Coke Salad
Submitted by chefete
Coke salad made with cherry Jello, dark sweet cherries, crushed pineapple, pecans, and cola. A retro Southern gelatin salad that belongs at every potluck.
YIELD
2 servingsPREP
10 minCOOK
10 minREADY
20 minIf you grew up going to church suppers or family reunions in the South, you already know this one. Coke salad is a Jello mold that uses cola as part of the liquid, and the carbonation gives the set gelatin a lighter, almost fizzy texture you will not get from plain water.
Cherry Jello is the base, and it gets loaded with dark sweet cherries, crushed pineapple, and a full cup of pecans. The fruit juices replace part of the water, so every spoonful is packed with flavor instead of just wobbly sweetness.
Drain the canned fruit well before measuring. Too much extra liquid and the salad will not set firmly enough to hold its shape on the plate.
Chef Tips
- Let the Jello dissolve completely in the hot liquid before adding anything else. Undissolved granules make the texture grainy.
- Add the cola last, and stir gently. Aggressive stirring knocks out all the carbonation, and those tiny bubbles are part of what makes Coke salad special.
- Chill until fully set, at least 4 hours or overnight. Rushing this step gives you a loose, soupy result.
- Use full-sugar cola, not diet. Diet sweeteners break down and can leave a bitter aftertaste in the set Jello.
Variations
- Add a layer of cream cheese beaten with a little sour cream on top after setting for an old-school finishing touch.
- Use Dr Pepper or cherry cola instead of regular Coke for a deeper fruit flavor.
- Fold in mini marshmallows with the fruit for extra Southern charm.
Ingredients
Directions
Drain juice off of the cherries and pineapple and add enough water to make 2 cups of liquid and heat until boiling.
Pour liquid over Jello and stir until well dissolved, then add cherries, pineapple, nuts and cola.
Chill.
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