Fresh from the Kitchen: Recipes & Food Inspiration
- Fluffy, addictive texture from mix-ins: pistachio pudding, crushed pineapple, mini marshmallows, and chopped pistachios.
- Use Cool Whip as the base for stability; whipped cream works but lacks stabilizers to keep it airy.
- Crushed pineapple can loosen the fluff; add right before serving or refrigerate to allow it to firm up.
- Easy assembly: fold pistachio pudding into Cool Whip, then fold in pineapple, marshmallows, and chopped pistachios; chill.
Pistachio fluff (also know as pistachio pudding, Watergate salad, and pistachio salad) is a simple no bake dessert that’s perfect for serving a crowd. With only a few ingredients this easy dessert is whipped up in time!
Recipe Highlights
- How it taste: Pistachio fluff like most fluffs consist of several different flavors because of their add-ins. Pistachio fluff has crushed pineapple, marshmallows, chopped pistachios and is made with pistachio pudding. One thing great about fluffs is their texture. You get the fluffiest of the dessert but a ton of different textures that makes it very addicting to eat.
- Skill level: Fluff’s are super easy to make. Honestly, they are a great recipe to make with the kids like Rice Krispie treats!
- Storing: Pistachio fluff needs to be stored in the fridge but it’s great for freezing as well.
Ingredient tips
- Cool whip: This is the base and the foundation of the entire recipe. You can make it whipped cream with heavy cream of course but cool whip has added stabilizes to keep the air in it so it’s always fluffy.
- Pistachio pudding: This boost the sweetness and the pistachio flavor. In most pistachio products the pistachio flavor is really almond extract. Pistachio isn’t a strong flavor alone and for an authentic pistachio paste or butter is super expensive.
- Crushed pineapple: Crushed is recommend so that it blends with the cool whip and pistachio pudding. It creates a nice flavor together. If you opt for fresh pineapple, try to save the juices as you cut it to add into the pistachio pudding.
- Pistachios: This will make the fluff slightly more expensive but the touch of real pistachios and the crunch they bring are unmatched.
- Mini marshmallows: Mini only so that they mix in well with the fluff. You don’t want to use marshmallow fluff either because I promise you it’ll over power every flavor in the dessert.
Chef’s tips
- Honestly, with fluff’s they are meant to be fun. This is a base recipe but have fun with any mix-in you’d like. The only ingredients that I suggest you don’t change are the cool whip and the pistachio pudding because they are the structure of the recipe.
- The crushed pineapple can effect how firm the pistachio fluff comes. If you want you can skip the crushed pineapple until right before serving. The crushed pineapple will release it’s juices as it sits causing the fluff to have a looser texture.
How To Make Pistachio Fluff
- First, add the cool whip into a bowl, then mix in the pistachio pudding. After mixed, fold in the crushed pineapple.
- Now, fold in the mini marshmallow and the chopped pistachio.
- Allow to sit in the fridge for a while to firm up some then you’re ready to serve. The cherry on top in the photos is simple to make is look pretty, you can add that as well if serving to a crowd.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is pistachio fluff made of?
Pistachio fluff isn’t very much different than other fluff desserts. Marshmallow, a pudding and cool whip are always an ingredient. But this recipe uses crushed pineapple, pistachio pudding and chopped pistachios.
Why is pistachio fluff called Watergate salad?
They are the same thing and comes from a base of cool whip and pistachio. The cake was the original Watergate recipe but other adaptions came along the way. According to Wikipedia, customer started to call the famous cake by this name because they cake came out during the time of the scandal.
How long does pistachio fluff last?
This recipe will keep in the fridge for several days. The ingredients used are very shelf stable minus the crushed pineapple. Due to that ingredient, I wouldn’t push the recipe more than 3-4 days.
More fluff recipes
Pistachio recipes to add to your list
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Pistachio Fluff
Pistachio fluff (also know as pistachio pudding, Watergate salad, and pistachio salad) is a simple no bake dessert that’s perfect for serving a crowd.
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- 5 ounce pudding mix (pistachio)
- 16 ounce cool whip
- 10.5 ounce marshmallow (mini)
- 1 cup pistachio (chopped)
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Start by blending together the cool whip and pistachio pudding mix.
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Once combined fold in the crushed pineapple. Then, fold in the mini marshmallows and the chopped pistachios.
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Place in the fridge covered for an hour or two then you’re ready to serve.
Calories: 285kcal | Carbohydrates: 52g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 7mg | Sodium: 147mg | Potassium: 179mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 37g | Vitamin A: 130IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 64mg | Iron: 1mg
Number of total servings shown is approximate. Actual number of servings will depend on your preferred portion sizes.
Nutritional values shown are general guidelines and reflect information for 1 serving using the ingredients listed, not including any optional ingredients. Actual macros may vary slightly depending on specific brands and types of ingredients used.
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