Black Cherry Jello Salad Recipe
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I’m sharing one of my family’s favorite traditional Holiday recipes: Black Cherry Jello Salad made with Black Cherry Jello and Cool Whip!
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Black Cherry Jello Salad
We all have that favorite recipe that our Christmas or Thanksgiving Meals would be incomplete without.
My favorite holiday dish is a Black Cherry Jell-O Salad. (Although this Sweet Potato Casserole with Canned Yams or this Cranberry Jello Salad run a close second.) My family has served this Jell-O Salad at Holiday meals for as long as I can remember.
I’m not sure where the recipe originated, but I 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; in fact, it was nicknamed “Jamie’s Jello salad” sometime in the ’80s.
Since I’ve never actually measured the ingredients when making this dish, I had to pay attention and measure everything out when I made it today since my normal way to prepare it is just to add the ingredients a little at a time and taste as I go, lol.
Why you’ll love This Black Cherry Jello Salad
Ingredients in Black Cherry Jello Salad
(Ingredients at a glance, find the full recipe with ingredient amounts in the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post.)
- Black Cherry Jello: (2 boxes) Use the box that serves 4. If you can’t find black cherry, regular cherry Jell-o will do. (Although black cherry is the best, IMO.) And yes, you can use sugar-free Jello.
- Pineapple tidbits: (2 8oz cans) Use canned 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.
- Pecans: (about a cup)Use as little or as much pecans as you want. We love pecans, so I use the entire cup.
- Shredded Cheddar cheese: (2/3 cup) Sounds strange, I know, but don’t leave the cheese out. You don’t taste it, but it adds to the texture.
- Cool Whip: I have only 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. (I do have a low-carb Jello Salad made with cottage cheese and homemade whipped cream. It has a different consistency, but it tastes great.)
How To Make Black Cherry Jello Salad
1 Prepare the Jello. Follow the directions on the package to make the Jello. Once it has set and you are ready to put the salad together, stir the prepared Jello until it appears crumbly.
2 Add the remaining ingredients. Mix in the rest of the ingredients until thoroughly combined. (Taste, add more of anything if desired.)
3 Refrigerate. Cover and place in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
Recipe Tips
- Make sure your jello is completely set before preparing the salad.
- Drain the pineapples well. Too much juice can make the salad too loose.
- Use canned pineapple in this recipe, fresh pineapple has an enzyme that breaks down the proteins in the gelatin.
- I love serving the jello salad in a clear bowl or trifle dish. The finished dish is so festive-looking!
Variations
- Use a different flavor of Jello; almost all flavors will work.
- Some people like to add mini marshmallows.
- Consider adding fruits like grapes or mandarin oranges for extra flavor and texture.
- Switch up the nuts and try cashews and almonds. For a nut-free salad, use seeds like pumpkin or sunflower.
- Add chopped black cherries to increase the cherry flavor.
Storage Suggestions
Leftover Jello salad will keep in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. Just make sure to store it in an airtight container.
FAQs
How long does it take for Jello to set?
The instructions on the box say at least 4 hours, but I always prepare the Jello the night before. (I want to make sure it is fully set.)
How long does the prepared Jello Salad need to chill before serving?
It’s best to refrigerate until it’s well chilled, which usually takes about 1-2 hours.
Can I use homemade whipped cream in this recipe?
I have never used anything other than Cool Whip, but homemade should work. If I were to try using homemade whipped cream, I would serve it not too long after putting the salad together.
Can this recipe be made ahead of time?
Yes, you can make it a day ahead. Just keep it covered and refrigerated until you’re ready to serve.
More recipes:
- For a low carb of this Jello salad, try this Low Carb and Sugar Free Jello Fluff Salad.
- Cranberry Jello Salad
- Easy Strawberry Cake With Jello
- St. Patrick’s Day Jello Shots
Did You Make This Black Cherry Jello Salad?
Please leave a star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating and/or a review in the comments section below. If you share an image on Instagram or Facebook, be sure to tag me and use #scatteredmomrecipes!
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Black Cherry Jello Salad Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 6 hours and 10 minutes
- Yield: 8 to 10 servings 1x
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
- 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
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Instructions
- The night before or at least 6 hours in advance, prepare the jello according to the package directions.
- Stir prepared Jello until “crumbly.”
- Mix in the rest of the ingredients until thoroughly combined.
- Return to the refrigerator until ready to serve.
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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.
Can I use this jello salad as a dessert?
Of course!
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