Creamsicle Orange Cheesecake Fluff Salad
Creamsicle Orange Cheesecake Fluff Salad is an easy no bake orange dessert made with cream cheese, orange Jello, Cool Whip and mandarin oranges for a light, fluffy cheesecake salad with a refreshing creamsicle flavor that's perfect for summer holidays, picnics, potlucks and backyard BBQs.
If you enjoy easy dessert salads, be sure to try my Pineapple Fluff Salad, Blueberry Cheesecake Fluff Salad and one of my readers' favorites, Strawberry Banana Fluff Salad. They're all simple, refreshing desserts that are perfect for sharing.
Quick Look: Creamsicle Orange Cheesecake Fluff Salad
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Chill Time: 2 hours
- Total Time: 2 hours 10 minutes
- Servings: 6
- Calories: 422 per serving
- Flavor Profile: Sweet, creamy, and refreshing with classic creamsicle flavor.
- Difficulty: Easy
- Why this Works: No baking, simple ingredients, and ready in minutes.
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Key Ingredients
CREAM CHEESE
Cream cheese creates the rich cheesecake flavor and gives this fluff salad its smooth, creamy texture. Let it soften at room temperature before mixing so it blends easily without any lumps. I use it in many of my favorite desserts, including this Strawberry Jello Pretzel Salad.
ORANGE JUICE
Orange juice adds fresh citrus flavor while helping dissolve the gelatin mixture. Freshly squeezed orange juice tastes wonderful, but a good quality store-bought orange juice works just as well.
ORANGE JELLO MIX
Orange Jello mix gives this dessert its bright orange color and classic creamsicle flavor while helping the filling set as it chills. If you enjoy desserts made with flavored gelatin, you'll also love this The Easiest Lemon Cheesecake.
COOL WHIP
Cool Whip keeps the mixture light and fluffy while balancing the richness of the cream cheese. Fold it in gently to maintain that soft, airy texture everyone loves in a fluff salad.
MANDARIN ORANGES
Mandarin oranges bring natural sweetness, juicy bites, and even more citrus flavor. Be sure to drain them well so they don't add excess liquid to the salad.
MINI MARSHMALLOWS
Mini marshmallows add sweetness and that classic fluffy texture. As the salad chills, they soften slightly, making every bite even creamier.
How To Make Orange Cheesecake Fluff Salad
Step 1 - Beat the Cream Cheese Mixture
In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese, Greek yogurt, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until completely smooth and creamy.
Step 2 - Add the Orange Flavor
Pour in the orange juice and add the orange Jello mix. Continue mixing until the gelatin is completely dissolved and the mixture is smooth and evenly colored.
Step 3 - Beat in the Cool Whip
Add the Cool Whip and beat on low speed just until everything is combined. The mixture should look light, creamy, and fluffy.
Step 4 - Fold in the Fruit and Marshmallows
Using a rubber spatula, gently fold in the drained mandarin oranges and mini marshmallows. Cover the bowl and refrigerate before serving.
Expert Tips
Don't skip the chilling time.
This dessert needs time in the refrigerator so the flavors can blend together and the texture can firm up. While it's tempting to serve it right away, chilling for at least 2 hours makes a noticeable difference. I follow the same approach in my Red, White and Blue Cheesecake Salad, where a little patience results in a much creamier dessert.
Drain the mandarin oranges really well.
Even a small amount of extra liquid can make the salad thinner than it should be. After draining, let the oranges sit in a colander for a few minutes or gently pat them dry with paper towels.
Use softened cream cheese.
Cold cream cheese is difficult to mix and often leaves small lumps in the filling. Let it sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes before you begin.
Mix the Jello until fully dissolved.
Take an extra minute to beat the orange Jello mix into the orange juice and cream cheese mixture. This helps create a smooth, creamy texture and evenly distributes the orange flavor.
If the salad seems too thin...
The consistency can vary slightly depending on the brand of Greek yogurt or the amount of juice released from the oranges. If you'd like a thicker texture, whisk in 1 to 2 tablespoons of instant vanilla pudding mix. It thickens beautifully without changing the flavor, just like it does in my Coconut Pineapple Cream Cheese Frosting.
Fold in the oranges gently.
Mandarin oranges are delicate and can break apart if stirred too vigorously. Folding them in at the end helps them keep their shape.
Creamsicle Orange Fluff Salad FAQs
Yes! In fact, it's even better after chilling for a few hours. Making it the night before gives the flavors time to blend and allows the marshmallows to soften slightly.
You can, but the texture will be softer and the salad won't hold up as long. Stabilized whipped cream is the best substitute if you prefer not to use Cool Whip.
Greek yogurt adds a slight tang that balances the sweetness while making the filling extra creamy. Sour cream can be substituted, although the flavor will be a little richer.
Yes, as long as they're peeled well and all of the membranes and seeds are removed. Mandarin oranges are sweeter and more tender, which is why they work especially well in this recipe.
The most common causes are undrained mandarin oranges, cream cheese that wasn't fully blended, or not chilling the salad long enough. If needed, you can stir in a little instant vanilla pudding mix to thicken it.
Creamsicle Orange Cheesecake Fluff Salad
Ingredients
- 16 oz Cream cheese softened
- ½ cup Greek yogurt
- 1 cup Orange juice
- 3 oz Jell-O Orange Gelatin Dessert Mix
- ½ teaspoon Vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoon powdered sugar
- 2 cups Cool whip
- 2 cups Mini marshmallows
- 15 oz can mandarin oranges drained
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese, Greek yogurt, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy.
- Add the orange juice and orange Jello mix, then beat until the gelatin is completely dissolved and the mixture is smooth.
- Add the Cool Whip and beat on low speed just until combined.
- Gently fold in the drained mandarin oranges and mini marshmallows. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or until chilled and thickened, before serving.
Video
Notes
- Make sure the cream cheese is fully softened before mixing to ensure a smooth, lump-free filling.
- Drain the mandarin oranges well to prevent excess liquid from thinning the salad.
- Chill for at least 2 hours before serving for the best flavor and texture.
- If the salad is thinner than you'd like, stir in 1 to 2 tablespoons of instant vanilla pudding mix until it reaches your desired consistency.
- Gently fold in the mandarin oranges to keep them from breaking apart.
