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…
Yep, that is shredded Cheddar cheese- I’m serious when I tell you the cheese absolutely makes the salad. Don’t be tempted to leave it out!
Yum!
That’s it! 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.
Black Cherry Jello Salad Recipe
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.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes + time for the jello to set
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.
Miz Helen says
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
Lizbeth McGow says
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!
Kimberlee Gibson says
I love black cherries – I also love pecans. Looking forward to trying this out. It looks really good.
Http://whatmeeganmakes.com says
Nummers times a 100!! This looks delish. Thanks for linking up to Tickled Pink Times Two Jamie 🙂
Gurvy Green says
Truly an original combination, yet some favorite ingredients — can't wait to try (it looks amazing)
Tonia Larson says
My inlaws make a couple of JELL-O salads every year at Thanksgiving. Your recipe sounds delicious! #client
jerilyn says
i have lost the link to the jello recipe book. can it be reposted
Jamie says
Here is the link: http://issuu.com/livesofab/docs/kraft_holiday
~Jamie
ashley bush says
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!!
Momma Weber says
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.
Jamie says
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!
Julie Daugherty says
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?
Jamie says
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.
Michelle Blake says
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.