This creamy, easy-to-make, Lime Fluff is a sweet side dish or a light dessert. It's a fluffy salad, flavored with tart lime, whipped with cream cheese, and Cool Whip then stuffed with fluffy marshmallows, pineapple, and nuts. Its color makes it perfect for St. Patrick's Day, Easter and Christmas while its light, refreshing texture fits spring and summer to a tee.Â
This lime "fluff" was always a favorite salad in my house when I was growing up. My mom never called it a fluff but rather a lime mallow salad. And, being it was in the 1950s, it had to be made in a jello mold. Anyone else remember those days? She made the fluff as per the recipe below but put another layer of lime jello on top.
It wasn't until I saw all the recipes on the internet that I even knew there was such a thing as fluff. I know, I know! How could I not know what this yummy, cool, and refreshing stuff was! So I've updated my mom's green jello salad to suit today's tastes. Not only that, it's much easier without the mold and it tastes just as creamy and delicious. And this lime jello dessert comes together in about 10 minutes!
Just look at all that fluffy, creamy goodness with a little crunch from the added nuts.
Variations
- Turn this into pure pineapple fluff by using vanilla pudding in place of jello and adding a 20-oz can of pineapple and 2 cups of marshmallows.
- Love tropical? Add shredded coconut to the mix.
- Prefer walnuts over pecans? Go ahead and replace one with the other.
- Make it more of a dessert by topping each serving with some crushed graham cracker crumbs.
- Red and green just screams Christmas, so add some chopped cherries to this fluffy lime green dessert for an instant Christmasy look.
- Want a more springy look? Try strawberry jello or even lemon jello.
How to make Lime Jello Salad
Only 7 simple and easy to find ingredients to make this incredibly creamy, marshmallowy fluff.
- Place room temperature cream cheese, the drained pineapple juice from the pineapple can (about ½ cup), and powdered lime jello in a large bowl.
- Beat until smooth.
- Add the remaining ingredients, marshmallows, cool whip, drained crushed pineapple, and nuts to the cream cheese mixture.
- Mix until well combined and place in the refrigerator to chill.
Doesn't that lime fluff just make you think of spring? And it's so easy to make and so delicious to eat that your family will be begging you to make this fluffy lime jello salad again and again. Enjoy!
More Fruit Salad Recipes
Cucumber Mint Watermelon Salad
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Lime Fluff with cream cheese and pineapple
Ingredients
- 3 oz cream cheese
- 3 oz package lime flavored jello (just the dry jello will be used)
- 8 oz can crushed pineapple, drained & reserved (it will result in ½ cup crushed pineapple and ½ cup pineapple juice)
- 8 oz Cool Whip
- 1 cup mini marshmallows
- ½ cup pecans, chopped
Instructions
- In a large bowl, beat cream cheese, lime jello and pineapple juice until smooth.
- Stir in Cool Whip, crushed pineapple, mini marshmallows, and chopped nuts.
- Store in refrigerator until ready to serve.
Notes
Variations
- Turn this into pure pineapple fluff by using vanilla pudding in place of jello and adding a 20-oz can of pineapple and 2 cups of marshmallows.
- Love tropical? Add shredded coconut to the mix.
- Prefer walnuts over pecans? Go ahead and replace one with the other.
- Make it more of a dessert by topping each serving with some crushed graham cracker crumbs.
- Red and green just screams Christmas, so add some chopped cherries to this fluffy lime green dessert for an instant Christmasy look.
- Want a more springy look? Try strawberry jello or even lemon jello.
Nutrition
This post has been updated with new photos and clearer directions. It was first published on November 30, 2016.
Sheryl says
Made this yesterday to take to my family reunion and it was way way too sweet. Even the children could not finish it. 😔It ended up in the trash. I might recommend using 8 oz of cream cheese instead of 3 oz.
Linda Warren says
I am sorry it was too sweet for you. It is one of my family and friends favorites that I always bring to potlucks. If you like it less sweet you can try leaving out the marshmallows, using a sugar-free jello, and possibly increasing the cream cheese. There are so many ways to adapt this even for those that like their desserts less sweet.
Elaine Kelly says
Can the marshmallows be left out?
Linda Warren says
Yes, the marshmallows can be left out. The texture overall won't be quite the same but it should still be delicious.
Miki Amato says
Only 3ozs of cream cheese????
Linda Warren says
Yes, all you need is 3 ounces. Hope you enjoy!
Gail says
Needed fewer carbs and something lemony…. Used 2 boxes sugar free lemon jello and replaced marshmallows with 1 cup Light and Fit Greek vanilla yogurt. DELICIOUSLY lower carbs!
Linda Warren says
Sounds like you made a great new recipe! Glad I could be your inspiration.
Barbara Sheffield says
Can I use whipped cream cheese out of a tub, instead of a block of creamcheee?
Linda Warren says
I have never tried it with whipped cream cheese but since it is a thinner and grainier version of cream cheese with other added ingredients I wouldn't recommend it.
Jonnie says
I ended up using 8 ounces of cream cheese and a 10 ounce bag of mini marshmallows and it turned out great!
Linda Warren says
Wow! I bet it turned out extra rich and creamy. Yum! So glad you liked it!
Elizabeth Meade says
How much pineapple juice should I use to mix with the cream cheese? Also, does one add water to the lime jello?
Linda Warren says
Hi Elizabeth! Just use all the pineapple juice you drained from the can and held in reserve. And just the jello powder is added, no water. This is one of my favorite recipes from my mom. Hope you enjoy!
Linda Warren says
Hi Elizabeth, Just use the powdered jello, no water required. In regards to the pineapple juice, whatever is left from draining the pineapple is what you use. Hope you enjoy!
T says
Do you mix the Jello straight out of the box with the other ingredients or bloom or even set it first?
Linda Warren says
Yes, the jello is used straight out of the box. The pineapple juice takes the place of water to some extent. It is there basically for the flavor. Hope you enjoy!