Lemon Pineapple Jell-O with Pineapple Whipped Cream Topping is a light and refreshing slice of vintage wonderfulness! The deliciously sweet and citrusy stuff can be served as a salad or a dessert and served with or without the chopped walnuts on top.
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We keep Easter pretty traditional at our house most years. Ham, some kind of cheesy potatoes, rolls (like my SIL Deborah’s Knotted Orange Sweet Rolls), something green (like Green Beans with Bacon and Pine Nuts or Oven Roasted Asparagus with Garlic, Parmesan, and Lemon), and this Lemon Pineapple Jell-O with Pineapple Whipped Cream Topping.
To me having a lemon pineapple Jell-O with Easter dinner seems traditional since this Jell-O was always served with glazed ham when I was growing up.
Now it seems all vintage and I feel all circa 1950’s/1960’s serving it, but gosh I just love it and it’s so good! I’m interested in hearing of your “traditional” Easter menu foods that may not seem as traditional to others in the comments below!
I know it’s weird to call Jell-O a salad and really this is more of just an excuse to eat dessert with your dinner, but that’s how we roll around here.
The light, citrusy lemon and pineapple flavors with the creamy pineapple whipped cream topping go so well with the salty-sweet ham and rich, cheesy potatoes. They just NEED to be served together!
Besides, then you can have a REAL dessert like Blueberry Sour Cream Custard Pie afterwards and not feel guilt about having multiple desserts.
If you aren’t feeling the chopped walnuts sprinkled over your Jell-O then by all means leave them off. But the texture and flavor of the walnuts is so different and good with this Jell-O! I know it seems weird, but Jell-O is weird stuff so I say go for it and at least give it a try!
More Jello Recipes For Jello Lovers Like Me
- Layered Rainbow Jello
- Coca-Cola Jello Salad
- Orange Jello Salad with Pudding Whipped Cream
- Triple Layer Vintage Christmas Jell-O Salad
- Cottage Cheese Jello Salad
- Cranberry Jello Salad with Cream Cheese Topping
Did you make this recipe?
Let me know what you thought with a comment and rating below. You can also take a picture and tag me on Instagram @houseofnasheats or share it on the Pinterest pin so I can see.
Lemon Pineapple Jello with Pineapple Whipped Cream Topping
Ingredients
Lemon Pineapple Jell-O
- 2 (3-ounce) boxes lemon jello (or 1 large box)
- 4 cups water, divided
- 1 cup miniature marshmallows
- 1 (20-ounce) can crushed pineapple, drained with juice reserved
Pineapple Whipped Cream Topping
- Reserved juice from the can of crushed pineapple
- 1 large egg
- 1 Tablespoon all-purpose flour
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- 1 1/4 cups heavy whipping cream
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 3/4 cup chopped walnuts (optional)
Instructions
- Heat 2 cups of water to boiling by microwaving in a large glass bowl for 4-5 minutes. Stir in contents of the Jell-O package until it dissolves. Separate the pineapple juice from the crushed pineapple by draining the juice into a small saucepan and setting aside for later.
- Add marshmallows to the hot lemon Jell-O and stir until dissolved, then stir in the crushed pineapple. Stir in 2 additional cups of cold water, and pour into a large rectangular glass dish. Transfer the Jell-O to the fridge and allow to set completely, about 3-4 hours.
- While the Jell-O is setting up in the fridge, prepare the pineapple whipped cream topping by whisking the beaten egg, flour, and ¼ cup sugar with the reserved pineapple juice in a small saucepan and heating over medium-low heat, whisking constantly, until the sauce begins to thicken, about 4 to 6 minutes. Remove from heat and cool completely.
- In another bowl, beat the heavy cream with an electric mixer on high speed, gradually adding the additional 2-3 tablespoons of sugar and vanilla, until whipped cream forms and holds its shape when beaters are removed.
- Fold the cooled pineapple juice mixture into the whipped cream until combined, then spread over the completely set Jell-O. Sprinkle with the chopped walnuts and refrigerate until ready to serve.
I have never thought to have jello with ham and potatoes but I will try anything and this really looks good, especially with the pineapple .. yummy
what a simple and homey dessert
What a fun dish, and who doesn’t love jello? Love the topping too and the added crunch from the nuts
Wow! If I put this on the table as a salad, I’m afraid no one would eat the rest of the meal! This truly sound delicious. It is a perfect addition to any spring brunch or lunch.
I find lemon and pineapple just delicious combo. Citrusy and fresh, it’s perfect for welcoming the spring. Well, I must say that I’m quite interested in combining this Jell-O with the ham… I never tried that combo. But sounds really great.
My family has a dish almost identical to this we have with pretty much every holiday meal. The only differences are we slice bananas on top of the Jello, 7-Up is used instead of the water in the Jello (gives it a nice crisp flavor) and no nuts on top. Although I love me some nuts so I think I will try adding some next time. We love the pineapple topping so much we have incorporated it into many other dishes. Yum! Think I need to go make some right now!
I have a similar recipe for a pineapple jello salad. Mine has more of a mixture of flavors. The jello part uses sliced bananas, pecans, and marshmallows besides the pineapple. Use lemon-lime soda instead of cold water. Make the pineapple”pudding” as your recipe calls for, but use Cool Whip. Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese on top of the fluffy topping. Try it. You’ll love it. I have had this recipe for over 50 years. Have also seen it made with lime or orange jello, but the lemon is best in my opinion.
Thank you Juanita, my Mom used to make this salad, sans banana, but we always used cool whip and topped it with cheddar cheese. I had lost her recipe, and this is pretty close! I am going to make it for Easter!
I was raised on a very similar recipe. My Mom called it company salad because we always served it when company came. She added a cubed banana to the jello mixture and incorporated the walnuts in the jello as well. We also put the marshmallows in the jello, leaving them whole rather than letting them melt in. It adds a neat layer under the whipped topping. I love that you have this recipe! I’ve never found anything similar online. I make this for every holiday. It was my Dad’s favorite!