This is my new favorite jello salad! Made with orange juice instead of water, and topped with lemon pudding, it's so refreshing and makes a wonderful side to any meal. It sets up really well too so you can cut it into squares to serve. My grandma topped it with cheese, which I would love, but opted to not this time for the sake of my son.
Pudding Topped Orange Salad
10-12 servings
2 (3 oz.) packages orange gelatin
2 cups hot water
1 cup cold water or juice drained from fruit
1 (6 oz.) can frozen orange juice concentrate, thawed
1 (14 oz.) can crushed pineapple, drained
1 (11 oz.) can mandarin oranges, drained
1 (3.4 oz.) box cook lemon pudding and pie filling
1 cup heavy cream, whipped
1 cup grated cheddar cheese, optional
Dissolve orange gelatin in hot water. Add cold water or juice, orange juice concentrate, pineapple, and oranges. Blend well, then pour into an 11x7-inch dish and chill until set.
Prepare lemon pudding according to package directions; cool. Fold in whipped cream. Spread lemon filling over set gelatin. Top with grated cheese if desired. Refrigerate until serving.
I was so surprised how much we loved this salad! It would be perfect for serving at a brunch or shower, or any holiday meal. You could make it in a 9x13-inch dish and it would just be a little thinner. That is probably what my grandma did, but she didn't specify, so I went for a smaller dish and thicker pieces.
It's so pretty to serve and that creamy lemon topping is to die for! You use a "cook" lemon pudding, so it's more custardy, then combine it with whipped cream. I have another recipe that you put shredded cheddar cheese on top of, and I do love it, so I'm sure that would be good here as well. I would highly recommend trying this if you love jello salads!
Recipe Source: Recipe from Grandma Carol Preece