Black Cherry Jello Salad Recipe
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I’m sharing one of my families favorite traditional Holiday recipe: Black Cherry Jello Salad made with Black Cherry Jello and Cool Whip!
Black Cherry Jello Salad Recipe:
We all have that favorite recipe that our Christmas or Thanksgiving Meals would be incomplete without.
For me, the dish is a Black Cherry Jell-O Salad. My family has been serving this Jell-O Salad at Holiday meals since before I was born. (or at least as long as I can remember…)
I’m not sure where the recipe originated, but I do know both my grandmothers always made it too, so it’s hard to say which side of the family it came from. My family knows this is my favorite too. In fact, it was nicknamed “Jamie’s Jello salad” sometime in the ’80’s.
We had our annual Boy Scout Potluck earlier this week and I signed up to bring Jello Salad.
You might actually be surprised at some of the ingredients in this Jello salad and since I’ve never actually measured the ingredients when making this dish, I had to pay attention and measure everything out for you today.
My normal way to prepare it is just to add the ingredients a little at a time and taste as I go, lol.
Ingredients in Black Cherry Jello Salad
Yep, that’s shredded Cheddar cheese you see in the photo!
I’m serious when I tell you the cheese absolutely makes the salad. Don’t be tempted to leave it out!
- Black Cherry Jello | Two small boxes, prepared. (The size box that serves 4.) If you can’t find black cherry, regular cherry Jell-o will do. And yes, you can use sugar free Jello.
- 2 – 8 oz cans of pineapple tidbits | Drained. Sometimes I can’t find tidbits, if that’s the case for you, just use chucks or slices and dice them up yourself.
- 3/4 to 1 cup of chopped pecan pieces | Use as little or as much pecans as you want. We love pecans, so I use the full cup.
- 2/3 cup finely shredded Cheddar Cheese | Sounds strange, I know, but don’t leave the cheese out.
- 1 1/4 cup Cool Whip | I have only ever used Cool Whip in this recipe, so I can’t tell you if homemade whipped cream will work. You can use lite or sugar free Cool Whip.
Yum!
This Jell-O salad is so easy and so good!
Such an excellent complement to all the traditional holiday and other potluck dishes!
Looking for a low carb version of this jello salad? See that one here.
What are some of your family’s traditional Holiday recipes?
I would love to hear about them.
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Black Cherry Jello Salad Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes + time for the jello to set
Description
Black Cherry Jello Salad: Made with Black Cherry Jello, Cool Whip, pecans, and cheese is a delicious jello salad often served at holiday and potluck meals.
Ingredients
- 2 small boxes Black Cherry Jello prepared (If you can’t find black cherry, regular cherry Jell-o will do.)
- 2 8 oz cans of pineapple tidbits, drained
- 3/4 to 1 cup of chopped pecan pieces (use as little or as much pecans as you want)
- 2/3 cup finely shredded Cheddar Cheese
- 1 1/4 cup Cool Whip
Instructions
1. Stir prepared Jello until “crumbly”:
2. Mix in the rest of the ingredients until thoroughly combined
3. Return to the refrigerator until ready to serve.
Notes
This is one of those recipes that is even better prepared the day before.
My late mother in law used to make this with pistachio jello.
I always make the same except I use cottage cheese instead of cheddar. I used black cherry for a few years and then went back to strawberry jello. My sister-in-law adds mandarin orange slices especially when she uses orange jello. It’s all yummy! We kept calling it the Pink Stuff.
I have another version that I make when doing low carb. It uses sugar-free jello, cottage cheese pecans, and homemade whipped cream. (https://www.scatteredthoughtsofacraftymom.com/low-carb-sugar-free-jello-fluff-salad/) It’s really good too. I go back and forth on which is my favorite. for the last year or so I have really been loving this cranberry jello salad.
My favorite Jello salad recipe, thanks!
★★★★★
Oh My! I stumbled across this recipe on pinterest. My mom used to make this when i was a kid and i couldn’t remember the recipe. I just made it today and i’ve got to say its probably not going to make it for thanksgiving tomorrow haha. Got to make another trip to the store. Thank you so much for this great recipe!!
★★★★★
My family has a similar recipe that uses lime green jelly, walnuts and whipped cream but otherwise the same. The cheese is very important! I’m looking forward to this version.
My grandmother always made a salad like this for TG but she put in in a rectangular pan and cut in squares to serve ….will you recipe do that?
You won’t be able to slice this recipe because you break the jello into tiny little pieces and then mix everything in and eat it with a spoon.
Does this recipe still get good reviews if no nuts are put in? Thinking of making for our family Thanksgiving but need to eliminate the nuts due to a family member's allergy.
I have never tried it without nuts. I am sure it would still be good. If you still want crunch, maybe try replacing the nuts with a crunchy diced apple or jicama. Some people also add marshmallows- not crunchy, but still yummy. Good luck!
i have lost the link to the jello recipe book. can it be reposted
Here is the link: http://issuu.com/livesofab/docs/kraft_holiday
~Jamie
My inlaws make a couple of JELL-O salads every year at Thanksgiving. Your recipe sounds delicious!
Truly an original combination, yet some favorite ingredients — can't wait to try (it looks amazing)
Nummers times a 100!! This looks delish. Thanks for linking up to Tickled Pink Times Two Jamie 🙂
I love black cherries – I also love pecans. Looking forward to trying this out. It looks really good.
Wow Jamie, the cheddar cheese is an unexpected element for sure, I'm sure it tastes great, coming from a person who puts grape jelly on her grilled cheese I will try this one, looks so festive, thanks for sharing!
Our family loves Jello Salad and this will be one that we will be having! Thank you so much for taking the time during this busy season to share your wonderful post with Full Plate Thursday. Have a wonderful weekend and hope to see you again real soon!
Miz Helen