This quick and easy Cherry Applesauce Jello Salad is a delicious sweeter alternative to cranberry sauce, and it’s also a yummy side dish, snack, or dessert any time of the year!
If you’ve got some eaters at your Thanksgiving table that don’t love the tartness of cranberry sauce, serve up a bowl of this jello salad and watch them gobble it up!
In our family, we call this The Red Jello Salad because there is also The Green Jello Salad. Both recipes come from David’s grandma Bertha and are always on every holiday menu.
And it wouldn’t be a proper holiday dinner if we all didn’t have the traditional debate over which one is better.
The green salad most definitely evokes the strongest opinions. They either love it (hello, that’s me!) or they hate it. I’ll definitely share that recipe one day because I think it’s awesome too!
This one, the red salad, on the other hand, is loved by everyone. It’s so simple and so delicious!
It comes together in just a few quick minutes. Then all you have to do is let it sit in the fridge until it’s set. Done!
Ingredients you need:
- Cherry Jell-O
- Water
- Applesauce
Here’s a look at how to make Cherry Applesauce Jello Salad:
Tips & Tidbits:
- You will need 4 to 6 hours for this to set up. I just make it the day before and let it sit overnight.
- Jarred applesauce is absolutely fine, but it’s even better with Homemade Applesauce.
- Raspberry Jell-O is also very good, as is strawberry or even cranberry. In fact, you could change it up and make it with any flavor you want!
- It’s not just for Thanksgiving! We also enjoy having a bowl of this salad in the fridge for a quick snack or a light dessert all year long.
- I like this recipe as is, but I have seen similar recipes where people put cinnamon Red Hot candies in it (about ½ cup, melted in the boiling water before adding it to the Jell-O). Might be worth a try too if that’s your thing!
You might want to make a double batch, because a spoonful of this deliciousness on everybody’s plate might not be enough!
Oh, and if you still want to make some cranberry sauce, check out my Pineapple-Orange Cranberry Sauce. One word: Yum!
And be sure to check out all of my side dish recipes and salad recipes for more ideas for your holiday dinners!
I hope you try this recipe for Cherry Applesauce Jello Salad and love it as much as I do. Thanks for visiting today!
- Easy Homemade Applesauce
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Cherry Applesauce Jello Salad
Ingredients
- 1 (3-ounce) box cherry Jell-O
- 1 cup boiling water
- 1 cup applesauce
Instructions
- Place the Jell-O in a bowl.
- Add the boiling water and stir until the Jell-O has completely dissolved, about 2 minutes.
- Add the applesauce; stir until well-combined. Note: If you want, you can transfer it, at this point, to your serving bowl.
- Cover and refrigerate until set, about 4 to 6 hours (I usually just let mine sit overnight).
- Enjoy!
Notes
- Raspberry Jell-O is also very good, as is strawberry or even cranberry. In fact, you could change it up and make it with any flavor you want!
- It’s not just for Thanksgiving! We also enjoy having a bowl of this salad in the fridge for a quick snack or a light dessert all year long.
- I like this recipe as is, but I have seen other recipes where people put cinnamon Red Hot candies in it (about ½ cup, melted in the boiling water before adding it to the Jell-O). Might be worth a try too if that’s your thing!
Brian
Awesome ! What more can I say – even for a bachelor to make!
Michelle
Thanks, Brian!
Lorelee Binkowski
I use Cinnamon Applesauce which takes the place of the cinnamon candies. It is
delicious this way also.
Re Comment Above: Use two cups of cinnamon applesauce instead of the water.
This was actually a comment on recipes people make using the cinnamon candies.
Michelle
Thanks for your tip and the 5-star rating, Lorelee! I will have to try using cinnamon applesauce sometime (but I think you would still need the boiling water to dissolve the Jello).
Lorelee Binkowski
I use Cinnamon Applesauce which takes the place of the cinnamon candies. It is
delicious this way also.