A creamy, old-fashioned gelatin salad of Bing cherries, crushed pineapple, and toasted pecans set in a fluffy cream cheese and cherry Jell-O base — a nostalgic Southern classic perfect for potlucks and holiday tables.
Servings
9
Prep time
15 min
Cook time
5 min
Chill time
6–8 hrs
Ingredients — 9 servings
| Ingredient | Quantity | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| Canned pitted Bing cherries, drained (juice reserved) | 16.5 | oz |
| Canned crushed pineapple, drained (juice reserved) | 15 | oz |
| Cherry Jell-O gelatin | 6 | oz |
| Cream cheese | 3 | oz |
| Cola-flavored carbonated beverage | 6 | fl oz |
| Pecans, chopped | 1 | cup |
Directions
1
Make the gelatin base. Combine the reserved cherry juice and pineapple juice in a small saucepan to make 1 cup total. Bring to a boil over medium heat. Remove from the heat, add the cherry gelatin powder, and whisk until completely dissolved. Add the cream cheese and whisk vigorously until the mixture is perfectly smooth with no lumps.
2
Add the cola and fruit. Pour in the cola and beat until the mixture turns light and fluffy. Gently fold in the drained cherries, crushed pineapple, and chopped pecans until evenly distributed.
3
Set and serve. Pour into a mold, a 9x9-inch dish, or individual cups. Refrigerate for 6 to 8 hours, or overnight, until completely firm. Unmold or slice and serve chilled.
Cook's notes
Soften the cream cheese first
Room-temperature cream cheese whisks into the hot gelatin mixture far more smoothly than cold. Take it out of the fridge 30 minutes before you start — it will dissolve into the liquid without leaving white streaks or lumps in the finished salad.
The cola adds lightness
The carbonation in the cola aerates the gelatin mixture as you beat it, giving the finished salad a slightly fluffy, mousse-like texture rather than a dense jelly. Use a regular cola rather than diet — the sugar helps the texture and flavour balance.
Make it ahead
This salad is ideal for making a day in advance — it only gets firmer and more sliceable overnight. Cover tightly with plastic wrap once set and it keeps well in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Nutrition per serving
| Nutrient | Amount | Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Calories | — | Saturated fat | — |
| Protein | — | Cholesterol | — |
| Total carbohydrate | — | Sodium | — |
| Dietary fiber | — | Calcium | — |
| Total sugars | — | Vitamin C | — |
| Total fat | — | Potassium | — |
Tags:
DESSERTS