Inspired by Watergate Salad, this Strawberry Fluff Salad is a cool and fluffy treat bursting with strawberries and pineapple.
I love an old-fashioned fluff salad, and this strawberry cheesecake fluff salad is our newest creation. It’s everything the name suggests – fluffy and full of strawberry flavor with a hint of cheesecake. It’s an easy make-ahead dessert salad for parties, potlucks, and holidays for any time of year.
My mom’s Watergate salad inspired this Strawberry Fluff Salad. It’s so good that she requested I make it for her upcoming retirement party. I’ll make it for more than just that – it is the best side dish for any gathering. The kids love it, and the adults do, too!
My Favorite Kitchen Tools To Make This Recipe
From trusty pots and pans to handy gadgets, I’ve curated a list of products I use and love.
I have a soft spot for retro recipes; strawberry fluff salad does not disappoint. The combination of pudding, jello, and marshmallows with pineapple, coconut, and fresh strawberries reminds me of all the fluff salads we had growing up. I can’t resist a helping or two!
It’s also a great make-ahead recipe, something I love all year, especially during the summer when we need something to share almost weekly. Fluff salads are always a hit – a crowd-pleaser, for sure.
Maybe you’re like me and grew up with these fun side dishes. If so, prepare for a trip down memory lane! If you’re new to dessert salads, you’re in for a treat – this strawberry cheesecake fluff salad recipe might win your heart.
Ingredients
- Cool Whip
- Cheesecake instant pudding mix
- Strawberry jello mix
- Crushed pineapple
- Mini marshmallows
- Sweetened coconut flakes
- Chopped fresh strawberries
Recipe Tips and Variations
How to Make Strawberry Cheesecake Dessert Salad
Place the whipped topping in a large mixing bowl.
Sprinkle the dry pudding mix over the top.
Sprinkle the dry jello mix over the top.
Beat the mixture until fully combined.
Add the marshmallows.
Add the drained crushed pineapple.
Sprinkle the coconut flakes over the top.
Add the chopped strawberries and then stir until combined.
Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and chill the salad for at least one hour before serving it.
I usually make this recipe a day in advance of serving it. This allows it time to set up fully. At the very least, give it at least an hour to chill before eating it.
If you make it and want to serve it immediately, you will notice it’s a little grainy. That’s because the pudding and jello mixes haven’t fully dissolved. Giving it some time to chill will eliminate this problem.
Can you use frozen strawberries?
Fresh strawberries work best in this strawberry fluff recipe. They hold their shape better.
If frozen strawberries are all you have, you can use them, but I recommend thawing them first and draining them well so they don’t water down your fluff.
Strawberry cheesecake fluff is like a pretty pink cloud on a plate! Make this one soon, friends. You’re going to love the flavors, texture, and how easy it is to make.
More Great Side Dishes with Fruit
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Strawberry Fluff Salad
Ingredients
- 8 ounces Cool Whip
- 3.4 ounces cheesecake instant pudding
- 1 Tbsp strawberry jello powder
- 20 ounces crushed pineapple juice drained and squeezed out
- 3 cups mini marshmallows
- 1 cup shredded sweetened coconut flakes
- 1 1/2 cups fresh strawberries chopped
Instructions
- In a mixing bowl add Cool Whip, pudding mix, and Jello powder and beat until fully combined.
- Add crushed pineapple and beat again until well combined.
- Stir in marshmallows, coconut, and strawberries.
- Cover and chill for at least an hour or until ready to serve. Enjoy!
Notes
Totally need to make this for my next picnic!
Looks beyond delicious! You definitely got me on this!
The strawberry flavor makes this salad irresistible! It’s so yummy!
A sweet and fluffy side salad my family totally loved! Definitely making again
I will make this fluff for my niece Graduation party. Along with the Pistachio sala I can’t go to a family get together without talking the Pistachio salad. Now I will also make n take the Strawberry cheesecake fluff. They will love this as well. Thanks for sharing this.
This is the perfect summer fruit salad! We loved it.
What can you sub for coconut? Family allergies
I could just leave it out, you could easily sub it for crushed almonds, pistachios, or pecans. The coconut is really just used for texture.
Thank you!
What could I substitute for the pineapple? My allergy is citris and citric acid.
I would finely chop up some green apples, that would be a great substitute.
This is such a delicious dessert! I love the strawberry flavor combined with that cool, creamy texture.
My kids beg me to make this all the time! Thanks for the easy recipe!
One of my favorite picnic treats! I am so excited to try it!
Yum! Who can resist this amazingly delicious strawberry dessert! The best!
I haven’t had this salad in forever!! Now I need to make it
Looks impossible to resist! You had me on this!
A light and airy side salad that my family adored! Definitely going to make again.
Wow this stuff was really tasty. Thanks!
Can’t get enough of the strawberry and pineapple combo!!!! LOVE LOVE LOVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Love this recipe – Fluffy and delicious. My family is asking for me to make it again soon!
This is so good! Can’t wait to make this again!
It is so good! I’m definitely making this again!
This is literally the perfect dessert and I love the strawberries!
I love this! It’s super yummy and perfect for bringing to a potluck or summer picnic.
I made the Strawberry Fluff Salad for a picnic, and it was a hit! It’s the perfect combination of creamy and fruity, and so refreshing. It was very easy to make, and I appreciated the flexibility with ingredients.
This is THE “go-to” side dish for so many meals – you can’t go wrong with strawberry and cheesecake. LOVE IT!
So easy and so yummy! We love making this for the holidays or for summer potlucks. It’s always a hit!
It is so good! I made this and everyone loves it last night party!
Everyone absolutely loved the strawberry fluff salad! It was a big hit, with its perfectly sweet, creamy texture and the fresh burst of strawberries throughout.
This strawberry fluff salad was absolutely amazing! I’m already planning to make it again. It’s a simple, delicious way to bring a smile to everyone’s face!
It’s so light, fluffy, and packed with sweet strawberry flavor. Everyone from the kids to the adults loved it. It’s nice to have such a simple yet delicious dessert option that’s also a bit nostalgic.
YUM! This stuff was soooo good! Thanks for the recipe.