Orange Cream Delight Salad Recipe

Creamy Orange Dream Salad Recipe: A Refreshing Summer Treat

Orange cream delight salad bursts with vibrant, creamy textures that dance across your palate like sunshine on a summer afternoon.

Soft, billowy clouds of marshmallow and tangy citrus intertwine to create a dessert that defies traditional salad expectations.

Sweet memories of childhood treats surface with each refreshing spoonful of this delectable creation.

Creamy elements blend seamlessly with bright, zesty undertones, promising a delightful sensory experience that surprises and delights the taste buds.

Lightweight and luxurious, this recipe crafts ordinary ingredients into an extraordinary culinary adventure that feels both nostalgic and innovative.

Smooth, velvety layers promise to elevate any gathering with their irresistible charm and unexpected combination of flavors.

Orange Cream Salad: A Refreshing, Citrus-Filled Delight

  • Burst with Citrusy Sweetness: This Orange Cream Delight Salad delivers a vibrant explosion of tangy orange flavor perfectly balanced with creamy vanilla undertones, creating a refreshing taste sensation that dances on your taste buds.
  • Effortless Crowd-Pleasing Dessert: With simple ingredients and no baking required, this recipe offers a quick and easy preparation method that transforms basic pantry staples into a delightful, impressive dessert that will wow family and friends.
  • Dreamy Creamy Texture Sensation: The combination of fluffy Cool Whip, silky pudding, and soft marshmallows creates an irresistibly light, airy texture that melts in your mouth, providing a luxurious and indulgent eating experience.
  • Perfect Summer Potluck Showstopper: Chilled and colorful, this dessert salad is ideal for picnics, barbecues, and summer gatherings, offering a cool, sweet treat that brings instant joy and brightens any social event with its vibrant orange hue and playful marshmallow bits.

Ingredients for Orange Cream Salad

Base Ingredients:
  • Orange Jell-O: Bright citrus flavor that forms the foundation of the salad, choose a high-quality brand for best taste.
  • Instant Vanilla Pudding Mix: Adds creamy texture and enhances overall sweetness, select a standard vanilla flavor.
  • Cold Water: Helps dilute and set the Jell-O mixture, use filtered water for best results.
  • Boiling Water: Essential for dissolving Jell-O completely, ensures smooth base for the salad.
Creamy and Soft Ingredients:
  • Cool Whip: Provides light, fluffy texture and creamy consistency, choose original or lite version.
  • Mini Marshmallows: Adds sweet, soft texture and playful element to the salad, use fresh marshmallows for best quality.
Fruit Component:
  • Mandarin Oranges: Brings fresh citrus flavor and bright color, drain thoroughly to prevent excess liquid in the salad.

How to Make Orange Cream Salad

Step 1: Dissolve Orange Jell-O

In a large mixing bowl, pour of boiling water over the Orange Jell-O powder. Stir the mixture vigorously until the powder completely dissolves, creating a smooth orange liquid.

Step 2: Chill Initial Mixture

Add of cold water to the dissolved Jell-O. Place the bowl in the refrigerator and let it cool for approximately 15 minutes, allowing the mixture to begin setting.

Step 3: Blend Vanilla Pudding

Remove the chilled Jell-O from the refrigerator. Slowly incorporate the Instant Vanilla Pudding mix, stirring until the mixture becomes completely smooth and consistent. Return the bowl to the refrigerator for 15 to 20 minutes to thicken.

Step 4: Fold in Creamy Ingredients

Gently fold the following ingredients into the thickened mixture:
  • Cool Whip
  • Drained Mandarin Oranges
  • Mini Marshmallows

Carefully blend the ingredients to maintain the light, fluffy texture of the Cool Whip.

Step 5: Final Chill

Transfer the salad to a serving dish and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving. This allows the dessert to set completely and develop its full flavor profile.

Serving Tip: For an extra touch, garnish with additional mandarin orange segments or a sprinkle of marshmallows just before serving.

Pro Tips for Orange Cream Salad

  • Chill Precisely: Allow the Jell-O and pudding mixture to set at the exact recommended time to achieve the perfect creamy consistency without over-setting.
  • Drain Oranges Thoroughly: Pat Mandarin oranges completely dry with paper towels to prevent excess liquid from making the salad watery.
  • Fold Gently: Use a soft spatula and light folding motion when adding Cool Whip and marshmallows to maintain the airy, delicate texture of the dessert.
  • Temperature Matters: Ensure all ingredients are cold before mixing to help the salad set quickly and maintain a smooth, uniform texture.
  • Make Ahead Wisely: Prepare this salad up to 24 hours in advance, but add marshmallows just before serving to keep them soft and prevent them from becoming tough.

Storing and Reheating Orange Cream Salad

  • Refrigerate Leftovers: Store your Orange Cream Delight Salad in an airtight container to maintain freshness. Keep the salad chilled in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days, preventing any potential bacterial growth.
  • Covering Technique: Wrap the container tightly with plastic wrap or use a sealed lid to protect the salad from absorbing other refrigerator odors. This method helps preserve the delicate texture and vibrant flavors.
  • Reheating Recommendation: Avoid reheating this dessert, as the Cool Whip and Jell-O components will lose their creamy consistency. Instead, enjoy the salad directly from the refrigerator for the best taste and texture.

Pairing Orange Cream Salad with Sweets

  • Pair with Citrus Spark: Serve this Orange Cream Delight Salad alongside a chilled glass of freshly squeezed orange juice or a light, zesty mimosa to enhance the citrusy notes and complement the dessert's bright flavor profile.
  • Match with Crisp Crunch: Accompany the salad with almond biscotti or light butter cookies that provide a delightful textural contrast to the creamy, soft marshmallow and orange elements.
  • Elevate with Creamy Companion: Enjoy a small scoop of vanilla bean ice cream or light whipped cream on the side to amplify the dessert's creamy vanilla undertones and create a luxurious dessert experience.

Orange Cream Salad Variations You’ll Enjoy

  • Tropical Citrus Fusion: Replace Mandarin Oranges with crushed pineapple and add shredded coconut for a Hawaiian-inspired version.
  • Berry Citrus Blast: Swap Orange Jell-O with strawberry flavor and mix in fresh raspberries and blueberries for a vibrant berry twist.
  • Creamy Citrus Crunch: Incorporate chopped pecans or graham cracker crumbs for added texture and nutty flavor profile.
  • Lite Sunset Swirl: Use sugar-free Jell-O and pudding mix, and replace Cool Whip with low-fat whipped topping for a healthier alternative.
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Orange Cream Delight Salad Recipe

Orange Cream Delight Salad Recipe


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4.6 from 37 reviews

  • Total Time: 20 minutes
  • Yield: 8 1x

Description

Creamy Orange Cream Delight Salad whisks zesty citrus and marshmallow magic into a nostalgic dessert dream. Cool and refreshing swirls of orange-infused goodness invite you to savor each delightful spoonful of this classic comfort treat.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 1 package of orange Jell-O
  • 1 package of instant vanilla pudding
  • 1 14 ounces (397 grams) can of drained mandarin oranges

Liquid Ingredients:

  • 1 cup of hot water
  • ½ cup of cold water

Topping and Texture Ingredients:

  • 1 8 ounces (226 grams) container of Cool Whip
  • 1 cup of mini marshmallows

Instructions

  1. Empty the Orange Jell-O powder into a spacious mixing vessel and pour of boiling water over it, stirring vigorously until the gelatin completely dissolves into a smooth, vibrant orange liquid.
  2. Introduce of cold water to the dissolved gelatin mixture, blending thoroughly, then transfer the bowl to the refrigerator and allow it to partially set for approximately 15 minutes until it reaches a slightly thickened consistency.
  3. Sprinkle the Instant Vanilla Pudding mix over the chilled Jell-O base, whisking carefully to integrate the powders without creating lumps, ensuring a silky, uniform texture throughout the mixture.
  4. Return the pudding-Jell-O blend to the refrigerator and permit it to further solidify for an additional 15 to 20 minutes, creating a creamy, semi-firm foundation for the dessert.
  5. Gently unfurl the Cool Whip into the thickened mixture, folding with a soft, sweeping motion to maintain its airy volume and prevent deflation.
  6. Delicately incorporate the drained Mandarin orange segments, distributing them evenly throughout the creamy base to ensure each serving contains a burst of citrusy brightness.
  7. Sprinkle the Mini Marshmallows across the surface, softly folding them into the mixture to create pockets of sweet, pillowy texture throughout the dessert.
  8. Transfer the completed Orange Cream Delight Salad to a serving dish, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 2 hours to allow the flavors to meld and the dessert to set completely.

Notes

  • Perfectly chills in about 30-40 minutes, creating a smooth and creamy dessert texture.
  • Mandarin oranges add a burst of fresh, tangy flavor that complements the sweet orange Jell-O base.
  • Can be prepared ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days, making it an ideal make-ahead dessert.
  • Mini marshmallows provide a delightful soft, pillowy contrast to the creamy pudding mixture.
  • Instant vanilla pudding mix helps thicken the salad and adds a rich, smooth vanilla undertone.
  • Ideal for potlucks, family gatherings, and summer parties as a refreshing and light dessert option.
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 0 minutes
  • Category: Desserts, Snacks
  • Method: Blending
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 8
  • Calories: 150 kcal
  • Sugar: 22 g
  • Sodium: 85 mg
  • Fat: 5 g
  • Saturated Fat: 3.5 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 1.5 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 25 g
  • Fiber: 0.5 g
  • Protein: 1 g
  • Cholesterol: 5 mg
Lucas Bennett

Lucas Bennett

Founder & Recipe Creator

Expertise

Simple Everyday Recipes, Sustainable Cooking Practices, Creative Meal Planning, Recipe Testing and Improvement

Education

Fox Valley Technical College, Appleton, Wisconsin

  • Degree: Associate of Applied Science in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Practical culinary training, fundamental cooking techniques, meal planning, and using fresh, local ingredients.

Lake Superior College, Duluth, Minnesota

  • Program: Certificate in Sustainable Food Systems
  • Focus: Cooking methods that promote sustainability, farm-to-table practices, and eco-friendly meal creation.

Lucas Bennett’s cooking journey started in his parents’ kitchen, where he learned to prepare tasty, no-fuss meals from scratch. His culinary passion led him to Fox Valley Technical College, where he gained practical cooking skills.
He then expanded his focus on sustainability at Lake Superior College. Today, Lucas shares easy, approachable recipes designed to make cooking enjoyable and stress-free for everyone.

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