Millionaire Cranberry Salad Recipe

Introduction

Millionaire Cranberry Salad is a festive and creamy treat bursting with fruity and nutty flavors. This colorful salad combines tart cranberries, sweet marshmallows, and crunchy pecans for a delightful texture that’s perfect for holiday gatherings or any time you want a special side dish.

Ingredients

• 2 cups vanilla yogurt
• 1 cup whipped cream
• 2 cups pineapple tidbits (well-drained)
• 2 cups mini marshmallows
• 1 cup pecans (chopped, or walnuts)
• 2 cups sweetened flaked coconut
• 4 cups cranberries (fresh or frozen)
• 1 cup white sugar
• 1 cup orange juice
• Zest of 1 orange
• 2 cinnamon sticks

Instructions

1. Step 1: Combine cranberries, sugar, orange juice, orange zest, and cinnamon sticks in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes.
2. Step 2: Remove the saucepan from the stove and let the cranberry sauce cool thoroughly; it will thicken as it cools.
3. Step 3: In a large bowl, add vanilla yogurt, whipped cream, pineapple tidbits, mini marshmallows, chopped pecans, and sweetened flaked coconut. Stir to combine.
4. Step 4: Add 1 1/2 cups of the cooled cranberry sauce to the salad mixture and stir well. Add more sauce if desired for extra flavor.
5. Step 5: Cover and refrigerate the salad for 4 hours or overnight to allow the flavors to meld and the salad to chill.
6. Step 6: Before serving, garnish the salad with additional chopped nuts for a festive finish.

Tips & Variations

• For a crunchier texture, toast the pecans lightly before adding them to the salad.
• Swap walnuts for pecans if preferred for a different nutty flavor.
• Use fresh cranberries when in season for the best tartness; frozen cranberries work well too.
• Add a handful of chopped dried apricots or raisins for extra sweetness and chewiness.

Storage

Store the cranberry salad covered in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Stir gently before serving as some settling may occur. It is best served chilled, and reheating is not recommended since this is a creamy cold salad.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make this salad ahead of time?

Yes, making the salad a few hours or even the night before allows the flavors to blend nicely. Just keep it refrigerated until ready to serve.

What can I substitute for whipped cream?

You can use light whipped topping or Greek yogurt for a healthier option, but keep in mind this may change the texture slightly.

Millionaire Cranberry Salad Recipe

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★★★★★

4.5 from 75 reviews

• Author: Harper
• Total Time: 4 hours 30 minutes
• Yield: 8 servings 1x
• Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

Millionaire Cranberry Salad is a luscious, creamy fruit salad featuring fresh cranberries simmered with orange juice, sugar, and spices, combined with pineapple tidbits, mini marshmallows, crunchy nuts, sweetened coconut, and a smooth blend of vanilla yogurt and whipped cream. Chilled to allow flavors to meld, this salad is perfect for festive occasions or as a delightful dessert side dish.

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Ingredients

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Salad Ingredients

• 2 cups vanilla yogurt
• 1 cup whipped cream
• 2 cups pineapple tidbits (well-drained)
• 2 cups mini marshmallows
• 1 cup pecans (chopped) or walnuts
• 2 cups sweetened flaked coconut

Cranberry Sauce

• 4 cups cranberries (fresh or frozen)
• 1 cup white sugar
• 1 cup orange juice
• Zest of 1 orange
• 2 cinnamon sticks

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Instructions

1. Make the sauce: Combine cranberries, sugar, orange juice, orange zest, and cinnamon sticks in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer gently for 10 minutes, allowing the cranberries to soften and flavors to meld.
2. Cool the sauce: Remove the saucepan from heat and allow the cranberry sauce to cool thoroughly. The sauce will thicken as it cools, providing the perfect consistency for the salad.
3. Mix the salad ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the vanilla yogurt, whipped cream, pineapple tidbits, mini marshmallows, chopped pecans (or walnuts), and sweetened flaked coconut. Stir gently to mix evenly.
4. Add the cranberry sauce: Pour 1 1/2 cups of the cooled cranberry sauce into the salad mixture and stir well to blend. Add more sauce if desired to adjust flavor and moisture.
5. Chill: Cover the bowl and refrigerate the salad for at least 4 hours, or preferably overnight, to allow the flavors to develop and the salad to set.
6. Serve: Before serving, garnish the salad with additional chopped nuts for extra texture and presentation. Serve chilled for a refreshing, flavorful dessert or side dish.

Notes

• Ensure the pineapple tidbits are well-drained to prevent the salad from becoming too watery.
• You can substitute walnuts for pecans according to preference.
• Adjust the amount of cranberry sauce added to the salad based on your desired sweetness and tartness.
• For a lower sugar option, reduce the sugar in the sauce or use a sugar substitute suitable for cooking.
• This salad tastes best when allowed to chill overnight for full flavor melding.
• Use fresh cranberries if available for the best texture, otherwise frozen cranberries work well too.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Salad
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: American

Keywords: Millionaire Cranberry Salad, cranberry sauce, holiday salad, creamy fruit salad, festive dessert, pineapple, pecans, whipped cream, vanilla yogurt