The next installment in my gelatin journey was out of a 1950s Joys of Jello. This time I filled a jar with a whole bunch of different gelatin recipes to be chosen at random. I won’t lie my heart was pounding a bit wondering if this will be the time I choose a chicken mousse or a shrimp salad using lime gelatin. Luck was on my side when I drew Ring Around The Fruit as my next dish.
The dessert consists of a “ring” of whatever Jell-O you want. I choose lime because I already had it on hand and that is what they used for the one they photographed in the book. What can I say I am a follower. Then you fill the center with a filling of canned fruit cocktail, maraschino cherries, mini marshmallows, chopped nuts folded into whipped cream. Super easy!
So confession time….. This recipe included two things that I really don’t like eating. First, I am not a fan of pears especially canned pears which is found in the fruit cocktail. Second, I HATE maraschino cherries. Never have and probably never will. Needless to say I went into this recipe with a little apprehension. Still I was grateful that eggs were not yet involved.
I was surprised that I didn’t hate it. Not saying that this will be in regular rotation but it wasn’t as bad even with two ingredients that I did not enjoy. Also it all came together rather painlessly and made a pretty cute presentation. I won’t lie that getting the gelatin out of the individual rings did have me at my wits ends a bit. I did make one small change to the recipe by not sweetening my homemade whipped cream. My reasoning was that the fruit cocktail was already sweet and you were adding in marshmallows. I am glad I did.
If I was to make this again, I would change a few things. I would leave out the marshmallows as I don’t think they really added anything to the dish. I actually forgot that they were even in there. Of course no more of those maraschino cherries. Sorry not sorry! Also I think a strawberry or cherry Jell-O ring would be delicious filled with an assortment of fresh berries folded into the whipped cream.
If you try this recipe let me know how you liked it!
Ring Around The Fruit
According to Joys of Jell-O this dessert has a bright, clear gelatin ring that frames a whipped cream and fruit mixture. I think that pretty much sums it up! Quick note the original recipe doesn't give a timeline of when to make the fruit cocktail filling as it takes a while to get the gelatin to set to firm. I opted to make it about thirty mintutes before I was going to unmold the Jell-O and it worked out perfect!
Ingredients
- 2 packages (3 oz each) or 1 package (6 oz) of your choice of Jell-O
- 2 cups of boiling water
- 1 can (1 lb 14 oz) fruit cocktail drained with liquid set aside
- 1/2 cup of maraschino cherries cut in half
- 1/3 cup of chopped walnuts
- 1/2 cup of mini marshmallows
- 1 cup of whipped cream or whipped topping
Directions
- Dissolve Jell-O in the boiling water
- Measure the set aside liquid from the fruit cocktail and add enough water to make it measure 1 1/2 cups. Then add to the gelatin.
- Pour the Jell-O into either a large 4 cup ring mold or 8 individual ring molds.
- Chill until firm.
- Combine the fruit cocktail, maraschino cherries, chopped walnuts and the mini marshmallows.
- Fold the whipped cream into the fruit mixture and chill until ready to use.
- Unmold the rings either onto a serving platter or individual plates.
- Spoon the fruit mixture into the center of the ring or rings.
Quaint Cooking 
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