Festive Cranberry Jell-O Salad

By msippigrl

A classic holiday dish and a potluck favorite. This pretty salad is so, so good and couldn't be easier to make! Delicious as a side dish or as a dessert.

Ingredients

• 1 (20-ounce) can crushed pineapple in juice, undrained
• 2 small (3-ounce) packages cherry or raspberry Jell-O gelatin (SF works too)
• 1 (14 to 16-ounce) can whole berry cranberry sauce
• 1 large pear (or apple), peeled and diced small (I used an anjou pear)
• 1/2 cup walnuts or pecans, chopped (optional)
• 1 1/2 to 2 cups Cool Whip for topping

Preparation

Step 1

Drain pineapple well (squeeze or press out all the juice), reserving the juice in a 4-cup glass measuring cup or bowl. Add enough water to the juice to measure 3 cups. Microwave the juice until it comes to a boil.

Add dry gelatin mixes to a medium mixing bowl; whisk in the boiling juice mixture until completely dissolved, 2 minutes. Add the cranberry sauce and stir until dissolved. Refrigerate 1-1/2 hours or until thick but not congealed.

Stir in drained pineapple, pears, and nuts, if using. Pour into an 11x7-inch glass dish (or similar).

Refrigerate at least 4 hours or until firmly congealed.

Spread Cool Whip over the top right before serving time, or cut into individual squares and top each with a small dollop.