This retro vegan jello salad recipe is a light and bright fluffy dessert that just might remind you of childhood. A mildly sweet dish for holidays, potlucks, anytime!
recipe originally published March 23, 2017
Vegan Jello Salad Recipe
This "salad" was a holiday staple when I was a kid - gracing every Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner table. While it is sweet, and definitely a dessert, this was not our dessert. (I now mix it up with different flavors at the holidays, like our Cranberry Fluff Jello Salad.
This was served with dinner - dessert happened several hours later, right? That is still how things are - dessert happens about the time cocktails and rummy card decks make an appearance...
In our family, this Retro Jello Salad recipe goes way back to my Grandma Edie. Okay, my grandma's jello salad was always lime. I changed the flavor this time for a couple reasons - one, I wanted a bright and sunny orange flavor, and two, I cannot find a vegan gelatin substitute in lime flavor.
Other than the jello flavor, everything else is essentially the same. Well, a vegan version of the same.
see also: Cranberry Fluff Jello Salad
Vegan Holiday Recipe
This bright springtime version would be great for Easter brunch or any spring time brunches and parties. I'd say it will go all through summer, if you're needing a potluck style dessert.
The vegan jello substitute I use has a peach flavor too - that would be perfect to pair with fresh juicy summer peaches...
I have shared this before - several years ago I made Piña Colada Cheesecake Bars with a Pretzel Shortbread Crust.
We typically serve this "salad" in bowls as is, but spreading the salad mixture over a crust and cutting it into bars is another great way to serve this. It still requires a fork, but...
tastes like childhood.
Retro Jello Salad
Retro Jello Salad - a light and bright fluffy dessert that just might remind you of childhood. a mildly sweet dish for holidays, potlucks, anytime!
Ingredients
- 1 cup dairy free milk
- 2 cups mini vegan marshmallows
- 1 3 ounce package Gelatin Free Dessert, orange or lime flavor
- 1 8 ounce can crushed pineapple, drained
- 8 ounces vegan cream cheese
- 3 cups CocoWhip, or 1 cup coconut cream, whipped
Instructions
- In saucepan over medium heat, add milk and marshmallows. Stir until marshmallows are mostly melted. Remove from heat.
- Add gel powder, stir until completely dissolved.
- Fold in drained pineapple, spoon cream cheese into mixture in small spoonfuls - stir to break up somewhat.
- Cover and transfer to refrigerator to set half way - about 20 - 30 minutes.
- Fold in CocoWhip / whipped coconut cream.
- Transfer to 8x8 baking dish or similar.
- Cover and return to refrigerator to set, several hours to overnight.
Notes
dairy, egg, and gluten free, vegan
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Nutrition Information:
Yield:
12Serving Size:
1 cupAmount Per Serving: Calories: 158Total Fat: 10gSaturated Fat: 7gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 29mgCarbohydrates: 15gFiber: 0gSugar: 14gProtein: 4g
nutrition calculations results vary by calculator, are for informational purposes only, and are not intended to replace medical advice or treatment.
about Kristina:
Kristina is spabettie! She found cooking at an early age, and created spabettie in 2010 to share vegan recipes. Kristina turned her culinary training into sharing vibrant vegan food! Read more...
spabettie / Kristina Sloggett is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.
Esther R. says
I made this today, and it is absolutely delicious! Just like the "salads" I ate while growing up. Now my family can try this treat! Thank you for the recipe!
Kristina Sloggett says
you are so welcome, thanks for letting me know! I grew up with this "salad" too, so fun to revisit! 🙂
Bridget says
I can't wait to try this recipe. Can I leave out the dairy-free cream cheese? I haven't found a brand of DF cream cheese that I like, yet.
Kristina Sloggett says
oh you absolutely can leave it out, Bridget - the fluffy goodness will not change! 🙂 enjoy!
Bridget says
Terrific!
Amy Katz from Veggies Save The Day says
I haven't had a jello salad in years, and I can't wait to try yours! I love that you added pineapple.
Hannah says
Oh man, I have a great aunt who used to make a salad like this, and I LOVED it. I've never seen a vegan version, though! I'm going to have to veganize her recipe. Thank you for the inspiration!
Becky Striepe says
Oh my gosh, this looks so perfect for Easter lunch! Dave's mom always does a jello salad, and this is the first year where I think my son might feel left out not having it.
Kelsie | the itsy-bitsy kitchen says
This is so fun! I love reading about other people's family recipes; you know they're good when they're a family tradition 🙂