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Home » Dessert Recipes » Old Fashioned Pink Salad Recipe

Old Fashioned Pink Salad Recipe

Published: Apr 8, 2019 · Modified: May 20, 2024 by Arlene Mobley · This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

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Aunt Mary's Pink Salad recipe is made with gelatin, cream cheese, pineapple, cherries, and cool whip. This pink salad is an old fashioned recipe you have got to try!

You might be familiar with a similar recipe called Pink Fluff that is slightly similar to this old fashioned Pink Salad recipe from my mother-in-laws Aunt Mary.

an above and side view of old fashioned pink salad dessert recipe made with maraschino cherries and gelatin

What is Pink Salad recipe?

Aunt Mary's Pink Salad recipe has been around since the early '70s as far as we know.

At least that is when Aunt Mary shared her recipe with the family.

This Pink Salad recipe may be older than that.

I didn't get a chance to look through all of the old family cookbooks my mother-in-law passed down to me. If I find it I will add the info to this post.

scan of a vintage recipe card for Pink Salad
A scan of Aunt Mary's Pink Salad recipe card

This Pink Salad recipe looks very similar to the Pink Fluff Salad you may be more familiar with. Fluff salads have been around forever. Lemon Fluff Salad is a lemon flavored version that would be a perfect summer version to try.

Pink Fluff Salad uses canned cherry pie filling and sweetened condensed milk.

Aunt Mary's Pink Salad recipe uses maraschino cherries, an envelope of gelatine, cream cheese, crushed pineapple, and cool whip topping.

a trifle bowl filled with the pink and white layers of Pink Salad, Cool Whip and maraschino cherries.

This Pink Salad can be made soft and fluffy or frozen. I decided to make Aunt Mary's Pink Salad frozen this time.

It is so hot here already and it is really hard to photograph fluffy salads or any desserts with whipped cream in them before it starts to melt.

The grandkids were here this weekend. They are the best taste testers I could ever have.

They loved Aunt Mary's Pink Salad recipe.

Looks like I will be making it again in a couple of weeks at our Easter Dinner.

Pink Salad recipe made with maraschino cherries topped with Cool Whip and served on a vintage floral dessert dish.

When To Serve Pink Salad recipe

The Pink Salad recipe is a perfect Easter recipe, Spring recipe or is perfect for a girl baby shower.

You can serve the Pink Salad any time of the year.

Overhead photo of the top of Pink Salad recipe showing a ring of whipped cream flowers with a maraschino cherry in each center

How To Make Aunt Mary's Pink Salad Recipe

Ingredients

  • one envelope Knox gelatin
  • ¼ cup cold water
  • 20 oz can crushed pineapple, undrained
  • ½ cup sugar
  • 8 oz cream cheese, cut into pieces, room temp
  • 16 oz jar maraschino cherries and juice (do not discard the juice), (put a couple aside if you would like to use them as a garnish.)
  • 8 oz container Cool Whip topping (another 8 oz container for topping if using)

Directions

  1. Mix cold water with gelatin and whisk until lump free. Set aside.
  2. Pour the crushed pineapple and juice into at least a 4-quart pot.
  3. Add the sugar and stir to combine. Bring pineapple and sugar to a boil.
  4. Once boiling pour the dissolved gelatin into the pot a stir into the pineapple until lump free.
  5. Remove the pot from the stove and using a hand mixer carefully beat the cream cheese into the pineapple until lump free.
  6. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate an hour or until cooled and thickened.
  7. Drain the cherries into a bowl reserving the juice. Roughly chop the cherries.
  8. Remove the cooled pot from the refrigerator.
  9. Stir the chopped cherries and the reserved cherry juice into the cooled ingredients in the pot.
  10. Fold the Cool Whip into the mixture. Transfer the ingredients to a 9 x 13-inch baking dish.
  11. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate at least 4 hours before serving. Overnight is best.
  12. Optional: Spread an 8 oz container of Cool Whip over the top and garnish with whole cherries.
  13. Makes 12 servings.
  14. If serving the Pink Salad frozen remove it from the freezer about 20 minutes before serving so it can soften enough to easily serve.
overhead and side view of old fashioned pink salad dessert recipe made with maraschino cherries and gelatin

Pink Fluffy Salads as a side dish or a dessert recipe?

Do you like to serve these old fashioned fluffy salad recipes as a side dish with your main course or as a dessert recipe?

Aunt Mary's Pink Salad recipe is another old family recipe from my mother-in-law.

Aunt Mary is her actual Aunt and Aunt Mary would bring a big bowl of this Pink Salad recipe to family get-togethers.

My mother-in-law has a green salad recipe she brings to all of our family meals which also came from Aunt Mary and we serve it alongside our main meal.

My MIL does not like cherries.

She prefers the green JELL-O salad and another one that is made with tangerine JELL-O.

It looks like the tangerine JELL-O has been discontinued so we have not had the tangerine salad in a very long time.

Other Old Fashioned Recipes perfect for the Spring and Summer holidays

Scroll down to the bottom of this post to check out some of my other old fashioned dessert recipes.

Email questions or recipe requests to flouronmyface@gmail.com. Follow me on Pinterest, YouTube, Instagram and Facebook.

Pink Salad recipe made with maraschino cherries topped with Cool Whip and served on a vintage floral dessert dish.

Pink Salad Recipe

Arlene Mobley - Flour On My Face
Only 15 minutes to make this old fashioned Pink Salad recipe is served as a side dish or dessert recipe. Unlike the Pink Fluff recipe, this Pink Salad recipe is made with gelatin, maraschino cherries, cream cheese, and cool whip topping. It can be served fluffy or frozen for a brightly colored holiday recipe.
5 from 14 votes
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Prep Time 10 minutes mins
Cook Time 5 minutes mins
0 minutes mins
Total Time 15 minutes mins
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 12 Servings
Calories 232 kcal

Ingredients  

  • 1 envelope Knox gelatin
  • ¼ cup cold water
  • 20 oz can crushed pineapple (undrained)
  • ½ cup sugar
  • 8 oz cream cheese (cut into pieces, room temp)
  • 16 oz jar maraschino cherries and juice (do not discard the juice, (put a couple aside if you would like to use them as a garnish.))
  • 8 oz container Cool Whip topping (another 8 oz container for topping if using)
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Instructions 

  • Mix cold water with gelatin and whisk until lump free. Set aside.
  • Pour the crushed pineapple and juice into at least a 4-quart pot.
  • Add the sugar and stir to combine. Bring pineapple and sugar to a boil.
  • Once boiling pour the dissolved gelatin into the pot a stir into the pineapple until lump free.
  • Remove the pot from the stove and using a hand mixer carefully beat the cream cheese into the pineapple until lump free.
  • Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate an hour or until cooled and thickened.
  • Drain the cherries into a bowl reserving the juice. Roughly chop the cherries.
  • Remove the cooled pot from the refrigerator. Stir the chopped cherries and the reserved cherry juice into the cooled ingredients in the pot.
  • Fold the Cool Whip into the mixture. Transfer the ingredients to a 9 x 13-inch baking dish.
  • Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate at least 4 hours before serving. Overnight is best.
  • Optional: Spread an 8 oz container of Cool Whip over the top and garnish with whole cherries.
  • Makes 12 servings.

Video

Recipe Expert Tips

  • If serving the Pink Salad frozen remove it from the freezer about 20 minutes before serving so it can soften enough to easily serve.

Nutrition

Serving: 1ServingCalories: 232kcalCarbohydrates: 37gProtein: 3gFat: 9gSaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 21mgSodium: 78mgPotassium: 112mgFiber: 2gSugar: 35gVitamin A: 308IUVitamin C: 4mgCalcium: 60mgIron: 1mg
Tried this recipe?Share a picture on Instagram and tag @flouronmyface2

Old Fashioned Million Dollar Pie Recipe

The Million Dollar Pie recipe is another favorite old fashioned dessert recipe perfect for Easter dessert.

Old Fashioned Million Dollar Pie recipe on a floral vintage dessert plate with pink cloth napkins and vintage silverware.

Old Fashioned Watergate Salad Recipe

The Watergate Salad Recipe is made with pistachio pudding mix, crushed pineapple, cool whip, mini marshmallows, and nuts. and is traditionally served at Easter time.

Old Fashioned Watergate Salad recipe is the perfect fluffy green dessert recipe from your grandmother

Million Dollar Pound Cake Recipe

The Million Dollar Pound Cake recipe is rich and buttery. Top it with fresh berries and whipped cream.

Million Dollar Pound Cake recipe served on a cake platter with fresh berries.

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About Arlene Mobley

Arlene Mobley author of Flour On My Face-a Food & Lifestyle website helping busy families get dinner on the table by serving easy recipes every week.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Kim-madeinaday

    April 27, 2019 at 1:51 pm

    5 stars
    This pie looks amazing! Family recipes are usually the best! Thanks for the recipe! Sharing! Thank you for sharing on Merry Monday! We hope you will join us again next week!
    Kim

    Reply
  2. Marisa F. Stewart

    April 13, 2019 at 11:42 am

    5 stars
    I fondly remember all of these whipped Jello salads. My gosh! It wouldn't have been picnic or family gathering if there hadn't been a Jello salad. I can see this pink one at several gatherings coming up this summer. I'll be saving the recipe.

    Reply
  3. Lois Christensen

    April 13, 2019 at 8:51 am

    5 stars
    I grew up having salads like this every Sunday! Looks so yummy and pretty! Love your aunt's recipe card too. Such a great memory.

    Reply
  4. Veena Azmanov

    April 12, 2019 at 3:36 pm

    5 stars
    This is so perfect, colorful and looks delicious too. Would love to try this recipe. I am drooling.

    Reply
  5. Jolina

    April 11, 2019 at 12:17 pm

    5 stars
    I love old family recipes like this! Brings you back to simpler times eh? This pink salad looks so refreshing and fun to serve for Easter.

    Reply
    • Arlene Mobley

      April 14, 2019 at 10:25 am

      5 stars
      Yes old family recipes can really stand the test of time. Still so good after all these years.

      Reply
  6. Denise

    April 11, 2019 at 9:25 am

    5 stars
    That looks so yummy! I was just thinking about a recipe like this yesterday. I think it's the spring weather that has me craving cool, sweet desserts like this.

    Reply
    • Arlene Mobley

      April 11, 2019 at 11:56 am

      5 stars
      Easter is a perfect time for a recipe like this!

      Reply
  7. Gloria | Homemade & Yummy

    April 10, 2019 at 5:01 pm

    5 stars
    It has been AGES since I had this salad. It sure does bring back some childhood memories. Love the colour, and it is super easy to make too. Perfect to take along to a party.

    Reply
    • Arlene Mobley

      April 11, 2019 at 11:55 am

      5 stars
      It is the perfect color for Easter for sure.

      Reply
  8. PT

    April 08, 2019 at 9:29 am

    My son does not like cherries but I love this, so I am wondering if it could be made using diced peaches. Both my son and my 90 y/o Dad love peaches and I may try this recipe using that fruit for a change. Thanks!!!

    Reply
    • Arlene Mobley

      April 08, 2019 at 1:04 pm

      5 stars
      PT this would be amazing made with peaches but it won't be a pretty pink color. The color comes from the cherry juice.

      Reply
5 from 14 votes (3 ratings without comment)

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Hi, I'm Arlene Mobley the cook & photographer here at Flour On My Face. I have been cooking for my family for over 40 years. I love sharing recipes to help busy families get dinner on the table.

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