Watergate Salad (Pistachio Pineapple Fluff)
Published Date: March 24, 2023
This Watergate Salad is a light and creamy chilled dessert or side dish that’s loaded with crushed pineapple, mini marshmallows, and chopped pistachios! Ready in just 15 minutes!
Check out this Banana Split Fluff Salad for another sweet, chilled dessert that also feeds a crowd!
Serve up this Watergate Salad as a side to dinner, or fill a bowl for dessert! This cool, creamy treat is also known to make an appearance at holidays such as Easter, Fourth Of July, Thanksgiving, and even Christmas.
However, I say this dessert is way too easy and delicious just to enjoy a few times a year! After all, Watergate Salad has been around since the 1900s for obvious reasons because it’s SO good!
All About This Watergate Pistachio Fluff Salad
Taste: This dessert is a bowlful of mouthwatering flavor from ingredients such as crushed pineapple and its juices, pistachio pudding mix, chopped pistachios, and mini marshmallows!
Texture: As tastefully pleasing as this dessert salad is, it’s also filled with yummy texture as well! It starts with the creamy, luscious pudding and cool whip coating that leads you to softened marshmallows and crunchy nuts!
Finding The Flavor In This Recipe!
Each bite of this dessert showers your taste buds with so much flavor that you may be left wondering where the root of the flavor is found! The foundation of the flavor is found in the pistachio pudding mix powder that’s made with pineapple juice.
This delicious mixture then combines with the cool whip! From there, the creamy, flavor-packed coating covers the mini marshmallows, crushed pineapple, and chopped pecans.
As the dessert chills in the fridge, the mini marshmallows soften and soak up the flavors! This fills every bite with lots of irresistible flavors!
Recipe Tips To Make This Delicious Pistachio Pineapple Fluff
- No Draining – The most important step is to remember NOT to drain the juice from the canned pineapple!
- Nuts – Make this dessert salad exactly how you’d like by using your favorite nuts! Walnuts or pecans would be great variations to try!
- Fruit – Though this recipe uses 2 whole cans of crushed pineapple, there’s still room for more fruit! Feel free to add in some fresh fruit for more flavor and texture!
- Fluff It Up – For an extra fluffy and marshmallowy taste and consistency, you can use an entire 10-ounce bag of mini marshmallows in this recipe.
- Combining – When folding the cool whip into the pistachio pudding and pineapple juice mixture do so just until combined. We don’t want to overmix this salad, or the whipped topping will fall flat.
- Chill Time – If you’re anything like me, then oftentimes you want to eat your homemade dessert as soon as it’s finished! However, this dessert salad should be chilled for at least 4 to 6 hours for the best taste and texture. Or even overnight if you can wait that long! Trust me, the end result of flavor is worth the wait!
For another tasty dessert filled with fruity flavor and whipped topping, dig your fork into this Blueberry Heaven On Earth Cake or Strawberry Heaven On Earth Cake! Both are creamy, crowd-pleasing desserts that take just 15 minutes to prep.
Storage Instructions For Watergate Salad
Transfer this salad to an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator. Enjoy it for 2 to 3 days; any longer than that, and the marshmallows become soggy and mushy from sitting in the fruit juices and cream.
Can I Use A Different Flavored Pudding Mix To Make This Recipe?
The traditional Watergate Pistachio Fluff Salad is made with pistachio Jell-O instant pudding mix. However, you can certainly try this recipe with other flavors of pudding.
For a pina colada variation, try making this recipe with coconut cream instant pudding mix!
Does Canned Pineapple In Syrup Work In This Dessert Salad?
No, canned pineapple in juice must be used in this recipe. The thick consistency of the syrup won’t combine thoroughly with the pudding powder mix.
How Many Servings Does This Pistachio Fluff Salad Yield?
This recipe serves up 14 half-cup servings.
Can I Make This Using A Homemade Whipped Cream Recipe?
Yes, this recipe can be made with homemade whipped cream!
Watergate Pistachio Fluff Salad
EQUIPMENT
- large mixing bowl
INGREDIENTS
- 2 (3.4 oz) boxes pistachio Jell-O instant pudding mix
- 2 (20 oz) cans crushed pineapple in juice do NOT drain
- 8 ounces Cool Whip
- 10 ounces mini marshmallows
- ¾ cup chopped pistachios
- Maraschino cherries for topping
INSTRUCTIONS
- In a large mixing bowl, combine 2 (3.4 oz) boxes pistachio Jell-O instant pudding mix with the juice from the 2 (20 oz) cans crushed pineapple in juice (set the crushed pineapple aside for later). Whisk it until fully incorporated and there is no more powder.
- Fold in the 8 ounces Cool Whip l just combined. Do not overmix.
- Add the 2 (20 oz) cans crushed pineapple in juice, 10 ounces mini marshmallows, and ¾ cup chopped pistachios. Fold it in gently with a rubber spatula until evenly distributed.
- Cover and chill in the refrigerator for 4 hours. This will allow the marshmallows to soften and expand and really soak in all of the flavors. Garnish with Maraschino cherries before serving.
NOTES
- Storage Instructions: Transfer this salad to an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator. Enjoy it for 2 to 3 days; any longer than that, and the marshmallows become soggy and mushy from sitting in the fruit juices and cream.
- Can I Use A Different Flavored Pudding Mix To Make This Recipe? The traditional Watergate Pistachio Fluff Salad is made with pistachio Jell-O instant pudding mix. However, you can certainly try this recipe with other flavors of pudding. For a pina colada variation, try making this recipe with coconut cream instant pudding mix!
- Does Canned Pineapple In Syrup Work In This Dessert Salad? No, canned pineapple in juice must be used in this recipe. The thick consistency of the syrup won’t combine thoroughly with the pudding powder mix.
- How Many Servings Does This Pistachio Fluff Salad Yield? This recipe serves up 14 half-cup servings.
- Can I Make This Using A Homemade Whipped Cream Recipe? Yes, this recipe can be made with homemade whipped cream!
