Rich & Dreamy Cranberry-PineApple Salad

Salad or dessert? That's what I'm asked when I serve this cranberry PineApple Salad.

 I like to experiment with salads. Craving something creamy, crunchy and packed with flavor I came up with this dreamy delight. Flavors of cranberry, pineapple adding texture with celery, walnuts, gala apples and tanginess flavor of Cream Cheese this was a hit with family and friends. It can be served right along side anything from chicken, turkey, ham, roast, you name it. My guests ask "Is it a salad? or Dessert?" It's definitely both!

I won't tell you how it started, but I kept going and adding ingredients to this bowl of fluff and ended up with this amazing side salad. I made it 3 times this week and ate every bit (except for the little plate I gave my girl friend across the street) myself. I do plan to make this for the upcoming holidays  because I know my Mom and sisters will love it!

Why gala apple you ask....

Gala apples have a mild sweet and vanilla-like flavors with a floral aroma. The Gala apple variety is excellent for fresh salads such as this.  

Why California Walnuts? Let's just say You'd Be Nuts Not To Go With  CA walnuts ... They are crunchy, undoubtedly my favorite and can hold their own flavor in creamy salads

Rich & Dreamy Cranberry-PineApple Salad

 

Cook time 30 Min | Prep time 20 Min | Serves 6

(Note: Cook time is chill time)

Ingredients
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• 20 oz canned crushed pineapple, drained thoroughly
• 2 c fresh or frozen cranberries, thawed, processed finely
• 1 1/2 Tbsp granulated sugar
• 2 stalks celery, diced small
• 1 gala apple peeled and chopped
• 4 oz marshmellow creme
• 8 oz tub whipped topping
• 8 oz cream cheese, softened, room temp
• 1/4 c 2% milk
• 1/2 c powdered sugar (confection sugar)
• 2/3 c walnut pieces, or chopped walnuts

Directions
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Drain pineapple thoroughly, strain, ring out any excess juices, set aside.

In a food processor, add cranberries and chop fine, add to drained pineapple. (If cranberries are frozen, place under warm water for 2 minutes to thaw) add 1 1/2 T sugar while processing

With a hand mixer, mix softened cream cheese until smooth, add 1/4 c. milk and 1/2 cup powdered sugar, mix until smooth.

Add 4 oz marshmellow creme to cream cheese, stir until combined.

In a bowl mix pineapple, diced apple, cranberries, chopped celery.Add Cream cheese mixture, fold in 8 oz whipped topping and fold into mixture. Add chopped walnut pieces and fold until combined.
Chill cranberry-pineapple salad in refrigerator for 20-25 minutes to an hour to chill.

To Serve: a) add to Texas sized muffin pan, sprayed with cooking spray, level off and set in freezer for 10 min to chill. Turn out muffin pan onto a cookie sheet, with a spatula place one at a time on bib or green lettuce leafs; or b) Line a martini glass with leaf lettuce, add salad to 1 cup measuring cup and turn onto lettuce in glass, top with extra cranberries if desired.