When the days get hot, a fruit and nuts lime jello mold is fabulous cool treat to end a long summer day.
Here’s another recipe that I found in my mom’s recipe box that was handwritten on a piece of scratch paper. What I really like about this recipe is that it’s not an overly sweet dessert. It has just the right amount of sweetness without going overboard. So, for those that aren’t into sweet desserts, this may be the right treat for you!
A cool and light summer dessert - Fruit & Nuts Lime Jello Mold recipe
Since this recipe is super easy, I didn’t take any photos of the process. Sorry. It’s pretty much dumping ingredients in a bowl and waiting for things to chill. However, what I did want to mention is that I used a 6 cup Jello mold for this recipe and everything fit perfectly inside the mold. If you don’t have a Jello mold, you can use a large bowl or a bundt pan.
Before I get to the recipe, I want to give a warning. There is one ingredient in this fruit and nuts lime Jello mold that may be a surprise. It’s not something I’ve ever put together with Jello. Drum roll please……….it’s mayonnaise! Yup, there’s mayo in this recipe!
Can you make this without mayo? Yes, but there is a taste difference. It’s subtle, but the mayo actually helps blend the taste of the cottage cheese and Jell-O. When made without the mayo, you can distinctly taste the cottage cheese and Jell-O. After trying this recipe with and without mayo, I prefer it with the mayo.
Update 7/5/2019: I’ve made this with strawberry Jell-O and I prefer it over lime, but my husband prefers the lime. Try this recipe with your favorite Jell-O flavor and see what you like best.
Recipe Helpers:
Fruit and Nut Lime Jello Mold
Lime Jello with cottage cheese, fruits, and nuts.
Ingredients
- 1 - 6 oz. pkg. Lime Jell-O (can be substituted with strawberry)
- 1 cup - hot water
- 1 cup - evaporated milk
- 1/2 cup - mayonnaise
- 1/2 cup -chopped walnuts
- 2 cups - 30 oz. can fruit cocktail (drained)
- 1 cup - cottage cheese
- optional - 2T. finely chopped walnuts for topping
Instructions
- Combine Jell-O in water and let slightly cool.
- Mix in evaporated milk. Cover and chill about 30-45 minutes or until soft set.
- Fold in remaining ingredients and place in mold. Tap mold on counter several times to fill in gaps. Chill until firm, about 3-4 hours.
- Remove jello from mold and top with finely chopped walnuts (optional).
Notes
- Can be made 2-3 days in advance if kept covered.
- 6 cup Jell-O mold is used in this recipe.
- There will be some fruit cocktail leftover from the 30 oz. can. Eat the leftover with leftover cottage cheese or eat as-is. Fruit cocktail juice can be frozen and used for shaved ice.
- Another option is to use a 17 oz. can fruit cocktail (drained) if you don't want any leftover fruit cocktail. There will be less fruit to Jello ratio.
- If you prefer a sweeter dessert, do 1 cup fruit cocktail and 1 cup mini fruit marshmallows.
I love trying vintage recipes like this. The ingredient lists often seem strange, but they work!
Thanks Carlee. You’re so right. When I saw mayo, I was doubtful and when you taste it before it sets you can taste it. But once it’s set, the mayo helps mellow out the cottage cheese and blends the Jello flavor with it.