Cranberry Fluff

Cranberry fluff is one of many staple Midwestern recipes, which makes perfect sense, given that more than half of the country’s cranberries are grown in Wisconsin. The cranberries here are mixed up with assorted fruits, nuts, marshmallows and whipped cream, all coming together in a no-bake dessert that’s approachable for just about any home cook in search of ideas for a backyard party, neighborhood picnic or church potluck.

Cranberry Fluff Ingredients

• Cranberries: The star of this show, cranberries not only add tart flavor, but their beautiful color gives them major aesthetic appeal. Fresh or frozen would both work for this recipe.
• Marshmallows: You’ll find that as this dish marinates, the mini marshmallows become softer and soak up the flavors of the other ingredients.
• Sugar: Because cranberries are so tart, a little sugar is necessary to balance the flavors in this recipe. Granulated sugar is best, since it has a neutral taste.
• Apples: A tart, crispy apple like Granny Smith works best in this recipe. That said, you can experiment with different apple varieties and decide which you prefer.
• Grapes: While some recipes forgo grapes, we like the extra juicy pop of flavor the halved grapes add here. Green grapes will provide a nice color contrast, but any seedless grape will do.
• Nuts: Chopped walnuts or pecans are traditional choices for this dish. We suggest using plain, unroasted and unsalted nuts, to ensure their flavor doesn’t overpower the others in this recipe.
• Heavy whipping cream: Without whipped cream, this cranberry fluff would be more like a cranberry salad. If you prefer a vegan alternative, you can either use coconut cream or silken tofu.

Directions

Step 1: Prep the cranberries

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Place the cranberries in a food processor, then cover and process until they’re finely chopped.

Step 2: Add the marshmallows and sugar

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Transfer the chopped cranberries to a large bowl, then add the marshmallows and sugar. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least four hours, but preferably overnight.

Step 3: Add the remaining ingredients

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Just before serving, remove the cranberry mixture from the fridge, and stir in the apples, grapes, chopped nuts and salt, stirring to mix thoroughly. Fold in the whipped cream and enjoy.

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Cranberry Fluff Variations

• Try different fruits: Instead of apples and grapes, some prefer pineapple or clementine oranges. A few less conventional options that also work well in this cranberry fluff salad include quince, berries and pears.
• Make it extra creamy: While this cranberry fluff recipe relies on whipped cream alone, some recipes whisk the heavy whipping cream with cream cheese. You may enjoy the extra creamy texture and subtle savory flavor that cream cheese brings.
• Add some spice: Spices are not traditionally included in this dish, but if you like the idea of straying off the beaten track, we’ve got options. You can sprinkle some grated fresh ginger, cinnamon or clove into the cranberry mixture for a different dimension.

How to Store Cranberry Fluff

Cranberry fluff is easy to store, since its flavors may even benefit from a little extra time spent marinating. However, because this recipe includes dairy, you won’t want to keep it for too long. When you’re ready to store any leftovers, transfer the cranberry fluff to an airtight container and place it in the back of the fridge for up to three days.

Can you freeze cranberry fluff?

Yes, cranberry fluff can be frozen, but we suggest freezing just the cranberries, sugar and marshmallows for the best results. To do this, transfer the mixture to an airtight container and store it in the freezer for up to three months. When you’re ready to serve the dish, allow the cranberry mixture to thaw overnight in the refrigerator and prepare the remaining ingredients, like the fruits, nuts and whipped cream, just before adding them in.

Cranberry Fluff Tips

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Can I use cranberry sauce to make cranberry fluff?

There are no hard-and-fast rules with this recipe for cranberry fluff, so if you find it either tastier or more convenient to use cranberry sauce, feel free to do so.

What can I do if my cranberry mixture is bitter?

Cranberries get their bitterness from tannins, a plant phenol that’s also common in wine, tea and dark chocolate. If you find your cranberry mixture is bitter, the best way to counteract it is with more sweetness. You can do this using granulated sugar or a sugar alternative like monk fruit or stevia.

Why isn’t my cranberry sauce gelling?

If you’re making this dish with homemade cranberry sauce, you may find that it’s looking more watery than you’d like. If so, there are several ways to thicken sauce. First, make sure you’re using the amount of sugar the recipe calls for because sugar isn’t just for flavor, it also helps the sauce to gel. Second, you can add gelatin, fruit pectin or a cornstarch slurry to the sauce, which are all ingredients known to help cohere sauces, jams and jellies.