for approximately 20-25 minutes, ensuring it’s not hot but still liquid.
- Fold diced apples and chopped walnuts gently into the partially cooled jello mixture, distributing ingredients uniformly.
- Swirl sour cream into the mixture, creating a marbled effect without completely blending.
- Transfer the entire mixture into a serving mold or glass dish, ensuring even distribution.
- Refrigerate for minimum 4 hours or overnight, allowing jello to set completely and flavors to meld together.
- Before serving, let the salad rest at room temperature for 10 minutes to enhance flavor release and ease of serving.
Notes
- Choose cranberries at peak ripeness for the most vibrant flavor and natural sweetness.
- Adjust sugar levels based on cranberry tartness, tasting the syrup before adding jello.
- Toast walnuts briefly to enhance their nutty flavor and add extra crunch to the salad.
- Substitute dairy-free sour cream or coconut yogurt for a vegan-friendly version of the dish.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 12-15 minutes
- Category: Snacks, Desserts
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 17 g
- Sodium: 5 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 22 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 3 mg