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Frozen Cranberry Salad

I’ve been making this frozen cranberry salad for over 40 years. I just can’t escape this sweet, creamy frozen concoction that’s filled with nuts and pineapple!

 
 

A long time ago when food processors became a staple in one’s kitchen, I found the recipe for this frozen cranberry salad recipe in a food processor cookbook.

I’ve been making this super simple cranberry salad for a very long time.

In fact, I believe I started making it in college when I had an inexpensive food processor from Sear’s.

A food processor is essential in this cranberry recipe unless you prefer chopping walnuts or pecans and cranberries by hand!

Now way back when I’m not sure if I owned a portable hand mixer, but I’m guessing I didn’t.

As you can see this recipe calls for Cool Whip and whether I did that to save money or just because it was easier, well, I don’t remember.

Yes, I usually cook with very fresh, wholesome ingredients but way back when Cool Whip was cheaper than heavy cream, and still is.

(You could whip your own heavy cream and add a touch more sugar to taste if you prefer.)

But not being one to change a tradition, I buy my annual plastic tub of Cool Whip and use it in this recipe.

When the kids were little they made sure that not a spoonful went to waste.

Frozen Cranberry Salad

 

I have made this cranberry concoction in almost every container you could think of.

It’s easy to do in a loaf pan or if you want individual servings, I also make it in paper lined muffin cups.

Either way, this stuff disappears fast.

I think I’ve given out this recipe to everyone who’s eaten at our Thanksgiving table!

Now that’s not to say that I don’t make traditional cranberry relish.

OR that I don’t love cranberries in the can. OMG. I love cranberries from the can and each summer when I just can’t stand it anymore, I buy a can of cranberries.

But this recipe? Well, there’s nothing like a melty pink cranberry salad that combines so well with the stuffing on your plate.

This is about as easy as it gets, as long as you have the mentioned food processor.

Frozen Cranberry Salad

Keep in mind this frozen salad does need to be made ahead of time in order to have time to freeze-which is a good thing because it means one thing out of the way in preparation for turkey day.

I make it several weeks in advance and sometimes if I’m lucky I have a few extra muffin cups to eat after the feast!

I did have the pleasure of making this yesterday for the Thanksgiving dinner for the older CASA kids. They had a great time feasting, though I did notice that cranberries didn’t grace many plates.

Mac and cheese seemed to be the star food for them. But that’s OK-because I just took my cranberries home and put them back in the freezer and now there are some for me!

I’m supposed to be cleaning the house today.

Needless to say my day just isn’t working out as planned. Instead of cleaning, I’m thinking about cranberries, which makes me think about Thanksgiving, and then my brain wanders off to thoughts of the Macy’s Thanksgiving’s Day Parade.

Then I remember about how quiet my house will be this year. Yeah, I know some years are like that, but it just doesn’t make it any easier now does it?

So, back to cranberries. Our home has been featuring these cranberries since I wandered off to college a long, time ago.

Like I said, I found this recipe in a food processor cookbook but that cookbook fell apart some years back.

In fact, I can’t even find the original recipe. I suppose I could if I searched long enough; after all I am supposed to be cleaning house.

Frozen Cranberry Salad

I suppose you could serve this pink glorious frozen cranberry salad as dessert but why save the best for last? 

Truly, these cranberries are our family’s special tradition. 

it just wouldn’t be Thanksgiving without them!

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I’d Love if if You’d Follow Me and Pin and Share!

Frozen Cranberry Salad

 

 
This is an updated post from 2011.
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FrozenCranberrySalad3 1

Frozen Cranberry Salad

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 5 from 5 reviews
  • Author: Abbe Odenwalder
  • Prep Time: 20 Minutes
  • Total Time: 20 Minutes
  • Yield: 12-16 1x
  • Category: Salads
  • Cuisine: American

Description

This frozen cranberry salad has been a staple on our Thanksgiving table for over 40 years. This creamy, frozen concoction made with crushed pineapple, cream cheese and walnuts, is that good!


Ingredients

Units Scale

1 bag fresh cranberries

1 1/2 c sugar

8 oz cream cheese

1/2 c walnuts or pecans, chopped

8 oz can crushed pineapple-drained

1/2 of a regular sized container Cool Whip or about 3 cups, though this is personal preference. If you want it creamier you can add more. Or about 3 c sweetened whipped cream.


Instructions

Chop cranberries finely in food processor.  Empty into a big bowl.  Add sugar to cranberries and stir well.

 Chop nuts in processor. Add to cranberries.

Whip cream cheese in processor and add to bowl. Stir in drained, crushed pineapple. Fold in Cool Whip or whipped cream.

Freeze in lightly greased pans that have been greased with Pam or canola oil.

I use 1- 9 x 5  or 2- 8 x 4 loaf pans, or muffin tins that have been line with paper liners.

When ready to serve, let thaw for about 10 minutes before unmolding. Slice into pretty slices OR just serve the individual ones from the muffin pan on a rimmed tray.


Notes

It is easiest to have a food processor to make this recipe. I have not tried it with a blender.

 
Recipe rating 5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

Rebecca

Thursday 9th of December 2021

This is very similar to what I've grown up on for 50+ years. My recipe: make cranberry sauce from fresh cranberries. Cool completely. Add drained pineapple. If you want, some chopped pecans or walnuts. Then fold in Cool Whip. Refrigerate. Both are super simple recipes. And I do have to say, canned whole berry cranberry sauce does NOT do it justice! My mom tried to pull a fast one, one time. We could all tell something wasn't right! 🤨😜 I can't wait to try your recipe! YUM!!! 😋

Abbe

Thursday 9th of December 2021

Wow! Sounds almost the same except mine has cream cheese and it's frozen! Now that you made me think of them, I might just have to go grab one out of the freezer.

A

Saturday 20th of November 2021

My grandma used to make this and it was my favorite Thanksgiving food that I looked forward to every year when I was kid (though she only made it a few times and not every year - I was always disappointed when it wasn’t on the table). Now that I’m and adult I wanted to recreate the dish but didn’t quite know what it was. My mom just sent me this recipe and said this is it! I’m so excited to try making this.

Abbe

Sunday 21st of November 2021

I'm so happy she found this for you! Now you can have it every year!

mjskitchen

Tuesday 16th of November 2021

Talk about taking me back to my childhood! My MIL used to make this, BUT she didn't freeze it. Now that I see yours, I think I would have like it much better if it had been frozen. What a beautiful complement for the turkey. Canned cranberries - not my favorite. :)

Abbe

Tuesday 16th of November 2021

Only way I've ever had it. And it is so, so good!

Cmcaninch

Sunday 14th of November 2021

I also have made this for the last 40 years or so. My dad was diabetic so I could make it with no sugar added. Back in the day I used aspartame. Now I use erythritol. I also use some fat free plain Greek yogurt instead of all cream cheese. I have found a sugar free whipped cream that is actually made with mostly fat free milk. And no, it’s not as wonderful as the original recipe but it meets the dietary restrictions I have to follow!

Abbe

Sunday 14th of November 2021

Thanks for letting me know. So glad you made it work for you! Bet your dad was happy!

angiesrecipes

Wednesday 10th of November 2021

What a fun way to serve salad! And I love how festive and beautiful it looks too.