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–+ servings
Autumn Fruit Salad
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.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 0 minutes
Chill Time 3 hours
Total Time 3 hours 20 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 10
Calories 168 kcal

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

  • Add chopped pecans or walnuts for crunch.
  • Use orange or raspberry gelatin for a flavor twist.
  • Substitute pears or grapes for some of the apples.
  • Mix in mini marshmallows for extra sweetness and texture.
  • For a firmer set, reduce cold water by ¼ cup.
  • Add a dollop of whipped topping before serving.
  • Replace canned cranberries with fresh chopped cranberries for tartness.
  • Fold in drained mandarin oranges for extra citrus notes.
  • Serve in a gelatin mold for a vintage presentation.
  • Use sugar-free gelatin for a lower-sugar version.

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
Keyword famile recipe, fruit mold, fruit salad, holiday salad, jello salad, lemon jello salad, potluck, potluck dish, retro, retro recipes, vintage
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