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Add a pop of color to the holiday table with this beautiful orange, white and yellow layered Jello Salad. The orange Jello salad is layered with sweet whipped topping, cream cheese and topped with a homemade custard!
Growing up, my husband had this layered Jello dessert on his Thanksgiving table every year. It’s still a holiday tradition and the meal wouldn’t be the same without Mem’s Orange Supreme.
The creamy layer of whipped topping and cream cheese separates the orange Jello layer from a luscious homemade custard layer on top. Then it’s topped with some chopped pecans for a little crunch.
This is a great dessert (or do you consider it a jello salad?) that you can make ahead and keep in the refrigerator until it’s time for the big meal.
I finally reached out to my mother-in-law to get the recipe from her. There’s just nothing like a handwritten recipe. I love vintage recipes (this one is dated 1976) and the family traditions they represent.
Originally, she used a box of Dream Whip but switched to Cool Whip years ago. She also skipped the nuts called for in the orange jello layer because they were expensive. I prefer just a light topping of chopped nuts anyway, so it works for me!
Some of my other favorite vintage recipes include my Grandma Rench’s Orange Juice Balls, Melba’s Mystery Pie (also known as Ritz Cracker Pie), Church Windows and mom’s Christmas Cornflakes Wreath.
Ingredients needed
- orange Jell-o mix-plus the water called for on the package
- crushed pineapple-plus the juice, so don’t toss it out!
- Cool Whip (whipped topping) or try the original Dream Whip!
- cream cheese
- pineapple juice (reserved from the canned pineapple)
- lemon juice
- sugar
- flour
- eggs
- chopped nuts-we prefer pecans
How to create your layered jello dessert
Remember that since this is a layered “trifle” of sorts, you have to allow time for each layer to chill and set. You don’t want them to bleed into each other. That’s why this is a make ahead recipe perfect for Thanksgiving.
1. Start with the orange jello layer
Mix the jello according to package directions and chill until almost set.
Strain the pineapple, setting aside the juice for later. Stir the pineapple into the orange jello mixture and return to the refrigerator to set completely.
2. Make the middle cream cheese layer
Mix together whipped topping (Cool Whip or Dream Whip) and softened cream cheese. Add to top of the set jello layer. Return to the refrigerator.
3. Make the homemade custard layer
Stir together pineapple juice, lemon juice, eggs, sugar, and flour. Cook over low heat, stirring continuously, until thick-about 5 minutes. Chill.
4. Chill
Once the custard is cool, spread over the cream cheese layer and sprinkle with nuts. Keep refrigerated.
Other layered desserts you’ll love:
Orange Supreme-Layered Jello Dessert
Ingredients
- 1 box (6 oz.) orange Jell-o mix plus water called for on package
- 20 oz crushed pineapple drained, set aside the juice
- 16 oz whipped topping or one box of Dream Whip
- 8 oz cream cheese softened
- 1 cup pineapple juice (reserved from earlier)
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 2 eggs
- 2 Tbsp flour
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1/4 cup chopped nuts pecans or walnuts
Instructions
- 1 box (6 oz.) orange Jell-o mixMix the jello according to package directions and carefully pour into a large trifle bowl. Chill until almost set. (about 2-3 hours)
- 20 oz crushed pineappleStrain the pineapple, setting aside the juice for later. Stir the pineapple into the orange jello mixture and return to the refrigerator to set completely.
- 16 oz whipped topping, 8 oz cream cheeseFold together whipped topping (Cool Whip or Dream Whip) and softened cream cheese. Add to top of the set jello layer. Return to the refrigerator.
- 1 cup pineapple juice, 3/4 cup sugar, 2 eggs, 1 tbsp lemon juice, 2 Tbsp flourBeat together pineapple juice, lemon juice, eggs, sugar, and flour. Cook over low heat, stirring continuously, until thick-about 5 minutes. Chill.
- 1/4 cup chopped nutsOnce the custard is cool, spread over the cream cheese layer and sprinkle with nuts. Keep refrigerated.
Notes
Nutrition
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Sandra Cormier says
Would this work using mandarin oranges rather than pineapple? Pineapple is not my favorite. I’m going to mage it but wondering if I could sometimes change it a little
Nicole Burkholder says
Definitely! The canned mandarins, right? Same idea. Sometimes acidic fruits can mess with the gelatin but the canned pineapple works fine and so will the mandarins. We’ve done that before.
D Davidson says
OMGOODNESS! LOVE that you included the ingredients with the instructions! I always rewrite my recipes to include the ingredients in with the directions as I would use them while making. Didn’t have to with you! Thanks!
Nicole Burkholder says
Yes, I love that as a user myself. It makes it so much easier to keep track as you go. Glad you like it!
Hillarie Frech says
I wanted to try something different other than orange Jell-O so I made mine with strawberry Jell-O with sliced strawberries and pineapple and put them in the jello. Then the whipped layer and custard layer I kept the same and it was absolutely amazing
Nicole Burkholder says
It’s perfect for Christmas if you use raspberry or strawberry jello! (And I agree, I think it tastes better than orange, but orange is tradition for my husband’s family) 🙂
Wendy Hampton says
Ohhhhhh I LOVE this. Juicy flavor, cool fluffy texture of the custard! So glad to find this on your website and I think it is a dessert! Easy and sooo pretty. I wish I could create recipes like this! It is a KEEPER!
Nicole Burkholder says
I agree, I consider it a dessert as well. Even though it’s midwest/southern roots might classify it as a salad 😉 I’m glad you love it, no matter what it’s called! 🙂