Name: Mandarin Orange Jello Salad
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 20 min
Ingredients: 1 6 oz. package orange jell-o; 2 3 oz. packages vanilla cook & serve pudding & pie filling; 4 cups hot water; 8 oz. Cool Whip; 1 large can mandarin oranges (drained)

Mandarin Orange Jello Salad tastes like an orange Dreamsicle. Bright citrus flavor with a creamy, mousse-like texture. A sweet addition to any meal.

Today I am sharing a longtime Family Favorite recipe – Tastes Like a Dreamsicle Mandarin Orange Jello Salad. My sister-in-law (Hi Cheryl!) shared this little gem with me many years ago.

My family loves this salad. A LOT! I can’t even begin to guess how many times I’ve made it over the years.

It’s a mainstay at most of our holiday and special occasion meals. And I’ve also prepared it for countless potlucks and parties.

And sometimes I make it “just because”. You know, those times when a family member requests something ever so nicely. It’s all about keeping your people happy, right?

Tastes Like A Dreamsicle Orange Jello Salad

Should I serve it as part of the meal or as a dessert?

This question has sparked many debates. Like similar Midwestern (and Southern) dishes, this jello salad with mandarin oranges is considered a salad. Perhaps there’s less guilt associated with eating something with “salad” in the name?

But this is a sweet salad. Not to be confused with a plate-of-greens-and-veggies salad.

And it always (always!) sparks a debate as to when to serve the dish. Should you serve it as part of the meal? Or serve it as a dessert?

Traditionally we’ve served it as part of the meal. But you can be a rebel and serve it as a dessert if that’s how you want to roll.

Ingredients Needed to Make Orange Fluff Salad:

Scroll to the bottom for a printable recipe card.

You’ll need just a handful of common ingredients to prepare this recipe.

orange gelatin
cook & serve vanilla pudding
water
whipped topping
mandarin oranges

Want to make Orange Jello Salad? Pin the recipe for later.

How to Prepare Mandarin Orange Jello Salad

Combine the pudding and gelatin mixes with water & cook until clear.
Chill overnight.
Combine chilled gelatin mixture with whipped topping.
Add mandarin oranges.

* PIN ORANGE FLUFF SALAD RECIPE FOR LATER *

Tips for best results

Instant pudding mix is not recommended for this recipe.
I use a potato masher to combine the gelatin mixture & whipped topping.
You can use fresh whipped cream but keep in mind the whipped cream will break down faster than the prepared whipped topping. Leftover jello salad may separate and become watery if using fresh whipped cream.
You can add a second can of mandarin oranges to up the citrus flavor.

Looking for a way to use summer berries? Try the strawberry version of this recipe – Strawberries & Cream Salad.

Helpful tools to make the Mandarin Orange Salad with Cool Whip recipe

Sometimes the right tools can make or break your cooking experience. These are the tools I used to make quick work of the orange jello salad with cool whip recipe:

Whisk – I use this for cooking the mix. It’s the perfect size for dressings & sauces. Dishwasher safe with sealed barrel.
Prep bowls – This set is versatile enough for most kitchen tasks.
Hand held potato masher – I use this to combine the pudding mixture & Cool Whip.

I’ve shared this recipe at: Meal Plan Monday, Full Plate Thursday and Weekend Potluck.

11/17/17: Post & photos updated. 5/27/19: added new photos & updated post.

More sweet salads & sides:

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* Pin the Orange Fluff recipe for later *