This Amish grape Jello salad with cream cheese is light, fluffy, and creamy, made with a handful of simple ingredients. Often called Dreamsicle salad in Amish cookbooks, it has a mousse-like texture and a sweet grape flavor that makes it an excellent choice for potlucks, holidays, and family gatherings.
Serve this pretty salad in a clear bowl to show off its pale purple hue, or use a Jello mold for a more elegant presentation.
Why You’ll Love This Easy Grape Jello Salad
- Light, fluffy texture – smooth, creamy, and mousse-like
- Minimal prep – dissolve, chill, combine, and refrigerate
- Make-ahead friendly – perfect for potlucks and holidays
- Classic Amish recipe – nostalgic and timeless
- Versatile – serve it as a side dish or a light dessert
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Instructions
- Dissolve the Jello and sugar
- In a bowl, combine 2 (3 oz) boxes grape Jello and ½ cup sugar.
- Pour in 2 cups boiling water and stir until dissolved.
- Add cold water
- Stir in 1 cup cold water.
- Refrigerate until the mixture becomes syrupy and well chilled.
- Prepare the cream cheese mixture
- Beat 8 ounces cream cheese until smooth.
- Fold in 8 ounces thawed whipped topping (Cool Whip) until combined.
- Combine
- Slowly pour the chilled Jello mixture into the cream cheese mixture, mixing until smooth and uniform.
- Chill until set
- Transfer to a serving dish or a Jello mold and refrigerate until firm, preferably several hours or overnight.
- Serve
- Serve as a side dish or a light dessert. Store covered in the refrigerator for up to five days.
Grape Dreamsicle Salad
Many recipes called “Dreamsicle salad” use orange Jello, but in some Amish cookbooks the grape version carries the same name. This grape Dreamsicle swaps orange for grape and yields the same light, creamy, and nostalgic experience.
Whether you call it Grape Dreamsicle Salad or simply grape Jello salad with cream cheese, the result is a refreshing, smooth, mousse-like salad that works well at any gathering.
Favorite Amish Jello Salads
Jello salads are a longtime favorite in many Amish and Mennonite homes. They often appear as a first-course side because their sweet, creamy taste pairs nicely with savory dishes.
This grape Jello salad with cream cheese was particularly popular in my family for its flavor and texture. Other favorites include orange yum-yum salad, Indiana jello salad, and layered ribbon salad.
Where to Find Grape Jello
Some regions carry fewer Jello flavor options than others. Check local bulk food stores or pantry suppliers for grape-flavored gelatin. If it’s not available locally, many online retailers sell bulk gelatin packets in grape flavor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Cool Whip is sweetened and stabilized, giving a slightly sweeter, more stable salad. Heavy whipping cream can be whipped to soft or medium peaks (about 1½ cups) and folded in for a more natural, less sweet texture. Keep in mind the salad made with whipped cream may be less stable in warm conditions.
Absolutely. The recipe works with any gelatin flavor. Popular alternatives include orange, strawberry, or raspberry—each pairs well with the cream cheese and whipped topping.
Yes. This salad benefits from chilling several hours or overnight to set fully. It can be made a day or two ahead and stored covered in the refrigerator for up to five days.
More Amish Salad Recipes
- Broccoli Salad
- Seven-Layer Lettuce Salad
- Pepper Cabbage
- Spinach Salad with Eggs and Bacon
- Creamy Grape Salad
- Ribbon (Layered) Salad
Grape Jello Dreamsicle Salad is a classic Amish side or light dessert that’s simple to prepare and always a crowd-pleaser. With just a few ingredients and minimal hands-on time, you’ll have a fluffy, creamy dish that’s perfect for gatherings.
If you make this Grape Jello Salad with Cream Cheese, feel free to share your experience in the comments below.
📖 Recipe Card
Grape Jello Salad Recipe (Amish Dreamsicle Salad)
15 mins
4 hrs
4 hrs 15 mins
Dessert, Salad, Side Dish
American, Amish
10 servings
47 kcal
Ingredients
- 2 (3 oz.) boxes grape Jello
- ½ cup sugar
- 2 cups boiling water
- 1 cup cold water
- 1 (8 oz.) cream cheese
- 1 (8 oz.) Cool Whip, thawed (or 1½ cups whipped heavy cream)
Instructions
- Add the Jello and sugar to a bowl, pour in the boiling water, and stir until dissolved.
- Add the cold water and refrigerate until syrupy and well chilled.
- Beat the cream cheese until smooth. Fold in the thawed Cool Whip (or whipped cream) until combined.
- Slowly add the chilled Jello mixture to the cream cheese mixture, mixing until smooth.
- Pour into a dish or mold and refrigerate until set. Serve as a side dish or light dessert.
- Store covered in the refrigerator for up to five days.
Notes
This salad can be made with any flavor of Jello you prefer.
For best results, refrigerate overnight so it sets fully, especially when using a mold.
*Nutrition values are approximate.
Nutrition
Dreamsicle Salad, Grape Jello Salad, Grape Jello Salad with Cream Cheese
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