Autumn Fruit Mold is a nostalgic gelatin-based salad or dessert popular in mid-century American kitchens. Made with lemon gelatin, canned fruits, fresh apples, and celery, it's a colorful, tangy, and slightly sweet dish that blends textures for a festive, refreshing side. Often seen at holiday meals like Thanksgiving or potlucks, it combines sweet and savory in a way that brings back memories of retro comfort food culture.
Ingredients
- 6 oz lemon Jell-O (2 packages)
- 2 cups hot water
- 1 envelope gelatin (unflavored)
- 1 ½ cup cold water
- 8 oz crushed pineapple
- 16 oz whole cranberry sauce
- 2 cups apples (raw , chopped)
- 1 ⅓ cups celery (diced )
Instructions
Step 1: Dissolve Gelatin
- Dissolve lemon Jell-O and Knox gelatin in 2 cups of hot water. Stir until fully dissolved.
Step 2: Add Cold Water
- Stir in ½ cup cold water.
Step 3: Chill Base Mixture
- Refrigerate until mixture starts to thicken (about 45 minutes to 1 hour).
Step 4: Add Fruits and Vegetables
- Stir in crushed pineapple, cranberry sauce, chopped apples, and diced celery.
Step 5: Mold and Chill
- Pour mixture into a mold or serving dish. Chill for at least 2 more hours until fully set.
Step 6: Serve
- Unmold onto a platter or scoop into bowls. Serve chilled.
Tips
- Use lime Jell-O for a greener variation.
- Add chopped walnuts or pecans for extra crunch.
- Substitute pears for apples for a different flavor.
- Serve on a bed of lettuce for a classic presentation.
Nutrition
Calories: 168kcalCarbohydrates: 41gProtein: 3gFat: 0.2gSaturated Fat: 0.02gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.05gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.01gSodium: 96mgPotassium: 104mgFiber: 2gSugar: 35gVitamin A: 104IUVitamin C: 4mgCalcium: 14mgIron: 0.3mg
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