This post may contain affiliate links. Please see disclosure form more information.

This is the easiest cranberry fluff recipe ever! Just combine cranberry sauce, Cool Whip, crushed pineapple and mini marshmallows for an easy Thanksgiving side dish everyone loves.

Cranberry fluff is one of the easiest holiday side dishes you will ever make. You just mix everything together. Some people call this easy recipe cranberry fluff salad, but this retro recipe is really more of a dessert salad.

Made with whipped topping and marshmallows, creamy cranberry salad is light fluffy and kid friendly. It’s actually very popular with adults, too, and always one of the first dishes to go! Love cranberry recipes? Try my cranberry bites or cranberry dip or cranberry jello salad next!

Why you’ll love this family favorite recipe!

This festive side dish is made with just 4 ingredients and comes together in minutes, with almost no prep and no cooking or baking.

It’s not too sweet and not too tart, plus it’s easy to make and easy to transport.

Best of all, it’s absolutely delicious and picky eater approved!

Cool Whip, can crushed pineapple, canned cranberries, marshmallows.

Ingredient Notes

Here’s what you need to make this cranberry fluff salad recipe. Full amounts are listed in the printable recipe card below.

Whole berry cranberry sauce — I use a can instead of fresh cranberries because we’re keeping it easy. The jellied kind doesn’t work as well here.
Crushed Pineapple — Look for the kind with pineapple juice and without added sugar.
Whipped topping — I use Cool Whip, but any brand is fine. Just make sure it is thawed before using. Whipped cream does not hold up as well.
Mini Marshmallows

How to Make Cranberry Fluff

Make sure to drain the canned pineapple. Then add it to a large bowl, along with the cranberry sauce. Mix the Cool Whip into the cranberry mixture, then add in the miniature marshmallows. That’s it! Just place it in the refrigerator until ready to eat.

pineapple and cranberry sauce in mixing bowl.

Storage

Store this fluff salad covered with plastic wrap or in an airtight container in your fridge. It keeps for 3-4 days. I don’t recommend freezing it as the whipped topping will separate when thawed.

More Holiday Dessert Salads

We always have at least one dessert salad on the menu for Thanksgiving and Christmas. If you don’t like the taste of cranberries, try this similar cherry fluff or marshmallow salad. Strawberry Jello fruit salad and Orange Jello fruit salad or pistachio salad or Snicker apple salad are more family favorites.

cranberry fluff with cool whip and marshmallows.

Save Pin Print

5 from 1 vote