Orange Creamsicle Salad is the perfect addition to a summer picnic or potluck. This fluffy jello salad is filled with tangy orange flavor, light whipped topping, mini marshmallows, and mandarin oranges.
Fluffy Orange Salad
We are huge fans of potlucks and group dinners in our family. It’s so fun when everyone brings a dish to pass! There are always new recipes that are so delicious, but there are a few classics that are a must have at every potluck. This Orange Creamsicle Salad, sometimes called Orange Fluff, is definitely one of those!
The mixture of tangy orange jello with fluffy whipped topping makes for a light and creamy dessert that’s so delicious. Don’t forget the mandarin oranges and mini marshmallows for the final touch. It tastes just like the classic dreamsicle ice cream treat that we all loved as kids!
Why We Love This Recipe
- Quick and easy to make
- 35 minute prep time
- Only 5 ingredients needed
- No-bake dessert
- Orange flavored dessert recipe
- Perfect potluck dish to pass
- Light and creamy
Ingredients/Shopping List
- 3 ounce box orange flavored gelatin
- 3.4 ounce box vanilla instant pudding
- 1 cup boiling water
- ½ cup cold water
- 8 ounce tub whipped topping, thawed
- 28 ounce mandarin oranges, drained (reserve 8 – 10 for garnish)
- 2 cups mini marshmallows
- ¼ cup mini marshmallows (optional garnish)
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How to Make the Orange Creamsicle Salad Recipe
This recipe will come together in just 5 simple steps. You will only need about 35 minutes prep and 2 hours chilling for your orange dessert to be ready to be enjoyed. It really doesn’t get much easier than this jello salad!
Mix orange gelatin and boiling water until dissolved. Stir in the cold water and cool gelatin in the fridge.
Whisk in the vanilla pudding mix.
Cover and return to the refrigerator.
Fold in the whipped topping, mandarin oranges, and mini marshmallows.
Pro-tip: You can use less oranges and mini marshmallows than the recipe calls for, but it may seem a bit unbalanced.
Chill for 2 hours or overnight.
Pro-tip: If you have leftover orange fluff, you can use it to make creamsicle style popsicles, by placing the leftovers into a popsicle mold. You can also spread it in a baking dish and scoop it up like ice cream, once it freezes. It’s delicious this way!
Variations / Options / Add-ins
- JELLO: This recipe can be adapted to any flavor of gelatin or pudding, but if you are going for an Orange Creamsicle taste…you will want to use orange flavored jello).
- FRUIT: If you are switching up the jello flavor, you may also want to switch up the fruit. Cherries and pineapple are two great options for additions to this dessert salad!
- WHIPPED TOPPING: You can use fat-free or low-fat Cool Whip for this recipe.
- MARSHMALLOWS: If you’re making this for the kiddos, it’s fun to use the colorful pack of mini marshmallows to add some excitement to the salad.
- NUTS: You can also add ½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans to the recipe.
Frequently Asked Questions
Any leftovers tightly covered for up to 3 days. You can freeze and it will keep for about 3 months. Be aware that the texture of the marshmallows won’t be the same once they’ve thawed out. Since this is such an easy recipe to make, it’s best to make it fresh.
Yes! This fluffy orange salad can definitely be made ahead of when you need it. In fact, it’s almost better when it is made in advance and left to chill in the fridge overnight, that way the marshmallows can soften up a bit.
This fluffy salad can be adapted to any flavor of gelatin or pudding; growing up in the ’70s, we had this dish every potluck, funeral dinner, and holiday, in a variety of colors and flavors. It’s especially delicious with lime or cherry flavored jello! If you’re switching up the jello flavor, you may also want to change up the fruit that you include.
Other Easy Salad Recipes
Watergate Salad | Strawberry Pretzel Salad | Easy Cucumber Salad | Fruit Salad Recipe | Caprese Pasta Salad | Watermelon Salad | Cherry Fluff | Berry Cheesecake Salad
More Favorites from Princess Pinky Girl
Orange Creamsicle Salad
Video
Ingredients
- 1 3-ounce box orange flavored gelatin
- 1 3.4 ounce box vanilla instant pudding
- 1 cup boiling water
- ½ cup cold water
- 8 ounce tub whipped topping thawed
- 1 28-ounce can mandarin oranges drained (reserve 8 – 10 for garnish)
- 2 cups mini marshmallows
- ¼ cup mini marshmallows (optional garnish)
Instructions
- Using a medium size heat safe bowl, stir together the orange flavored gelatin and boiling water. Stir until the gelatin is completely dissolved.
- Stir in the cold water. Place in the refrigerator for 15 minutes.
- Remove the cooled gelatin from the refrigerator, and whisk in the vanilla instant pudding until completely incorporated. Cover the bowl and return to the refrigerator for 20 minutes.
- Remove the bowl from the refrigerator. Fold in the whipped topping, drained mandarin oranges and mini marshmallows. Return to the refrigerator and chill for 2 hours or overnight.
- Just before serving, garnish with the reserved mandarin oranges and mini marshmallows.
Jenn’s Notes
- You can use less oranges and mini marshmallows than the recipe calls for, but it may seem a bit unbalanced.
- If you have leftover orange fluff, you can use it to make creamsicle style popsicles, by placing the leftovers into a popsicle mold. You can also spread it in a baking dish and scoop it up like ice cream, once it freezes. It’s delicious this way!
What size dish to finish it in???????
You can serve it in any size bowl
Do you put lid on after adding everything and put back in refrigerator?
Give more specific times for cooling. Like,how long do i return the jello pudding mixture into the refrigerator for? That would be super helpful. Right now, I’m stuck guessing.