1. Prepare gelatin mixture:

   Whisk together boiling water and orange-flavored gelatin in a large, heatproof bowl until fully dissolved.

   Drain mandarin oranges; reserve 1/2 cup of light syrup, discard remaining light syrup or reserve for another use. Set drained mandarins aside at room temperature until ready to use.

   Whisk reserved 1/2 cup syrup into gelatin mixture. Chill gelatin mixture, uncovered, until cool to the touch, about 15 minutes.

2. Combine pudding mixture and gelatin mixture:

   Whisk instant pudding into cooled gelatin mixture until combined; return bowl to refrigerator and chill, until slightly thickened, about 10 minutes.

3. Add whipped topping, then fruit and marshmallows:

   Gently fold in whipped topping until just combined.

   Add reserved mandarin oranges and marshmallows, and fold until evenly distributed.

4. Chill salad:

   Cover and chill mixture until set and slightly thickened, about 20 minutes.

What Is A Fluff Salad?

Fluff salads are typically made with a flavored gelatin, instant pudding mix, whipped topping, and either fruit or nuts. The resulting dish is a light and fluffy concoction that straddles the line between dessert and fruit salad.

Fluff salads were first shared in the 1930s, when Jell-O salads helped dollar-stretched home cooks get creative with inexpensive ingredients. It was in the 1950s, however, that the dish we think of as midcentury retro really came into its own. Party hosts and restaurant cooks alike considered Jell-O salads like the fluff salad sophisticated and elegant.

Key Ingredients for Orange Fluff Salad

This orange fluff calls for just six ingredients, and one of them is water. Here’s what you’ll need for this classic side dish:

• Water: This is added to the gelatin mixture to activate it and turn it to a liquid instead of a powder.
• Gelatin: We tested this recipe with Jell-O brand orange gelatin, but you can use any you prefer.
• Instant pudding mix: Pudding takes the sharp edge off the gelatin mixture and adds a richness so each bite is fluffy and creamy.
• Mandarin oranges: For extra orange flavor and a bit of texture amid the creamy, fluffy salad. However, you can use other citrus if you prefer.
• Whipped topping: Folded into the mixture of pudding and gelatin, this is where the real “fluff” is. The whipped topping makes this side airy and light.
• Mini marshmallows: For extra texture and chew in what is otherwise a one-note dish.

How To Store Orange Fluff Salad

Any leftover fluff salad can be put into an airtight container and stored in the fridge. The salad will start to “deflate” as it sits, with the whipped topping turning thinner and less airy. Ideally, you’ll make and eat fluff salad within a day.

Can You Make Fluff Salads in Advance?

You can get ahead by making orange fluff salad about a day ahead of when you plan to serve it, but not much more. If you are planning to make ahead, wait to fold in the mandarin oranges until just before serving so you can prevent any extra moisture from seeping out of the fruit and watering down the fluff. Freezing is not a good idea for a fluff salad; it will not old up during thawing.

Tips From The Southern Living Test Kitchen

• Gently fold the whipped topping into the gelatin-pudding mixture so you don’t overwork it and cause it to go flat.
• Feel free to use any flavor of gelatin, and just mix and match the fruit to the gelatin.
• For a little extra texture, you can add in chopped pistachios, shredded coconut, or extra canned fruit.