This Amish grape Jello salad with cream cheese is a light, fluffy, and creamy dish made with only a few simple ingredients. Sometimes called "Dreamsicle salad" in Amish cookbooks, it has a smooth, mousse-like texture and sweet grape flavor that makes it perfect for potlucks and family gatherings.
Serve this delightful salad in a clear bowl to show off the beautiful light purple color. Or for an elegant touch, consider making it in a jello mold.
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Why You'll Love This Easy Grape Jello Salad
- Light and fluffy texture - smooth, creamy, and mousse-like
- Minimal prep - just mix, chill, and serve
- Perfect make-ahead dish - great for potlucks and holidays
- Classic Amish recipe - old-fashioned and nostalgic
- Doubles as a side or dessert - perfect for any meal
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Instructions
- Dissolve Jello and Sugar:
- In a bowl, combine 2 boxes of grape Jello and ½ cup sugar.
- Add 2 cups of boiling water.
- Stir until the Jello and sugar are completely dissolved.
- Add Cold Water:
- Add 1 cup of cold water to the Jello mixture.
- Refrigerate the mixture until it becomes syrupy.
- Beat Cream Cheese:
- In a mixing bowl, beat 8-ounce cream cheese until smooth.
- Add Cool Whip:
- Add 8-ounce thawed Cool Whip to the cream cheese.
- Mix until well combined.
- Combine with Jello Mixture:
- Slowly add the well-chilled Jello mixture to the cream cheese and Cool Whip mixture.
- Mix until well combined.
- Refrigerate:
- Pour the mixture into a dish or jello mold.
- Refrigerate until the Jello salad is set.
- Serve:
- Serve as a side dish or light dessert.
- Keep refrigerated for up to four or five days.
Grape Dreamsicle Salad
Most "Dreamsicle salad" recipes you'll find are made with orange Jello, and the terms dreamsicle and creamsicle are often used interchangeably for that classic orange flavor.
However, in Amish cookbooks, this grape version is also called Dreamsicle salad, even though it uses grape Jello instead of orange.
Whether you call it Grape Dreamsicle Salad or simply grape Jello salad with cream cheese, this Amish recipe is light, creamy, and refreshing with a smooth, mousse-like texture.
Favorite Amish Jello Salads
I grew up enjoying all kinds of jello salads, and I still love them!
In our Amish community, jello salads were often served as a side dish with the first course. Even though they taste like dessert, they pair perfectly with the main course. (Who doesn't wanna sneak a little sweetness into the first course? 🙂)
This light and fluffy grape Jello salad with cream cheese was always a favorite (I love the flavor and texture!), along with orange yum yum salad, Indiana jello salad, and layered ribbon salad.
Where to Find Grape Jello
I realized recently that I had not made this grape jello salad since I moved away from PA. And I didn't know that it would be so hard to find grape-flavored Jello.
Most Amish or Mennonite bulk food stores carry different flavors of gelatin in bulk. And if you have a local bulk food store, you may be able to find grape-flavored gelatin there. But I ordered mine online, and I am leaving the jello link here for your convenience.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! You can use either Cool Whip or heavy whipping cream in this creamy jello salad.
Cool Whip: Sweetened and stabilized, it's easy to use and gives a slightly sweeter salad. Mix gently into the cream cheese.
Heavy Whipping Cream: Unsweetened and natural, it can be whipped to different consistencies. Use about 1½ cups, whip until thick, then fold into the jello mixture. It may be less stable in warm temperatures.
Both options create a creamy, delicious salad - just slightly different in flavor and texture.
Yes! This recipe works with any flavor of gelatin. Just follow the same steps. Cream cheese and whipped topping pair well with fruity flavors like orange, strawberry, or raspberry.
Definitely. This salad needs at least several hours to set in the fridge. It can be made a day or two in advance and stored (covered) for up to 5 days.
More Amish Salad Recipes
Grape Jello Dreamsicle Salad is a classic Amish side dish or light dessert that's both delicious and incredibly easy to make. With just a few simple ingredients and minimal prep, you'll have a light, fluffy, and creamy dish that's perfect for potlucks, family gatherings, or any occasion. Its fruity grape flavor and smooth texture are sure to be a crowd-pleaser.
If you try this Grape Jello Salad with Cream Cheese, I'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments below!
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Grape Jello Salad Recipe (Amish Dreamsicle Salad)
Ingredients
- 2 (3 oz.) boxes grape Jello
- ½ c. sugar
- 2 c. boiling water
- 1 c. cold water
- 1 (8 oz.) cream cheese
- 1 (8 oz.) Cool Whip, thawed
Instructions
- Add Jello and sugar to a bowl and add the boiling water. Stir to dissolve.2 (3 oz.) boxes grape Jello, ½ c. sugar, 2 c. boiling water
- Add the cold water and refrigerate until syrupy.1 c. cold water
- In a mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese until smooth. Add the thawed Cool Whip and mix to combine.1 (8 oz.) cream cheese, 1 (8 oz.) Cool Whip, thawed
- Slowly add the well-chilled Jello mixture and mix to combine.
- Pour it into a dish or mold and refrigerate until set. Serve as a side dish or light dessert.
- Keep refrigerated for up to five days.
Kim
Have you ever made this without adding the 1/2 cup of sugar?
Anna
I haven't, but it should be fine to skip.
Cathy
I don’t have a jello mold. Cans I make a cookie crust and pour it over it or will it get soggy?
Anna
I've never tried it. But obviously, if you pour something wet over a crust, it will get soft. You can also pour this into any dish, it doesn't have to be a mold.
Anna
Love the texture, and it's so tasty!
Renee Warren
Can you use sugar free jello for diabetics
Anna
I've never used sugar free jello, but I'm guessing that it works the same as regular. So I see no reason why it wouldn't work.