In my family, we make marshmallow salad for all our holidays. It’s simple and so delicious. Some links in this post earn me a commission if you purchase through them.
There are some foods that are just a family tradition. I know that every time we have New Years, my family will make Bunsteads (a hot ham salad sandwich). I know that I will make my lasagne on Christmas Eve.
Christmas Day and Thanksgiving will always include both ham and turkey. And all those occasions also have another traditional dish, something my maternal grandmother used to make. We will always have Marguerite Salad, my family’s version of marshmallow salad.
This simple marshmallow salad has soft marshmallows that absorb the thick sauce. The pineapple adds a sweet flavor and different texture, and the cherries on top. Well… they’re the cherry on top!
Pro tip: Make these with full size marshmallows, not the minis. This marshmallow salad tastes better this way, and yes, I tested it. Repeatedly. I’m that kind of giving person.
If you choose, add your favorite ingredients. I’ve shared this recipe with friends who added shredded coconut, mandarin orange pieces, and more. Me? I prefer the simple classic, but make this marshmallow salad your own.
Just like my grandmother did when she created her Marguerite salad so many years ago!
How to Make Marguerite Salad, A Simple Marshmallow Salad
If you haven’t already thawed your COOL WHIP, take it out of the freezer now. Mix the sugar and flour in a sauce pan over medium low heat. Add the pineapple juice and stir until dissolved.
Whisk the eggs in a separate bowl, then add them to the juice. Continue to heat until the mixture boils, stirring occasionally.
When it starts boiling, stir constantly until it thickens into a nice sauce. Remove from the stove and cool in the fridge for two hours.
While the sauce for your marshmallow salad cools, use kitchen scissors to cut marshmallows in half. You can also use a bread knife, if you prefer. Know that this process gets sticky, but it’s necessary and doesn’t really make a mess.
Drain the cherries, and let sit on a paper towel to ensure the juice doesn’t drip throughout the salad later.
Add thawed COOL WHIP to the sauce after it cools. I leave it in the same saucepan and simply stir it in. Don’t add it until the sauce has thoroughly cooled, however, or it melts and changes the end texture of the salad.
Add pineapple and marshmallows to a mixing bowl, then pour the sauce on top. Stir with a spatula until well coated. Place into your serving bowl and chill until it’s time to serve.
This is best made a few hours to a day in advance to let the marshmallows soften more without the sauce breaking apart.
Do you have a family classic like Marguerite Salad?
Maguerite Salad: A Marshmallow Salad
Ingredients
- 10 1/2 ounces large marshmallows
- 20 ounces pineapple chunks in a can – save the juice
- 2 tablespoons gravy flour
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 2 eggs
- 6 ounces COOL WHIP
- 12 maraschino cherries
Instructions
- Mix sugar and flour in a sauce pan over medium low heat. Add pineapple juice and stir until dissolved.3/4 cup sugar, 2 tablespoons gravy flour
- Whisk eggs in a separate bowl, then add to juice. Continue to heat until the mixture boils, stirring occasionally.2 eggs
- When it starts boiling, stir constantly until it thickened. Remove from stove and cool in the fridge for two hours.
- While the sauce cools, cut marshmallows in half. Drain the cherries, and let sit on a paper towel.10 1/2 ounces large marshmallows, 12 maraschino cherries
- Add COOL WHIP to sauce after it cools and stir together.6 ounces COOL WHIP
- Add pineapple and marshmallows to a mixing bowl, then pour the sauce on top. Stir until well coated. Place into serving bowl and chill until time to serve.20 ounces pineapple chunks in a can – save the juice
Notes
- If you don't have gravy flour, you can use regular flour in a pinch.
- The full size marshmallows taste best in this recipe - they're the right size when you cut them in half and make the perfect texture. Small marshmallows work if you need to use them, but they aren't ideal.
- This tastes great as is, but feel free to dress it up more with your favorite flavors - shredded coconut, mandarin slices, or even chopped nuts.
- For more tips and tricks, be sure to read the full article above.
Nutrition
This site uses an online source to provide nutrition estimates as a courtesy. If you need exact values, please calculate yourself.
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I think I had this for the first time very recently, except it was with mandarin oranges instead of pineapple. Now I have a recipe to try if I'm ever in the mood for this salad. Thanks for sharing!
This looks yummy and easy to make.
When I saw the title of this recipe, I thought it was something entirely different. This was a wonderful surprise. I will be making this very soon.
(I thought it was like a marguerite pizza with tomatoes and mozzarella.)