Over the years, preparing and baking special healthier versions of our favorite family recipes has become a fun little “side” challenge for this homesteading, homeschooling mama.  My family has always been supportive of my hobbies and creative work, especially if it means they get to be my happy little taste-testers  in the process.
The first holiday season I spent with my husband’s family, his mother made her highly sought-after Cranberry Jello Salad recipe. It quickly became a favorite of mine. Â So much so, that I began to make it at home. Â As our tastes evolved over the years and we transitioned towards a more natural and holistic lifestyle, I stopped making it. Â That all changed, after another visit to my sister-in-law’s for Thanksgiving. She reminded me how fun and delicious this combination of flavors were. Â I knew then, that I had to see if I couldn’t bring this old recipe back to “new” life. Â Only this time, without all the artificial ingredients, sweeteners, preservatives, and dyes.
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SUPPLIES I USED TO MAKE THIS RECIPE
- Food processor (optional, but extremely helpful)
- Small sauce pan
- Large glass measuring cup
- Measuring spoons
- Mixing bowl
- Wooden cutting board
- Sharp knife (we like the Santoku style)
- Silicone spatula
- Glass trifle bowl
BONUS TIPS BEFORE YOU GET STARTED
The ingredients are pretty cut and dry. Â The only thing that may be a little more challenging to find is the grass-fed beef gelatin. Â I purchased mine on Amazon, here.
In order for the homemade gelatin to set up properly, this step of “blooming” is extremely important. The blooming process is simply adding the gelatin into cold or room temperature liquid to help plump up the granules. Â This process helps it stir easier into your food. Â After blooming, you add the hot liquid in order to fully dissolve the granules. Â Be sure not to skip this blooming step.
See how gelatinous the “blooming” mixture looks. Â This is what you are looking for.
A food processor makes chopping the fresh cranberries and walnuts a snap. Â You can use a regular knife to chop these too.
Make sure to drain the crushed pineapple as best as you can to make the dish less watery.
I love the bright red color! Â Colorful food is my favorite.
Once everything has set and chilled, the layering process is fun to do with the littles. Â I left a few homemade jell-o chunks this time, but next time, I plan on just incorporating the jell-o mixture, fruit and nuts all together.
MAKE YOUR OWN
Ingredients
- 1 bag (8 oz) of organic cranberries
- 1 package (8 oz) organic cream cheese (room temperature)
- 1 pint of organic heavy whipping cream
- 2 T organic grass-fed beef gelatin
- 1/2 cup of raw organic honey
- 1 c chopped walnuts
- 4 c organic cherry or cranberry juice
- 1 can crushed pineapple (drained)
- 1-2 T of organic sugar
- trifle or glass bowl
Instructions
- Homemade Jell-O Mixture- Pour 3/4 c juice in a glass measuring cup.
- Sprinkle gelatin over juice and whisk well. Let rest for 3-5 mins. This is the blooming (plump granules up) process.
- Next add the remaining juice into a medium sauce pan and heat just prior to a boil. Then remove from heat and add 1/2 c of raw honey and stir well.
- Place fresh cranberries and walnuts into a food processor and coarsely chop.
- Combine chopped cranberries and walnuts with both juice mixtures (bloomed with gelatin and heated juice), then add crushed pineapple (drained) into an 8 quart clear Pyrex casserole dish and set inside refrigerator for a minimum of 2 hrs to set up. May take up to 4 hrs. Length of time to firm up may vary.
- Whipped Cream- Pour 1 pint of organic heavy whipping cream into a large mixing bowl.
- Add 2-3 T organic sugar and beat with handheld mixer until it forms stiff peaks.
- Blend in cream cheese (room temperature), but do not over beat.
- Remove homemade jell-o from refrigerator.
- Take trifle or glass bowl and begin first layer with the cranberry jell-o mixture, then a layer of whipped cream.
- Smooth down with a silicone spatula between layers.
- Repeat until the trifle bowl is left with a layer of whipped cream and cream cheese on top.
- Top with a few fresh cranberries and sprinkle with chopped walnuts.
- Place in refrigerator for a few hours to chill and set up. Best served chilled and within one to two days, before the liquid starts to separate.
- Enjoy!
It’s just that simple, but super flavorful and delicious! Â Hope you’ll give it a try this holiday season.
Disclaimer: The health and wellness posts shared here on GracefullyHome.com are not intended to diagnose, treat, prevent or cure any illness or disease. The information provided on this blog is for general educational purposes, has not been reviewed nor approved by the FDA and is not intended to take the place of advice from your medical professional, licensed dietician or nutritionist.
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