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watergate salad delight recipe

Watergate Salad

This Watergate Salad is a retro dessert that combines creamy, fruity, and nutty elements into a delightful treat. The mix of pistachio pudding, crushed pineapple (with its juice), Cool Whip, mini marshmallows, and chopped walnuts creates a unique texture without any cooking. Best served after a minimum chill time, this make-ahead dessert is perfect for holidays and casual gatherings alike.
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Calories: 485
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Ingredients
  • 1 package pistachio pudding mix
  • 1 (19 ounce) can crushed pineapple undrained
  • 1 (16 ounce) container Cool Whip
  • 1 1/2 cups mini marshmallows
  • chopped walnuts for topping

Equipment

  • Mixing bowl
  • Spatula
  • Serving bowl

Method
 

  1. Prepare the pistachio pudding mix according to the package directions in a mixing bowl.
  2. Gently fold in the Cool Whip using sweeping motions to keep it light and fluffy.
  3. Stir in the crushed pineapple (with its juice) to help the pudding set properly.
  4. Mix in the mini marshmallows until all ingredients are well combined.
  5. Transfer the mixture to a serving bowl, sprinkle generously with chopped walnuts, and refrigerate for at least one hour before serving.

Notes

This Watergate Salad is a wonderfully simple dessert that requires no cooking and comes together in minutes. The key is using undrained pineapple juice to help set the pistachio pudding and maintain a moist texture. For best flavor, allow the salad to chill for at least one hour before serving, or even overnight. Feel free to experiment with substitutions such as vanilla pudding, Greek yogurt, or swapping walnuts for pecans if desired.