Learning how to make Pistachio Mallow Salad is a right of passage for some midwestern kids. I learned standing by my mom’s side and it brings back fond memories! If you love easy desserts that you will be proud to bring to any gathering, try my Piggy Pie Dessert, Oreo Fluff, and Peanut Butter Oreo Dessert.
Pistachio Fluff
So apparently this is also called a Watergate Salad. I hadn’t heard that name until I became a recipe writer and was curious to know more. This recipe has been around for more years than I have been alive and consumed by many!
What is a Fluff recipe?
Typically it is an instant pudding base with whipped topping added to create a lighter and “fluffier” texture. This recipe is a pistachio pudding base, whipped topping, and the fruit of choice, pineapple. There are a few variations like the number of boxes of pudding to use, the garnish (some, like my grandma, always put a cherry on top!), and the ingredients. Some folks add coconut, some add mandarin oranges, some add chopped walnut to the salad, and some make homemade whipped topping instead of store-bought. It seems that no matter what variation you choose, this dessert is a crowd-pleaser! I have a few fluff recipes including Cranberry Fluff (perfect for the holidays), Blueberry Lemon Fluff, and Pineapple Fluff.
How to Serve Pistachio Fluff
When attending an event I make it in a big bowl and bring a big spoon. (Who doesn’t love a giant helping of pistachio fluff?) But when at home I like to serve it in individual bowls.
It is recommended that you serve pistachio fluff cold, but my experiences lead me in a different direction. I can remember many a neighborhood get-together where it was served next to jello, potato salad, and cheese balls. It has usually sat out for a bit before we got to dive in which meant my fondest memories are of eating it warm. Not saying this is the way to serve it, just that it is how I remember eating it and therefore how I like it today. 🙂
Pistachio Fluff Recipe
Ingredients
- 16 ounces whipped topping, plus more for garnish (optional)
- 1 package (3.4 ounces) instant pistachio pudding mix
- 2 cups miniature marshmallows
- 1 can (20 ounce) crushed pineapple, do not drain
- ½ cup chopped pistachios or walnuts
Instructions
- In a large bowl combine the whipped topping, pistachio pudding, marshmallows, and pineapple.
- Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and chill for at least an hour. (Can be chilled up to 48 hours prior to serving.)
- When you are ready to serve, top with additional whipped topping and sprinkle with chopped pistachio. (If you are like my grandma, you add one maraschino cherry on top!)
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Love these fun and easy recipes!
My son is adopted, he came to us when he was 4. This one dish he remembers from his past and asks for it from time to time. So i make it for him at Thanksgiving and other gatherings. He is really the only one that eats it but he enjoys it so much. He just calls it “the green stuff” and he’s 15 now. Lol
Love all your receipes
Could we please have the recipe square without adds, just the picture. The worst thing about food sites is wading through the adds to get to the printed recipe.
Thank you
In our family, we called this “Green Mud”! My recipe also added a can of fruit cocktail, drained. My daughters loved to take cherries and make a face or other designs on top!
I love this recipe, but from experience, always drain the pineapple before adding if you don’t want to have your fluff turn out runny.
We add a couple of cans of mandarin oranges to ours.
I’m going to make the potatoes for Sunday dinner as well as the Pistachio Fluff. Thank you so much for the recipes.
Do you put the pudding mix in dry into whipped topping or make the pudding first and the mix into whipped topping?
I have made a lot of your recipes.Thank you