Strawberry Fluff Fruit Salad

Technically, this recipe was supposed to be Orange Fluff Salad, but we didn't have Orange jello. Since the criteria for our Family Potluck Dinner Extravaganza was to use ingredients we had on hand, we swapped it out for Strawberry.  Garrett, age 7, also insisted that we add mandarin oranges and marshmallows even though it wasn't called for in the original recipe. Since he was the chef on duty (and because his request wasn't too outrageous!) we decided to let our inner rebels run wild! This salad was really delicious and easy. It does require prepping a few hours ahead so it has enough time to chill.

Ingredients:

• 20 oz can of crushed pineapple
• small box of orange Jello
• 8 oz of cream cheese
• 8 oz of whipped topping
• 2 small cans mandarin oranges (optional)
• mini marshmallows (optional)

 Add entire can of pineapple (undrained) to a sauce pan and bring to a boil.  Add orange jello and stir well.  Boil about 2 minutes. Cube cream cheese and add that to jello mixture.  Stir until most of cream cheese is melted.  Pour into a large flat dish and put in the freezer or refrigerator.  Once your mixture starts to congeal, remove and stir in the 8 oz package of whipped topping.  Put your dish in the refrigerator to set up for at least 3 hours before serving.