Name: Dairy Free Raspberry Fluff (Best Side Dish!) + VIDEO
Prep time: 30 min
Total time: 4 h 30 min
Yield: 12
Ingredients: 1 container (24 oz.) vanilla yogurt by So Delicious; 1 package (3.4 oz.) cheesecake instant pudding mix, dry*; 1 package (12 oz.) frozen raspberries; 8 ounces (1 cup) Country Crock Plant Cream; 1/4 cup powdered sugar; 1 Tablespoon vanilla extract

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Dairy Free Raspberry Fluff is the most divine fruit side dish you’ll ever serve. Fluffy and ethereal, this raspberry salad is the perfect accompaniment to any baby shower, bridal shower, BBQ, picnic, or even Saturday night. There is no stage where it won’t shine. Just because you can’t have milk products, doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy this creamy, fruity side dish. (This is also naturally wheat, egg, soy, peanut, tree nut, fish and shell fish free, with a gluten-free option, making it top 8 free so even more people can enjoy it.)

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WHY WE LOVE THIS RASPBERRY FLUFF SALAD

Side dishes at potlucks and BBQs are what I get the most excited about. I don’t care about the hamburger or hot dog, but I love walking the tables at a party examining all of the various salads. I love getting a spoonful of each and sampling what everyone brought. Fruit salads are one of the first I’ll try, and one of my favorite fruits are raspberries–so a salad where raspberries are the star of course has my interest immediately. With simple ingredients, and even using frozen raspberries so you can make it any time of the year, this pink dream, easy salad is so tasty, it feels like a dessert. I really wasn’t sure how to categorize this one, because you almost feel guilty eating it with your dinner. In fact, I almost called it a dessert. Is there such a thing as a dessert salad? Where you combine the two? If so, this would fit the bill. However you describe it, and whenever you eat this berry-tastic side dish, you’re going to be in heaven.

DO I HAVE TO HAVE FRESH RASPBERRIES?

No. This great recipe purposefully calls for frozen so you’re not stuck waiting for the berries to be ripe or in season. Besides, half the time you buy fresh fruit, it’s gone bad or my kids have eaten it by the time I need to use it in a recipe. You can top it with fresh berries, as seen in the pictures, but it’s not necessary.

HOW DO I MAKE COOL WHIP DAIRY FREE?

The original recipe calls for cool whip, and that is full of dairy. To make it dairy free, you can either use a carton of Coco Whip by the brand So Delicious (found in the freezer section), or make homemade whipped cream. I prefer to make homemade whipped cream because I find Coco Whip hard to find and it can deflate more–but works if you’re in a hurry. After years of trying various homemade whipped creams (including using coconut cream) I have found the BEST heavy cream replacement–Country Crock Plant Cream. This is not sponsored, but I love it so much I always have a carton in my fridge just in case. You’ll mix 8 ounces (1 cup) of plant cream with 1/4 cup powdered sugar and 1 Tablespoon vanilla extract and BAM, you have a dairy free whipped cream replacement with that same fluffy texture.

For those who need to know what ingredients are in Country Crock Plant Cream, their website lists:

Plant Milk (Water, Lentil Protein), Plant-Based Oil Blend from Coconut And Canola Oils, Sugar, Modified Corn Starch, Sucrose Esters of Fatty Acid, Natural Flavor, Mono & Di-glycerides, Salt, Guar Gum, Sunflower Lecithin, Locust Bean Gum, Beta-Carotene (Color).

WHAT INGREDIENTS ARE IN THIS RASPBERRY FLUFF SALAD?

This easy recipe calls for:

Vanilla yogurt by So Delicious (or feel free to use whatever non-dairy brand you prefer)
Jello cheesecake instant pudding mix (just the powder–do not make according to box directions!)
Frozen raspberries
Country Crock Plant Cream
Powdered sugar
Vanilla extract

WHAT DAIRY FREE YOGURT DO I RECOMMEND?

There are various dairy-free yogurt brands out there, so feel free to use what brand works for your diet. We like So Delicious that is made out of coconuts because my boys also have nut allergies, so we can’t use any of the almond yogurts. And yes, coconut is not a nut.

DON’T JELLO PUDDING MIXES HAVE DAIRY?

This is where I get the most pushback. People assume because the pre-made jello pudding cups have milk in them that the box mixes do too. HOWEVER the Jello mixture in the box, before the milk is added is just fine. For example, here are the ingredients listed on the Cheesecake flavor (which can also give people pause because the name “cheese” cake implies dairy–but it’s all artificial flavors):

Sugar, modified food starch, contains less than 2% of sodium phosphate, tetrasodium pyrophosphate, salt, mono-and diglycerides, artificial color, natural and artificial flavors (contains barley), lactic acid, yellow 5, yellow 6.

*Please note that it now contains barley, which I never saw before, so if you need gluten-free you can swap it with their vanilla pudding mix with very little taste difference.

*You’ll notice that it says “lactic acid”. This can sometimes mean dairy, and can sometimes be derived from a non-dairy source. I personally called the company and they assured me that if the product has any dairy in it, that it will be listed in an allergen statement on the box, and to always check every box that you have as recipes could change.*

**If you ever want to use Jello pudding mixes to make actual pudding, I have a guide on how to make Jello pudding dairy free!**

CAN I ADD MARSHMALLOWS TO THE RECIPE?

Many “fluff” fruit salad recipes call for marshmallows, mini marshmallows or marshmallow creme in them. I feel like this is sweet enough and doesn’t need them. To each their own. The raspberry fluff police won’t hunt you down if you decide to add them in.

WHAT TOOLS ARE NEEDED TO MAKE THIS RECIPE?

This raspberry fluff recipe needs:

Stand mixer with whisk attachment, or hand held electric beaters
Spatula
Large mixing bowl
Plastic wrap
Airtight container
Measuring cups and spoons

WHEN IS A GOOD TIME TO SERVE THIS SALAD?

I love to serve this sweet treat from spring until fall anytime there’s a potluck, BBQ or gathering. It would also be a beautiful addition thanks to the pink color for a baby shower, Valentine’s day, or bridal shower.

DO I HAVE OTHER DAIRY FREE SUMMER DISHES?

Yes, I do. On top of this potluck favorite, you’re sure to find classic dessert and salads that are dairy free AND your whole family will love.

DO I HAVE A VIDEO SHOWING HOW TO MAKE THIS DESSERT?

Yes, I do! I love to see how something is made, and figured you would too. The video should auto populate, but if it doesn’t, it’s embedded in the bottom of the recipe card. If that doesn’t work, you can always view it on my Allergy Awesomeness YouTube Channel.

Dairy Free Raspberry Fluff (Best Side Dish!) + VIDEO

Yield: 12

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Additional Time: 4 hours

Total Time: 4 hours 30 minutes

Dairy Free Raspberry Fluff is the most divine fruit side dish you'll ever serve. Fluffy, creamy and ethereal, this won't have leftovers! (Wheat, dairy, egg, soy, peanut, tree nut, fish and shell fish free. Top 8 Free! With gluten-free option.)

Ingredients

1 container (24 oz.) vanilla yogurt by So Delicious
1 package (3.4 oz.) cheesecake instant pudding mix, dry*
1 package (12 oz.) frozen raspberries
8 ounces (1 cup) Country Crock Plant Cream
1/4 cup powdered sugar
1 Tablespoon vanilla extract

Instructions

Set your raspberries out to thaw slightly.

Place your mixing bowl (or bowl from your stand mixer), your beaters and the box of Country Crock in your freezer. Set a timer for 15 minutes.

While those chill, whisk the yogurt and dry cheesecake mix together. Set aside.

Once the timer rings, remove the things from the freezer and pour the 8oz (1 cup) of cream into the chilled bowl, add your powdered sugar and vanilla extract. Beat with electric beaters, or with the stand mixer. Start slowly to incorporate the powdered sugar, then beat on high until stiff peaks form.

Fold your raspberries into the yogurt/cheesecake mixture.

Then, fold in the whipped cream into the raspberry cheesecake mixture.

I find it tastes better if it's able to sit for 3-4 hours in the fridge. That way, the raspberries have a chance to keep thawing. The color will deepen and the berries will be softer.

Will keep in the fridge 2-3 days if covered tightly or in an airtight container. Be sure to give a stir before you serve it. Keep refrigerated when not serving.

Notes

*For gluten-free (since the cheesecake flavor has barley), use a Vanilla flavored Jello pudding mix box.

*For those who can't have lentils, you could try subbing the Country Crock for Silk's Heavy Whipping Cream.

For frequently asked questions and substitutions see the text above the recipe.

Be sure to watch the video below to see how to make it.

*Our allergies, while severe and that get re-tested frequently, are such that we can go strictly by what's on the label. I do not call companies to see what things are derived from, or call manufacturers to see about potential cross contact. If your allergies require you to do so, please do your own homework. I cannot assure you of any ingredient's safety, only you can do that. I simply share what works for our family

**If you are going to feed this to someone with food allergies, and you yourself do not have food allergies, I HIGHLY recommend having them check every single brand and ingredient you are using, to ensure they're OK with each part of the recipe. And, to make sure you've talked to them about how to avoid cross contamination in your kitchen.

Adapted from: Chelsea's Messy Apron 4 Ingredient Raspberry Cheesscake Fluff

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 12 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 101Total Fat: 8gSaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 24mgSodium: 49mgCarbohydrates: 6gFiber: 0gSugar: 4gProtein: 2g

DON’T FORGET TO PIN IT, SO YOU DON’T LOSE IT. WHILE YOU’RE THERE BE SURE TO CHECK OUT MY OTHER DIETARY SPECIFIC PINTEREST BOARDS.

Megan Lavin

Hi! I’m Megan, a mom to four kids, two with multiple food allergies & one with EOE. I’m a published cookbook author that constantly tweaks recipes to make them allergy friendly–it’s an addiction. I share every recipe & tip with the hope that they help you as you manage your food allergies & dietary restrictions. You can still be awesome, even with food allergies!