Simple Raspberry Fluff

Looking for a dessert that’s both easy to whip up and guaranteed to make everyone smile? Trust me, I know the struggle of finding something that satisfies a sweet tooth without requiring hours in the kitchen, especially when you’ve got unexpected guests dropping by or need a last-minute potluck contribution.

That’s where this raspberry fluff comes to the rescue. It’s a light, dreamy dessert that takes just minutes to put together, and it always gets people asking for the recipe – probably because it hits that perfect balance of being sweet and refreshing at the same time.

What Kind of Raspberries Should I Use?

Fresh raspberries are the star of this fluffy dessert, and you’ve got several options when picking them out. Red raspberries are the most common and work perfectly here, but if you can find black raspberries, they’ll add an interesting twist to the flavor. When shopping, look for berries that are bright in color and firm to the touch – if they’re mushy or showing any signs of mold, skip them. If fresh raspberries aren’t in season or are too expensive, you can substitute frozen raspberries – just make sure to thaw and drain them well before adding to prevent excess liquid from making your fluff runny. For the best results, try to use your fresh raspberries within 2-3 days of purchase, and don’t wash them until you’re ready to use them.

Options for Substitutions

This light and fluffy dessert can be customized with several easy swaps:

• Raspberry gelatin: Any fruit-flavored gelatin will work here! Try strawberry, cherry, or mixed berry for similar results. Just make sure to match your fresh fruit to the gelatin flavor you choose.
• Whipped topping: Instead of Cool Whip, you can use 2 cups of freshly whipped heavy cream (whip with 2 tablespoons sugar until stiff peaks form). Just note that the dessert might not stay as stable for as long.
• Cottage cheese: While cottage cheese gives this dessert its signature texture, you could use ricotta cheese instead. Just drain it well first and maybe give it a quick pulse in the food processor for a smoother texture.
• Fresh raspberries: No fresh raspberries? Frozen ones work too – just thaw and drain them well. Or swap them for strawberries, blackberries, or any berry that matches your gelatin flavor.
• Marshmallows: The tiny marshmallows can be replaced with chopped regular marshmallows, or you can leave them out if you prefer – the dessert will still be plenty sweet and fluffy!

Watch Out for These Mistakes While Making

The biggest mistake when making raspberry fluff is using hot gelatin – always let your gelatin cool completely to room temperature before mixing it with other ingredients, or you’ll end up with a runny mess instead of a fluffy dessert.

Another common error is skipping the draining step for the cottage cheese, which can make your fluff too watery – take a few extra minutes to drain the cottage cheese in a fine-mesh strainer to achieve the perfect consistency.

Fresh raspberries can release excess juice and make the dessert too loose, so gently pat them dry with paper towels before folding them in, and if you’re making this ahead, wait to add the fresh berries until just before serving to prevent them from breaking down and bleeding into the mixture.

For the smoothest texture, make sure your whipped topping is completely thawed in the refrigerator (not on the counter), and fold the ingredients together gently rather than stirring vigorously, which can deflate the airy texture you’re aiming for.

What to Serve With Raspberry Fluff?

This light and creamy raspberry fluff makes a great dessert or side dish for summer gatherings and potlucks. Since it’s already pretty sweet, I like to pair it with simple butter cookies or graham crackers for a bit of crunch. If you’re serving it as a dessert, a cup of hot coffee or tea makes a nice contrast to the cool, fluffy texture. For picnics or barbecues, this fluff sits nicely alongside grilled meats and fresh fruit salads – the tartness of the raspberries helps balance out heavier main dishes.

Storage Instructions

Chill: Keep your raspberry fluff fresh and fluffy in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It’ll stay good for up to 3 days, though the texture is best within the first 24 hours. The marshmallows will slowly start to dissolve into the mixture over time, which isn’t bad – just different!

Make Ahead: You can prepare this dessert up to 8 hours before serving. Just keep in mind that the fresh raspberries might release some juice over time, so if you’re making it ahead, you might want to fold in the fresh berries just before serving to keep everything looking pretty.

Not Suitable for Freezing: I wouldn’t recommend freezing this dessert – the whipped topping and cottage cheese mixture won’t maintain their light, fluffy texture once thawed, and the raspberries would become mushy. This is definitely best enjoyed fresh!

Preparation Time	15-20 minutes
Cooking Time	0 minutes
Total Time	60-24 hours
Level of Difficulty	Easy

Estimated Nutrition

Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):

• Calories: 1300-1500
• Protein: 30-35 g
• Fat: 20-25 g
• Carbohydrates: 250-270 g

Ingredients

• One box (3.4 ounces) raspberry-flavored gelatin
• 8-ounce container of thawed whipped topping (such as cool whip)
• 1/4 cup icing sugar (if desired)
• 16 ounces small curd cottage cheese
• 2 1/2 cups tiny marshmallows
• 2 cups fresh raspberries

Step 1: Combine Initial Ingredients

In a large bowl, add a 3.4-ounce box of raspberry Jell-O, an 8-ounce tub of thawed whipped topping, and ¼ cup of powdered sugar.

Stir these ingredients together until they are well combined and smooth.

Step 2: Add Cottage Cheese

Introduce the 16-ounce container of small curd cottage cheese into the bowl.

Stir the mixture again to ensure that the cottage cheese is distributed evenly throughout the mixture.

Step 3: Incorporate Marshmallows and Raspberries

Gently fold in 2 ½ cups of mini marshmallows and 2 cups of fresh raspberries.

Be careful not to crush the raspberries as you mix, ensuring they retain their shape and contribute their fresh flavor fully.

Step 4: Chill and Set

Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and place it into the refrigerator.

Allow it to chill for at least an hour, or for the best results, let it sit overnight.

This chilling step is crucial for allowing the dish to set properly and for the flavors to meld together.

Step 5: Serve and Enjoy

Once the mixture has chilled and set, remove it from the refrigerator.

Serve chilled and enjoy your creamy, fruity dessert!