Orange Dreamsicle Salad

My orange dreamsicle salad with Cool Whip and vanilla pudding is a sticky-sweet side dish perfect for the table! I love making this quick, simple dessert salad for Christmas, summertime picnics, and more!

My Easy Orange Fluff Salad

Last summer as I was trying to decide what dish to make for a potluck, I heard the ice cream truck go by and came up with the idea to create an orange dreamsicle salad! I knew it would be so fun to recreate the flavors of one of my favorite childhood treats.

I was in the mood for maximum creaminess and sweetness, so I decided to use marshmallows, whipped cream, and vanilla pudding with mandarin oranges for my fluffy fruit salad. After mixing, I let it chill for a few hours so the flavors could meld.

When I finally tried a bite, I almost wanted to keep the whole thing for myself! Of course, I ended up bringing it to the potluck, and this fruit salad was one of the first things to disappear. Everyone said it tasted just like a creamsicle!

My daughter Leah has since requested it for the holidays, so we’ve made it for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter and I know it’s good because the whole bowl is gone before dinner is over!

For more delicious summer treats, be sure to try my lime Jello salad with cottage cheese, cranberry Jello salad, strawberry Jello salad, fruit salad with Cool Whip, frog eye salad, and watergate salad!

Orange Jello Salad Ingredients

• Orange jello – Another orange gelatin brand will work just fine too
• Water – I use a mix of boiling and cold water
• Instant vanilla pudding mix – This is the key to the sweet flavor and fluffiness
• Canned mandarin oranges – for the true orange flavor
• Cool whip – Another key ingredient for fluffiness
• Mini marshmallows – I use plain marshmallows so they don’t overpower the orange flavor

What is a Jello Salad?

Jello salad was invented in the early 1900s by Mrs. John E. Cooke in a Better Homes and Gardens contest. Her “Perfection Salad” was closer to a traditional salad than the dessert salad we’re familiar with today. Full of vegetables and flavored with vinegar and lemon juice, it was a chilled yet savory dish that started a nationwide trend.

My orange dreamsicle salad shows just how much that trend has evolved! My recipe features mandarin orange salad with marshmallows, whipped cream, and vanilla pudding stirred infor a fluffy fruit salad that’s easy and family-friendly. It tastes just like a creamsicle you’d get from an ice cream truck on hazy, lazy summer days. 

How to Make Orange Dreamsicle Salad

A full printable version of this recipe with ingredient measurements is available at the bottom of this post.

STEP ONE: Use a very large bowl – with plenty of room to mix all of the orange dreamsicle salad ingredients together – to prepare the Jello. Add the powdered mix and pour in the boiling water, whisking the mixture until the crystals dissolve.

STEP TWO: Pour the cold water and mandarin oranges into the bowl with the Jello, then follow with the vanilla pudding mix. Stir everything together until combined. Let cool to room temperature before proceeding with the next step – cover and refrigerate if you want to accelerate the process.

STEP THREE: Gently fold the Cool Whip into the mixture. Add the mini marshmallows and fold until incorporated throughout.

STEP FOUR: Cover and refrigerate for 3 to 4 hours before serving.

Tips and Tricks for the Best Orange Creamsicle Salad

• Start with a very large bowl that will fit all the ingredients. I usually use a large bowl with a lid so the salad is easy to store.
• Drain the oranges well! I’ve noticed the salad ends up way too runny if I try to incorporate any of the liquid from the can.
• Use Cool Whip rather than aerosol or homemade whipped cream. In my experience, Cool Whip is much sturdier and thicker, which is better for helping the fruit salad to firm up.
• Fold gently to keep the orange salad nice and fluffy. I use a rubber spatula to help me mix everything together without deflating the Cool Whip.
• Chill the salad for at least three hours before serving. I like to chill mine overnight so all the flavors can really come together, plus it tastes just like a Creamsicle when it’s cold!

Mandarin Orange Jello Salad Variations and substitutions

• Reduce or omit the marshmallows if desired. I’ve made orange fluff salad with just Cool Whip and vanilla pudding, and it turned out perfectly silky and sweet without the marshmallows!
• Add cream cheese with the Cool Whip for some tanginess. I like how this makes the dessert creamier and balances the sweetness a bit more.
• Mix in other fruits for a more complex flavor. I love adding some canned pineapple or peaches!
• Use other Jello flavors for some variety! My favorites are strawberry, cherry, and peach, which all taste amazing with the vanilla and cream.
• Top off the salad with some whipped cream or even vanilla ice cream just before serving. This really makes it taste like an orange creamsicle!

Orange Dreamsicle Salad FAQs

How to store orange fluff salad

I recommend storing any extra orange creamsicle fluff in the refrigerator in an airtight container or covered in plastic wrap. It will stay fresh for up to 4 days, but the ingredients can start to separate, so I prefer to eat mine within a day or so.

Can I freeze orange jello salad?

I’ve noticed that marshmallows’ texture changes when they’ve been frozen and thawed, so if I’m planning to freeze some of my orange dreamsicle salad, I’ll wait to add the marshmallows until after thawing. With or without marshmallows, the salad will keep in the freezer for about three months.

What is the difference between orange dreamsicle and orange creamsicle?

The difference between orange dreamsicle and orange creamsicle goes back to the original frozen treat that inspired my orange fluff salad! An Orange Dreamsicle has a frozen milk center while an Orange Creamsicle has a classic ice cream center. But, in terms of my jello salad recipe, they can be intermixed.

Can I make orange dreamsicle salad with fresh oranges?

I prefer to use canned mandarin oranges because they’re smaller and softer, which makes for a smoother dreamsicle salad. Fresh oranges will work, but because they’re more solid and fibrous, they’ll be chewier and more noticeable in the orange salad.

More Easy Dessert Recipes

• Canned peach pie
• Lemon poke cake
• Pineapple dump cake recipe
• Vanilla mousse