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Raspberry Jello Salad with Frozen Raspberries

This sweet and creamy Jello salad features simple ingredients like raspberry gelatin, mini marshmallows, and frozen raspberries With the perfect balance of sweet and tart it’s the best holiday dessert for a crowd!

White baking dish with raspberry Jello salad and marshmallow topping with small piece removed.

If you need a simple and sweet, crowd-pleasing Christmas dessert, you have to give this raspberry Jello salad a try.

The combination of ingredients may seem a little strange. But, trust me, it’s delicious!

I usually only eat this recipe once a year when my aunt makes it for Christmas Eve, so I forget how yummy it really is.

I took it to a dinner with friends and they couldn’t stop eating it!

This recipe works because it:

  • Makes enough for a large gathering. You’ll have enough to serve several people so you can take this Jello to events like a Christmas party, potluck, or dinner.
  • Uses simple and familiar ingredients in a unique way. And the festive red and white are perfect for the season!
  • Can be made the day before your event to save time. During the holidays, we’re all a little short on time, so you can make this the night before and have it ready to go in the morning.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Raspberry Jello salad ingredients on counter including mini marshmallows, frozen raspberries, and Jello box.

Pour 6 ounces of raspberry Jello onto the bottom of a 9×13 baking dish.

Pour 2 cups of boiling water over the Jello and mix until it’s completely dissolved.

White baking dish with red liquid Jello and whisk all on countertop.

Add 2 cups of applesauce and stir to combine.

White baking dish with red liquid gelatin, applesauce, and whisk next to empty applesauce cup.

Carefully pour 12 ounces of frozen raspberries into the Jello gently press them into an even layer.

White baking dish with red liquid gelatin and frozen raspberries next to raspberry bag.

Refrigerate for 2 hours or until the Jello sets.

While the Jello is refrigerating, mix together 16 ounces of sour cream and 10 ounces of mini marshmallows. Let the mixture sit at room temperature for an hour until the marshmallows start to dissolve.

White bowl with mini marshmallows, sour cream, and spatula next to bag of mini marshmallows.

Refrigerate the topping until the Jello is set and then spread it over the top.

Cover the dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate until ready to serve. Cover and refrigerate any leftovers.

Recipe Tips and Substitutions

White baking dish with marshmallow topping partially covering raspberry Jello.

The easiest way to boil water is in the microwave. I used a glass microwave-safe measuring cup and heated the water on high for about 4 minutes, stirring after 2 minutes.

I used the small applesauce cups because we always have those on hand for school lunches, but you can use the large bottle of applesauce if you want.

You can use sweetened or unsweetened applesauce, or even try strawberry!

The marshmallows won’t completely dissolve into the sour cream so you’ll still see the distinct marshmallow shape.

If you’d like a smoother marshmallow topping, you can melt the marshmallows with 3/4 cup of milk in a saucepan over medium-low heat. Remove the marshmallows from the heat once they’re melted and let them come to room-temperature. Fold in the sour cream and then spread over the top of the Jello.

If you can’t find sour cream or don’t like the flavor, try one of these sour cream substitutes.

This recipe is sweet so you can serve it for dessert, but it technically has fruit in it so you can also serve it as a sweet side dish.

More Like This

White baking dish with raspberry jello salad, marshmallow topping, and fresh raspberries.

Looking for more yummy red and white desserts? You’ll love these:

FAQs

White plate with raspberry Jello, marshmallow topping, and fresh raspberries next to gold fork.
Why is it called a Jello salad?


The term “salad” is used to describe a mix of ingredients with at least one raw element (usually with mostly natural ingredients).

While this dessert isn’t typically what you’d think of for a salad, it technically fits the definition.

Can I use fresh raspberries instead of frozen?


Yes, you can use fresh raspberries if you have them, following the same instructions. Use 2½ cups of fresh raspberries to substitute for the frozen.

I hope your family loves this raspberry Jello salad! If you make it, take a picture and tag me on Instagram with @ashcroftfamilytable and use the hashtag #ashcroftfamilytable!

 

And if you’d like to get a 4-week meal plan featuring my recipes, just enter your email in the form above and you’ll get it straight to your inbox!

White baking dish with raspberry Jello salad and marshmallow topping with small piece removed.

Raspberry Jello Salad with Frozen Raspberries

The Ashcroft Family Table
This sweet and creamy Jello salad features simple ingredients like raspberry gelatin, mini marshmallows, and frozen raspberries With the perfect balance of sweet and tart it's the best holiday dessert for a crowd!
4.50 from 4 votes
Prep Time 20 minutes
Chilling time 2 hours
Total Time 2 hours 20 minutes
Course Desserts, Side Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 12 servings
Calories 236 kcal

Ingredients
 
 

  • 6 ounces raspberry Jello
  • 2 cups boiling water
  • 2 cups applesauce
  • 12 ounces frozen raspberries
  • 16 ounces sour cream
  • 10 ounces mini marshmallows

Instructions
 

  • Pour raspberry Jello onto the bottom of a 9×13 baking dish.
  • Pour boiling water over the Jello and mix until it's completely dissolved.
  • Add applesauce to the Jello and stir to combine.
  • Carefully pour frozen raspberries into the Jello and gently press them into an even layer.
  • Refrigerate for 2 hours or until the Jello sets.
  • While the Jello is refrigerating, mix together sour cream and mini marshmallows in a medium bowl.* Let the mixture sit at room temperature for an hour until the marshmallows start to dissolve.
  • Refrigerate the topping until the Jello is set and then spread it over the top.
  • Cover the dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate until ready to serve. Cover and refrigerate any leftovers.

Video

Notes

*If you’d like a smoother marshmallow topping, you can melt the marshmallows with 3/4 cup of milk in a saucepan over medium-low heat. Remove the marshmallows from the heat once they’re melted and let them come to room temperature. Fold in the sour cream and then spread over the top of the Jello.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 236kcal | Carbohydrates: 42g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 22mg | Sodium: 100mg | Potassium: 122mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 32g | Vitamin A: 257IU | Vitamin C: 8mg | Calcium: 49mg | Iron: 0.4mg
Keyword raspberry jello, raspberry jello salad
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4.50 from 4 votes (4 ratings without comment)
Recipe Rating