Orange Fluff
Orange Fluff also called Orange Delight or “The Orange Stuff.” Made with Cool Whip, Mandarin Oranges, Jell-O and marshmallows!
A LIGHT AND FLUFFY DESSERT RECIPE
This dessert has a lot of different names that people call it. Orange Fluff, Orange Delight, Weight Watchers Dessert, or even ‘The Orange Stuff.’ It was something my mom made often when she was doing Weight Watchers. I don’t know the point value anymore for this because they keep changing it all the time. I also don’t actually adhere to a Weight Watchers diet so you’ll want to do your own checking on the points if you are. However, you don’t need to be on a diet to gobble this stuff up!
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
Don’t let the list of ingredients deter you. I know lots of folks gag at the thought of cottage cheese being in this. Most folks don’t taste the cottage cheese as a separate ingredient. Unless they know it’s in there, a lot of people can’t really put their finger on what is different. But if you just absolutely cannot stand the thought of putting it in there – try substituting with plain yogurt.
Yes absolutely! Any of the ingredients that you can purchase that are low sugar or sugar-free will work. In addition, you can get low fat cottage cheese (or yogurt if you’re using that) as well!
Absolutely! You can have fun playing around with this dessert and testing out different flavors for sure!
INGREDIENTS NEEDED: (FULL RECIPE IN THE RECIPE CARD AT THE BOTTOM OF THE POST)
- small-curd cottage cheese
- orange Jell-O gelatin
- mandarin oranges
- whipped topping (COOL WHIP)
- mini marshmallows
- chopped pecans (optional)
HOW TO MAKE ORANGE FLUFF:
In a bowl, combine cottage cheese with the orange Jell-O gelatin mix. Stir until well mixed.
Add in the well-drained can of mandarin oranges and the tub of Cool Whip. Stir.
Finally, stir in the marshmallows and pecans.
Cover and store in the refrigerator and allow to get nice and cool. If you were to eat it right away, it would taste grainy from the Jell-O. But give it at least a couple of hours and the flavors will really come together and blend nicely. This is definitely a dessert you can make the day before you need it.
CRAVING MORE RECIPES?
- Banana Pudding Fluff
- Pistachio Fluff
- Ambrosia Salad
- Orange Creamsicle Salad
- Frozen Fruit Salad
- Pineapple Fluff
- Cherry 7Up Fluff
- Raspberry Fluff
- Cherry Pie Fluff
- The Best Fruit Salad
- Cranberry Fluff
- Oreo Fluff
- Strawberry Fluff
- Watergate Salad
- Orange Poke Cake
- Orange Creamsicle Pie
Originally published March 2011
Updated photos and republished: July 2021
Orange Fluff
Ingredients
- 16 ounce container small-curd cottage cheese
- 3 ounce box orange Jell-O gelatin
- 15 ounce can mandarin oranges, drained well
- 8 ounce tub whipped topping (COOL WHIP), thawed
- 2 cups mini marshmallows
- ½ cup chopped pecans, optional
Instructions
- In a bowl combine cottage cheese with the orange Jell-O gelatin mix.
- Stir until combined well.
- Gently stir in the well-drained mandarin oranges and the Cool Whip whipped topping.
- Finally, stir in the mini marshmallows and pecans.
- Cover with plastic wrap and place into the refrigerator to allow the flavors to come together (at least 2-3 hours but overnight is best.)
Video
Notes
- Sugar free options can be used where applicable.
- This can be made the night before it is to be eaten.
- Cottage cheese can be substituted with Vanilla Greek yogurt or plain Greek yogurt.
Nutrition
Nutritional Disclaimer
“The Country Cook” is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. If calorie count and other nutritional values are important to you, we recommend running the ingredients through whichever online nutritional calculator you prefer. Calories and other nutritional values can vary quite a bit depending on which brands were used.
Fantastic recipe!
I am confused. I followed your recipe exactly, but it turned out to be a disaster.Could it possibly be a typo? could the 3 oz of Jello possibly be a 0.3 oz packet of jello? because with 10 0.3 oz packets of Jello this dessert turned dark orange and tasted horrible. Please clarify. Thank you.
You used 10 packets? It should only be one.
There is a difference in the package weights between the regular & the sugar-free… & maybe some other brands (?). It’s a small package, which is usually the regular size on the shelves now, I think. Regular is 3 oz, but the sugar-free is .30 oz.
Hi,
I couldn’t tell from the video, did you use a small container of cottage cheese or a regular size?
I didn’t see the amount of cottage cheese in the instructions.
Maybe I missed them.
Thanks!
Hi there! If you scroll down to the bottom of the post, there is a printable recipe with all the measurements. 🙂 It is a small container though.
Would cutter up fresh oranges be ok for the cream fluff instead of canned mandarines? Would it makes too juicy?
Are the points the same if fat free cream cheese is used?
This has been a tried and true recipe for me.it is delicious and more of a desert.I have modified it a bit. Just to suit my families taste Recipe is delicious just as in the initial recipe.
Thank you so much for taking the time to comment Sandra! I love hearing that!
I was a little hesitant I wasn’t sure if I was gonna like it. I made it today. OMG it was so yummy kinda like a dreamsicle. And it was so fast to make as well. Yum Yum Yum
Yay Michele! I am so happy you braved through and gave it a try – ha! So glad you came back and left a comment!!
I would love to try this recipe but I have a hang up. I can’t handle cottage cheese. The texture gets me every time. I just can’t stand it! Is there anything that could replace it??
Hi Amanda, I haven’t personally substituted other options but a plain yogurt should work.
I BLEND THE COTTAGE CHEESE UNTIL IT IS SMOOTH. MY FAMILY WON’T EAT COTTAGE CHEESE. I DO THIS IN LASAGNA TOO. THEY DON’T KNOW AND I’M NOT TELLING .LOL
My daughter is basically on a low or no carb and sugar free eating plan. We have found it is very easy to replace regular Cool Whip with the Sugar Free Cool Whip and Sugar Free instant pudding or SF Jello, eliminate the marshmallows, rinse and drain the fruit ……….and….you still have a very tasty dessert (salad) . Granted it may not work for everyone, but everything has gotten “thumbs up” at our Holiday meals so far!!
Very tasty will serve Easter for Desert !!! 3 points on Weight Watchers !!!
Yes! Perfect Easter dessert!!
I made this but I made it with raspberries and raspberry Jell-o since that was what I had on hand. It was soooooo good. Oh and thanks for the tip about using cream cheese. as I am not a fan of cottage cheese and already had some cream cheese in the fridge.
I just started WW and they’re doing this new points system. It looks like the recipe now is 10 points? Unless you mean to use low fat or non fat cottage cheese/cool whip? Please let me know. This looks so yummy!
I just made this and calculated the points. It’s 8 points but I did not put marshmallows or nuts in it. It’s pretty good though.
If you don’t like cottage cheese try it with fat free cream cheese. Just make sure its soft. That’s how I make it.
Can a diabetic have marshmallows in this salad?
Hi Jennifer! I don’t follow a diabetic diet. It might all depend if you are Type 1 or Type 2 and whether you are on medication, etc. I would always consult your doctor about diet information or refer to a trusted source for that information. I just don’t want to steer you wrong!
I am diabetic and I make it with 2 cans of mandarin oranges, sugar free jello and no marshmallows
Tastes awesome and easy to make.
What amount of this salad is considered one serving?
Hi Argentina, about a cup. 🙂
Thank you, Brandie! 🙂
It was very easy and delicious. Thank you.
Could someone please tell me if this requires a large or small box of orange jello? Thank you!
Stephanie, it’s the smaller sized box 🙂
I hope I am not repeating this but I used sugar free Jello and sugar free whipped cream and fat free cottage cheese and I think I saved some calories and the flavors were still GREAT!
Thank you,
Margot
I just came across your recipe through Pinterest. I would like to know if it would affect the recipe if I used low-fat cottage cheese and a sugar free jell-o? Please advise. Thank you
P.S.
I am still making this either way, it looks so refreshing. Thank you
I have made it with sugar free Jell-O and fat free cottage cheese.
Also I have made it with lime jello and pineapple.
Thanks Mary!
Our family has made this for years, as salad that could be a desert. The only difference is we have never put in marshmallow or walnuts. We mix the cool whip the cottage cheese together then add the jello then the mandarin oranges. We sometimes add pineapple into the dish but most folks seem to eat more of it when I leave it out.
I love this stuff. I grew up with it called 'fluff', and would usually eat so much of it that I got sick…lol. Only differences are that I add pineapple and use strawberry jello instead of orange.
I make my orange fluff with orange jello mix, drained Mandarin oranges, cool whip. Marshmallows I'll have to try with.
This is the best desert my mom ever made and trust me she has made many many many different types of deserts before but this one has always been my favorite!
In our house we call it Sunshine Salad. So good and satisfies my sweet tooth without binging!
I have used black cherry jello and marching cherries. very good
Debi: May I ask what are “marching” cherries
I used flavored yogurt instead of the cool whip.
I love this recipe and always make some variation or other with it. I am not a fan of cool whip so I just make my own whipped cream. The gelatin helps to stabilize it so it doesn't separate. Have you used ricotta instead of the cottage cheese?
I've been making this (without the cottage cheese) for about 4 years now. I LOVE it and can eat the whole bowl by myself, easily.
The best part is the mandarin oranges. Who ever thought this up should be award a star!! Sue
I do it with 2 containers of cottage cheese–choice of any flavor of jello powder (strawberry is very popular around my house)and fruit cocktail or choice of other fruit, NO cool whip, marshmallow or nuts. If using sugar-free jello, it's VERY diet friendly!
My grandfather grew up on a dairy farm & HATED cottage cheese but LOVED this. Grandma thought he was going out of his way to be polite when he ate the 1st helping (At this point, I knew he had grown up on a dairy farm but did not know he had developed a hatred of cottage cheeses as a result!) When he asked for 2nd Grandma was beside herself & spoke up "But Les, you HATE cottage cheese!" Grandpa's reply was "I know it is cottage cheese, but this does not TASTE like cottage cheese–this is GOOD!"
I promise, even without the cool whip &/or marshmallows, it is a sweet treat! And you could probably process it in a blender to give it a creamier texture if you need to sneak it pass a picky eater who would otherwise refuse to taste it.
I make a version of this all the time, but I don't usually put the marshmallows and nuts in mine. I make it with a variety of fruits and flavors of gelatin! We love it!!
Just wondering what could be used as a substitute for Cool Whip as we don't get that in NZ. Looks yummy I can't wait to try it.
I made this twice this week. I forgot about the marshmallows but had some peeps left from Easter. Gave it a nice sugary crunch. Thank you for all the great recipes. 🙂
Will have to try this. I make about the same thing with lime jello, crushed pineapple drained, cool whip, and cottage cheese. So refreshing.
Hey Brandie, thanks for the smiles when viewing today's recipe. Back in the day, my mom got on a jag where she made this jello salad once or twice a week and would change up the jello flavor and corresponding fruit so the color would coordinate with entree colors. My brother and I ate it so much we got to calling it "medley" because it was always just a medley of this and that in a jello salad. (This is being written by a boomer who ate fancy family dinners under a color changing satelite style chandelier, so we were definitely a stylish family many decades ago!)Also enjoyed this with jello pistachio pudding as Watergate salad….thanks for the smiles!
I tend to be a dessert snob, but I decided to try this because it sounded similar to something my grandma used to make. I used fat free cool whip, fat free cottage cheese, sugar free jello, and fresh mandarin oranges (because I have a huge bag of them). I left out the marshmallows since I just didn't have any. This is delicious! Tastes just like a Dreamsicle and the fresh mandarin oranges are really good in it. I'll be making this again! Thanks!
I love this recipe! I actually use strawberry jello and frozen strawberries!!
Just made this recently and carried it to a friend who had just had surgery (along with broccoli and cheese soup). She had been saying that she wasn't up to heavy meals and she was thrilled with this. I also add the 20 ounce can of crushed pineapple and chopped pecans. This recipe makes a lot and with the cottage cheese addition it gives you a good amount of protein as well.
I recently made something similar to this for the first time. I used orange jello, crushed pineapple, cream cheese (because im not a fan of the texture of cottage cheese ) and cool whip. It is so yummy! Ive been meaning to try a cherry version with some kind of nuts. I think it will be awesome.
I Love this! I always add Pineapple to. I have never tried the orange though. I always use Strawberry Jello. Will have to try the Orange. Thanks! :o)
Does anyone know the point plus for this dish. I just made this for the first time today. I love it!
My mom who is a southern lady from Alabama has been making this since I was a boy 40 years ago. She sometimes used lime jello and that is just as good. Also a little coconut in it is good.
I have never tried this until tonight for the first time–loved the recipe! I did add a small can of "CHUNKED" pineapple not crushed, amazing, other than that followed everything else to a T. I've been on my weightloss journey since the middle of January and am super glad I found this recipe because it definately will curb the sweet tooth and taste like I'm being naughty not healthy! LOL.
One more addition makes this perfect . . . well-drained, halved maraschino cherries . . . yummmm!
This sounds really good. Have tried something similar. For low carvers and diabetics out there:
Small container of heavy whipping cream, any flavor of sugar free jello, splenda, you can add cottage cheese if you like. Whip up whipping cream and jello until fluffy, adding splenda to taste. Good stuff! Easy too!
I use lime jello with crushed pineapple and pecans or Strawberry with fruit cocktail which is yummy too.
I hate cottage cheese but I love this recipe. My grandmother has made this for every holiday since I can remember, 30+ years. We don't put marshmallows in it though. We do put crushed pineapples(well-drained) and we make it with and without pecans, to please all family members. She has always called it Orange Conjealed Salad.
I make it the same way. My Aunt use yo make it for me when I was a kid some 45 years ago.I never knew it had cottage cheese in it. Probably a good thing back then.
If you use cooked and cooled rice instead of cottage cheese you have Glorified Rice. I learned to make it from my boss when I was a waitress at the ripe old age of 16. She made it for every Sunday buffet.
We know it as "Orange Love Affair", don't know why…. but I also switch it up by using different flavors…. Strawberries with strawberry jello, Cherries with cherry jello, pineapples with lime or lemon jello etc.. It is awesome!!!
In our family my husband loves this dish and refers to it as fluff.