Orange Dreamsicle Salad

Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

Fluffy Orange Dreamsicle Salad is a fruity, creamy, and refreshing adult-ish alternative to chasing down the neighborhood ice cream truck.

Bowl of Orange Dreamsicle Salad alongside a small serving of the salad.

Nostalgic Orange Delight Recipe 🍊

I've almost always been blessed to live in the country and there aren't many things about living in town that I was jealous of as a kid.

Except in the summer when town kids got to go to the town swimming pool and the neighborhood ice cream truck stopped outside their houses.

I marveled at the selection of Bomb Pops, Fudge Pops, Push Pops and Drumsticks. But how about those Orange Dreamsicles?!

I'm almost always a chocolate dessert girl. Except when I got to go to the ice cream truck. Then I was drawn to the orange cream ice cream.

This old-fashioned Orange Dreamsicle Salad reminds me of those delicious summer treats from the side of the truck, but even better. No brain freeze and no crying fits when the summer treat lands on the sidewalk.

Bowl of Orange Dreamsicle Salad with Mandarin oranges on top.

Top Tips 💭

Make Orange Dreamsicle Salad early in the day or the evening before. Even though it's super easy to make, it does take some setting up time.
The pudding mix is added straight from the box. Do NOT add milk to the mix.

Ingredients🧾

A few ingredients followed by some time in the fridge and you have a salad to brighten up the faces around your table.

Small box of Orange Jello--other flavors can be used if you prefer cherry, strawberry, lime, etc.
Boiling water--to dissolve the jello
Orange Juice--to amp up the orange flavor
Small box of Instant Vanilla Pudding Mix--this is where the magically creaminess comes to the bowl
Whipped Topping or Homemade Whipped Cream--more creaminess!
Canned Mandarin Oranges--the addition of fruit is what allows Southerners to call this dish a salad 😉
Mini Marshmallows--because the little soft pillows bring a delightful texture to the salad

Ingredients to make Orange Dreamsicle Salad.

How to Make Orange Dreamsicle Salad ✅

Bring the water to a boil. I like doing this in the microwave.
Pour the orange jello mix into a medium bowl and add the boiling water. Stir for about 2 minutes or until all of the jello is dissolved
Add orange juice and place in the fridge for 15 minutes to partially set up the jello.
Add vanilla pudding mix and stir well.
Fold in drained mandarin oranges and marshmallows. Refrigerate for 2-3 hours
Fold in whipped topping and stir well. Serve.

Adding orange juice into the orange Jello mixture.

Adding vanilla pudding mixture into the bowl of orange juice and orange Jello.

Substitutions and Variations 🥄

Sugar-free--Use sugar-free jello, pudding, and whipped topping to make this jello salad sugar-free.

Strawberry Creamsicle Jello Salad--change up the jello flavor to strawberry and add sliced fresh strawberries instead.

How long does Orange Dreamsicle Jello Last in the Fridge? ❄️

Orange Creamsicle Jello Salad holds its shape and quality for at least a week. Put it in a covered container and enjoy it for several days.

FAQ 🙋🏻

Can I make different flavors of Dreamsicle Jello Salad?

Absolutely! Mix the flavor and fruit choices up to match your preferences. Sometimes it's fun to choose the color of jello to match the season or celebration.

Do I add the pudding mix straight to the Dreamsicle Salad?

Yes, add the powdered mix to the orange jello mixture. The liquid from the jello will mix with the pudding mix to make it creamy. Do NOT add milk to the pudding.

Can I make Sugar-Free Dreamsicle Salad?

You can certainly use sugar-free jello, whipped topping, and pudding. However, this won't equate to a sugar-free Dreamsicle Salad because there is sugar in the fruit and marshmallows. But using the sugar-free products would significantly reduce the sugar and calories.

Related Recipes 🥣

I feature lots of Jello recipes on Laughing Rooster Eats because they are fun and easy to make with so many variations. Give a few of these a try:

Serving Ideas 🍽️

Orange Dreamsicle Salad would pair nicely with so many meals. I like the refreshing touch it brings to a summer menu.

Especially with a good meaty Porky Burger and rich and smoky Baked Beans with Ground Beef. Throw Honey Sriracha Brussels Sprouts in the Air Fryer and you have a fantastic summer meal.

Fork full of Orange Dreamsicle Salad with marshmallows.

DID YOU TRY THIS RECIPE? ❤️

Lastly, if you made Orange Dreamsicle Salad following this recipe, please let me know how you liked it by leaving a comment and/or giving a rating!

I love hearing from you! I'll do my best to respond to each comment.

And of course, if you do make this recipe, tag @laughingroostereats on Instagram and hashtag it #laughingroostereats! Seeing your photos is our favorite thing!

FOOD SAFETY

Wash hands before cooking
Do not use the same utensils on cooked food, that previously touched raw meat
Wash hands after touching raw meat
Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
Never leave cooking food unattended