Ready in 2 hours

Serves many people

~ 50 calories

• 2 boxes red sugar free jello (2 different flavors)
• 1 can crushed pineapple
• 1 can whole berry cranberry sauce
• 2 apples peeled and chopped (we use macintosh, but variety is personal taste)
• Optional:
  • Walnuts

1. Drain pineapple into a microwave safe liquid measuring cup.
2. Add enough water to the measuring cup to equal 1 cup total and microwave until boiling, ~ 2 minutes.
3. Mix Pineapple, cranberry sauce, and chopped apple in a bowl.
4. Once liquid is up to a boil, add jello powder and whisk until combined.
5. Pour jello mixture over fruit and mix again, making sure to break up any clumps of cranberry sauce.
6. Pour the entire mixture into the desired bowl (I use a clear glass serving bowl), sprinkle walnuts on top if desired, cover with plastic wrap and chill until set..

This recipe was taught to me by a resident at my first job as a new graduate Physical Therapist, and I have since taught it to my parents and brother. We now incorporate it into the majority of our winter holiday menus.

I’m a person who doesn’t like jello and has never liked the ‘traditional’ jello salads served at holiday meals, but I really look forward to this. It’s such a light side dish, and it can also be used as a dessert. For whatever reason, we rarely use this recipe in the warmer months, but it’s light enough that there’s no reason why it couldn’t be eaten at a cookout!

The flavor of red jello really doesn’t matter, as long as it’s two different flavors. I’ve used all different ‘red’ flavors, and it’s always delicious.

Apple variety also doesn’t seem to make a difference, though I wouldn't use a grainy apple, like a red delicious.

The walnuts are optional. We’ve made it with and without, and sometimes part with and part without. They add a nice crunch, but are not necessary. I’ve never made it with a different type of nut, but I don't see why it wouldn’t work.