A vintage Southern potluck classic — cold, creamy, citrusy, and ready in minutes. Perfect for holidays, weeknight desserts, and nostalgic posts.
⭐ Ingredients
- 1 box (3.4 oz / 96 g) instant vanilla pudding mix
- 1 can (20 oz / 565 g) crushed pineapple, undrained
- 1 can (11 oz / 300 g) mandarin oranges, drained
- 1 cup cottage cheese (small curd)
- 1½ cups Cool Whip (or more for extra creaminess)
- 1 cup mini marshmallows
- 1 tsp vanilla extract (optional)
- Zest of 1 orange (optional, boosts flavor)
⭐ Instructions
1. Start the Base
In a large bowl, combine the vanilla pudding mix with the crushed pineapple + juice.
Mix until the pudding begins to thicken.
2. Fold in the Creaminess
Add:
- cottage cheese
- Cool Whip
- vanilla extract (if using)
Stir gently until smooth and creamy.
3. Add the Fruit & Marshmallows
Fold in:
- drained mandarin oranges
- mini marshmallows
Mix carefully so the oranges stay whole.
4. Chill
Cover the bowl and refrigerate for 1–2 hours for fluff to set and flavors to blend.
⭐ Serve
Scoop into bowls and garnish with:
- extra orange zest
- mandarin slices
- whipped cream
Serve cold.
❤️ Tips for the Best Fluff
- Don’t skip the chilling time — it thickens beautifully.
- Use Cool Whip, not whipped cream, for the stable fluffy texture.
- Want it extra orange? Add 1 tbsp of orange gelatin powder (Jell-O), but it’s optional.
Enjoy !!
