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Cherry Applesauce Jello Salad

November 21, 2020 by Michelle | 11 Comments

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closeup of a spoonful of jello salad with a text overlay that says now cook this cherry applesauce jello salad

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!

closeup of a spoonful of cherry applesauce jello salad this recipe

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 jello salad most definitely evokes the strongest opinions. They either love it (hello, that’s me!) or they hate it.

This one, the red jello 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!

small bowl of cherry applesauce jello salad with a spoon on the side

Ingredients you need:

  • Cherry Jell-O
  • Water
  • Applesauce

Here’s a look at how to make Cherry Applesauce Jello Salad:

two images showing the steps to make cherry applesauce jello salad
two images showing the steps to make cherry applesauce jello salad
two images showing 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!
spoonful of cherry applesauce jello salad over a bowl of salad

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!

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  • Easy Homemade Applesauce
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Cherry Applesauce Jello Salad

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!
5 from 4 votes
Print Recipe Rate/Comment Pin Recipe
Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes
Chill/Set Time: 6 hours hours
Total Time: 6 hours hours 10 minutes minutes
Servings: 8 (about ¼ cup each; recipe makes about 2 cups total)
Calories: 63
Author: Michelle / Now Cook This!

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!
Did you try this recipe? I’d love to see it!Mention @nowcookthis or tag #nowcookthisrecipes!
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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Brian

    November 21, 2020 at 12:28 pm

    Awesome ! What more can I say – even for a bachelor to make!

    Reply
    • Michelle

      November 21, 2020 at 1:31 pm

      Thanks, Brian!

      Reply
      • Lorelee Binkowski

        October 8, 2021 at 4:28 pm

        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.

        Reply
        • Michelle

          October 8, 2021 at 4:32 pm

          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).

          Reply
        • Jamie

          November 24, 2022 at 3:38 pm

          So my grandma has made this for years. It’s a favorite. However I can’t get it to set up anymore. I have no idea what I’m doing wrong. The jello won’t set. Ive tried the natural applesauce thinking it’s the sugar. Nothing will let it sit. Ive made this for years and the last two. It will not set up. Any tips? Or reasons why it wouldn’t?

          Reply
          • Michelle

            November 24, 2022 at 6:27 pm

            Hi, Jamie! I’ve never had a problem with this setting up, so I’m not sure why you are having an issue. You’re not adding any more water than the 1 cup of boiling water, are you? The Jello package will tell you to use 2 cups (one boiling, one cold), but in this recipe the applesauce replaces the other cup of water. I’ve used sweetened applesauce with no problem. How long are you letting it set? Is it possible you just need to let it set a little longer?

  2. Lorelee Binkowski

    October 8, 2021 at 4:23 pm

    I use Cinnamon Applesauce which takes the place of the cinnamon candies. It is
    delicious this way also.

    Reply
  3. Sis

    June 5, 2022 at 9:06 pm

    I love this . So easy and so good My grandkids love it too!

    Reply
    • Michelle

      June 5, 2022 at 9:15 pm

      So happy to hear that both you and the grandkids love it, Sis! Thank you for taking the time to comment and rate the recipe!

      Reply
  4. marvin

    October 28, 2022 at 3:56 pm

    I haven’t tried it yet, but how can it be anything but delicious

    Reply
    • Michelle

      October 29, 2022 at 7:27 am

      Thanks, Marvin! Hope you give it a try!

      Reply

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