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Strawberry Fluff Salad

Strawberry fluff salad with whipped topping and mini marshmallows—studded with bright pink strawberry chunks and set until firm. A make-ahead dessert/side that’s light, fluffy, and spoonable after a short chill.
Prep Time 15 minutes
chilling 2 hours
Total Time 2 hours 15 minutes
Servings: 10 servings
Course: Dessert, Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Calories: 290

Ingredients
  

Strawberry gelatin
  • 6 oz strawberry gelatin
Liquids
  • 1 cup boiling water
  • 1 cup cold water
Fruit and mix-ins
  • 1 lb fresh strawberries, chopped
  • 8 oz whipped topping
  • 1 cup mini marshmallows
  • 0.5 cup sour cream
  • 1 fresh mint for garnish

Method
 

Make the gelatin base
  1. Dissolve strawberry gelatin in boiling water. Stir until fully dissolved, then add cold water.
  2. Chill the gelatin mixture until partially set, about 30 minutes. You should see it thicken slightly but still be pourable.
Fold in the filling
  1. Fold in chopped fresh strawberries. Mix gently until the strawberry chunks are evenly distributed.
  2. Fold in whipped topping. Keep folding just until no streaks remain.
  3. Fold in mini marshmallows and sour cream. Mix until the mixture looks fluffy and uniform.
Chill and serve
  1. Transfer the mixture to a serving bowl. Spread it level so it sets evenly.
  2. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours until firm. The center should hold its shape when you scoop.
  3. Garnish with fresh mint before serving. Add right before serving for the freshest color and aroma.

Notes

Pro tip: chill the gelatin only until partially set (about 30 minutes) so it folds without deflating. Store covered in the refrigerator up to 3 days; freezing is not recommended because the texture softens after thawing. For a lighter option, use reduced-fat whipped topping and reduced-fat sour cream if you want a lower-calorie version without changing the method.