Creamy Orange Fluff Dessert

A light, dreamy dessert that comes together in minutes and is perfect for any occasion! Creamy cottage cheese blends with orange Jell-O and whipped topping for a sweet, citrusy treat.

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In our home, fluff desserts were always one of those clever “sneaky” treats my mom would make, packing in a little extra nutrition without anyone being the wiser. Her recipes always included cottage cheese, which meant our sweet indulgences were secretly full of protein.

She would whip up these fluff-style desserts to keep in the fridge for quick weeknight treats. With their simplicity and minimal ingredients, they were the perfect solution for a busy mom juggling work and family.

Although she made a variety of flavors from lemon to strawberry-banana to pineapple—orange fluff has always been my personal favorite.

White bowl filled with orange fluff set on a white tray.

Cottage Cheese…In a Dessert?

If you already love cottage cheese, you’re sold. If not, let me convince you.

This orange fluff does not taste like cottage cheese I promise! The secret is to puree the cottage cheese until it’s completely smooth. It adds a subtle tang and creamy texture to the dessert, but all you’ll notice is the luscious orange flavor.

Three small white bowls filled with orange fluff, garnished with whipped cream and fresh orange slices.

There’s something so delightful about a dessert that mimics my favorite ice cream creamsicle without much effort. Total win, if you ask me. (It’s also why I adore orange fruit dip!)

When I went away to college, I worked as a server and actually saved up my tip money for a week to buy an inexpensive food processor from Meijer just so I could have fluff whenever I wanted. That’s serious dedication, and it shows just how much I adore my mom’s sneaky orange fluff.

Ingredients for orange fluff arranged on a beige countertop.

How to Make My Mom’s Orange Fluff

Orange fluff is one of the simplest desserts to prepare. That’s why Mom made it so often, but it’s also delicious enough to add to any holiday dessert table.

Ingredients You’ll Need

This recipe uses four basic ingredients plus one optional addition:

• Cottage cheese: Adds protein, a slight tang, and creamy texture.
• Orange Jell-O mix: Infuses the fluff with sweetness and orange flavor.
• Thawed whipped topping: Creates the airy, fluffy texture. Use Cool Whip, TruWhip, or stabilized whipped cream.
• Canned mandarin oranges: Provides sweet, juicy orange pieces in every bite.
• Optional – miniature marshmallows: Adds extra texture and sweetness if desired.

Making the Recipe

1. Puree the cottage cheese: Use a food processor to blend until completely smooth.
2. Mix in Jell-O: Transfer the pureed cottage cheese to a bowl and whisk in the dry orange Jell-O mix until fully incorporated.
3. Fold in whipped topping: Use a rubber spatula to gently fold in the thawed whipped topping.
4. Add fruit and extras: Fold in mandarin oranges and marshmallows, if using.
5. Chill: Cover the orange fluff and refrigerate for at least 2 hours to allow flavors to meld and the texture to set.
6. Serve: Garnish with whipped cream and fresh orange slices for a pretty presentation.

Chopped mandarin oranges being added to a bowl of orange fluff.

FAQs

Can I use fresh oranges instead of canned mandarin oranges?
Canned mandarins are convenient since they’re peeled and ready to use. Fresh oranges can be used, but you’ll need to supreme them to remove pith and membrane. Fresh oranges are slightly less sweet than mandarins in syrup, so the final fluff may taste a bit less sweet.

Can I make orange fluff ahead of time?
Yes! The fluff needs at least 2 hours in the fridge, so you can prepare it a day or two in advance. It will keep for up to 3 days.

Can I freeze this orange fluff?
Freezing is not recommended. Cottage cheese can separate when frozen and thawed, which may leave the fluff watery and less creamy.

Can I use other Jell-O flavors?
Absolutely! One of the best things about Mom’s fluff recipes is their versatility. Swap flavors of Jell-O and fruit to create your own variations—for example, pineapple fluff uses pineapple Jell-O and canned pineapple.