Description

This Cranberry Fluff is a delightful, creamy, and tangy dessert perfect for holiday gatherings or any festive occasion. Combining fresh cranberries, cream cheese, and whipped cream with a hint of orange zest and sweet mini marshmallows, this refreshing treat offers a balance of tart and sweet flavors with a light, airy texture. It’s served chilled, making it an ideal make-ahead dessert that pairs wonderfully with cookies, pretzels, or fresh fruit for dipping.

Ingredients

Scale

Fruit and Flavorings

12 ounces fresh or frozen cranberries
1 tablespoon orange zest
8 ounces crushed pineapple, drained

Sweeteners

1 cup granulated sugar, divided (1/2 cup and 1/2 cup)

Dairy and Cream

4 ounces cream cheese, softened
1 cup heavy cream

Extras

1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups mini marshmallows

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Instructions

Prepare Cranberries: Rinse the cranberries thoroughly and discard any that are soft or bruised to ensure freshness and texture.
Chop Cranberries: Place the cranberries in a food processor or blender and pulse just until they are finely chopped, being careful not to puree them to maintain some texture.
Macerate Cranberries: In a bowl, sprinkle 1/2 cup of sugar and the orange zest over the chopped cranberries. Toss everything to coat evenly, then cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to allow flavors to meld and sugar to dissolve.
Prepare Cream Cheese Mixture: In a separate bowl, beat the softened cream cheese with the remaining 1/2 cup sugar until the mixture is smooth and fluffy, creating a creamy base.
Whip Cream: Gradually add the heavy cream and vanilla extract to the cream cheese mixture while beating continuously until stiff peaks form, giving the fluff its light and airy texture.
Combine Ingredients: In a large bowl, fold together the chilled cranberry mixture, drained crushed pineapple, and the whipped cream cheese mixture until well blended.
Add Marshmallows: Gently fold in the mini marshmallows to incorporate them evenly without deflating the fluff.
Chill and Serve: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1 hour before serving to set the texture and enhance the flavors. Serve chilled alongside cookies, pretzels, or fresh fruit for dipping.

Notes

Use fresh cranberries if possible for the best texture; frozen can be used but make sure to thaw and drain excess moisture.
Adjust sugar to taste depending on your preference for sweetness or tartness.
This dessert can be made a day ahead and stored covered in the refrigerator.
For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with whipped topping, though the texture will be slightly different.
Ensure cream cheese is softened to avoid lumps when mixing.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: No-Cook
Cuisine: American