This Creamsicle Orange Fluff blends tangy sweet orange Jell-O, creamy vanilla cheesecake pudding and fluffy Cool Whip into a dreamy, nostalgic dessert. Packed with mandarin oranges and pastel marshmallows, it’s a good choice for potlucks or parties, or maybe just a cooling weeknight treat for your family. You can make it with ease, and it’s so good!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe:
Fast & Easy: No prep time makesthis ideal for impromptu get-togethers.
No Baking Needed: Perfect for warm days when you don’t want to heat up the oven.
Kid-Approved: Everyone from the children to grandma will enjoy the creamy, citrusy flavor.
Versatile: Wonderful on its own as a dessert or as a playful side dish for a holiday table.
Key Ingredients:
Orange Jell-O: The protagonist, providing a sunny, citrusy base that screams “summer vibes.”
Instant Vanilla Cheesecake Pudding Mix: For added creaminess and cheesiness for flavor.
Cool Whip: Offers the distinctive fluff of this dessert, adding to the lightly luscious quality.
Mandarin Oranges: A pop of sweetness and color.
Miniature marshmallows, in pastel colors: Fun and whimsical, they also provide chewiness and visual appeal.
Full list of ingredients with amounts and instructions is located on the recipe card below
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Instructions:
Step 1: Dissolve the Jell-O
Water: 1 cup overboil in | 1 cup water
Pour 1 box orange Jell-O powder into a mixing bowl.
Whisk to Dissolve Whisk the powder into the boiling water, until no granules remain (about 2 minutes).
Step 2: Add Cold Water and Chill
Combine with ½ cup of cold water: Add cold water to this melted Jell-O.
Chill the mixture: Put the bowl into the fridge for 20 minutes or so, or until a bit thick but not quite set.
Step 3: Add Pudding Mix
Remove the bowl from the fridge and stir in 1 box of instant vanilla cheesecake pudding mix.
Whisk Together: Stir the pudding mix into the Jell-O until smooth and creamy.
Chill Again: Place back in the fridge for another 20 minutes, to firm up further.
Step 4: Add in Cool Whip, Oranges, and Marshmallows
Prepare Add-ins:
Drain a small can of mandarin oranges.
Pour 1 cup pastel colored mini marshmallows
Gently fold 8 ounces of Cool Whip into the thickened mixture until smooth.
Fold In Oranges and Marshmallows: Gently fold in the drained mandarin oranges and mini marshmallows, taking care not to break up the orange segments.
Step 5: Final Chill
Chill the Fluff: Return the mixture to the refrigerator for 1-2 hours to set and meld the flavors.
Step 6: Serve
Garnish (Optional): Additional mandarin oranges, mini marshmallows, & fresh mint leaves.
Serve: Spoon into bowls or dessert plates and petrify into this creamy, citrusy heaven!
Serving Suggestions:
Creamsicle Orange Fluff is best served as a chilled dessert or a sweet side dish. Here are some ways to take it in:
At Barbecues: Offer alongside grilled meats for a refreshing contrast.
Holiday Buffets: Its bright color and creamy texture earn it a spot on festive spreads.
With Garnishes: Top with a dusting of crushed graham crackers, a spoonful of whipped cream or a sprig of fresh mint for an elegant flair.
Serve it with citrusy drinks like orange spritzers or lemonade — they will complement the lemony flavors!
Storage & Meal Prep Tips:
Refrigerator: Store in an airtight container for no longer than 3 days. The flavors actually get better after a day as everything melds together!
Do Not Freeze: Freezing affects the texture, so it’s best eaten fresh.
Make Ahead: Assemble a day before your event for a ready-to-go dessert you don’t need to worry about.
Variations to Try:
The great part about this recipe is how flexible it is! What’s more fun ideas to shake it up:
Tropical Twist: Turn that into a tropical spin by trading the mandarin oranges for pineapple chunks, and the regular for pineapple Jell-O.
Berry Bliss: Substitute strawberries or raspberries for the oranges and strawberry Jell-O.
Healthier Option: Use sugar-free Jell-O and pudding mix to cut back on sugar without losing out on flavor.
Nutty Addition: Add chopped pecans or walnuts for a textural contrast.
Kid-Friendly Fun: Have kids mix in their favorite colorful sprinkles or gummy candies for more fun.
Conclusion:
Creamsicle Orange Fluff is not just a dessert; it’s a walk down memory lane to sun-soaked days, family picnics and carefree times. Its creamy, citrusy goodness is as delightful as it is easy to prepare, and you’ll want to whip it a few times over. It needn’t be served in a trifle bowl (gawdy and showy) or a perfectly normal bowl (too practical), but this dessert shines no matter the dish.
Creamsicle Orange Fluff: A Creamy Citrus Delight
Ingredients
- 1 box Orange Jell-O
- 1 box instant vanilla cheesecake pudding mix
- 1 cup boiling water
- 1/2 cup cold water
- 8 oz Cool Whip
- 1 small can mandarin oranges drained
- 1 cup pastel-colored miniature marshmallows
Instructions
- Heat 1 cup of water until boiling. Pour 1 box of Orange Jell-O powder into a large mixing bowl. Stir the powder into the boiling water with a whisk for about 2 minutes, ensuring no granules remain.
- Mix in ½ cup of cold water to the dissolved Jell-O. Place the bowl in the refrigerator for about 20 minutes, or until slightly thickened but not fully set.
- Remove the bowl from the refrigerator and add 1 box of instant vanilla cheesecake pudding mix. Stir the pudding mix into the Jell-O until smooth and creamy. Return to the refrigerator for another 20 minutes to thicken further.
- Drain a small can of mandarin oranges and measure out 1 cup of pastel-colored mini marshmallows. Gently fold 8 ounces of Cool Whip into the thickened mixture until smooth. Carefully fold in the drained mandarin oranges and mini marshmallows to avoid breaking the orange segments.
- Place the mixture back in the refrigerator for 1-2 hours to allow it to set and flavors to meld.
- Top with extra mandarin oranges, mini marshmallows, or fresh mint leaves if desired. Scoop into bowls or dessert plates and enjoy.