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
Put the mixture back in the fridge for another 1–2 hours. That allows the flavors to marry and gives everything a chance to set up nicely.
Step 6: Serve
Spruce it up if you want — top with extra mandarin oranges, mini marshmallows or even some fresh mint leaves.
Spoon into bowls or dessert plates and brace yourself for an exploding, dreamy, creamy burst of citrus sunshine!
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 vivid color and creamy texture land it at any number of festive spreads.
With Garnishes: Sprinkle with crushed graham crackers, add a spoonful of whipped cream or a sprig of fresh mint for a touch of elegance.
Pair it with citrusy drinks like orange spritzers or lemonade — they will enhance 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.