This Grinch Fluff is a fun, festive no-bake dessert dip that’s perfect for holiday parties, movie nights, or any time you’re feeling a little mischievous. Creamy, fluffy, and tinted Grinch-green, it’s loaded with mini marshmallows and topped with whipped cream, sprinkles, and cherries for the ultimate Christmas treat everyone can scoop and share.
Ingredients
- 1 (8 oz) package cream cheese, softened to room temperature
- 1 (3.4 oz) package instant vanilla pudding mix
- 1 ½ cups cold milk
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- 3–5 drops green food coloring, or as desired
- 1 (8 oz) container Cool Whip or whipped topping, thawed
- 3 cups mini marshmallows
- Red and green sprinkles, for topping
- Whipped cream, for topping
- Maraschino cherries, for garnish
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk the cold milk into the vanilla pudding mix until completely smooth and no lumps remain.
- Add 3–5 drops of green food coloring to the pudding mixture and whisk until evenly tinted. Adjust to your desired Grinch-green shade.
- In a separate mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and powdered sugar together until smooth, creamy, and free of lumps.
- Pour the green vanilla pudding mixture into the cream cheese mixture. Beat or whisk together until fully combined and silky.
- Gently fold in the Cool Whip with a spatula until the mixture is light, fluffy, and evenly combined. Avoid overmixing so it stays airy.
- Fold in the mini marshmallows until they are evenly coated and distributed throughout the fluff.
- Transfer the Grinch Fluff to a serving bowl or dish. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or until chilled and slightly set.
- When ready to serve, uncover and top with whipped cream, a generous amount of red and green sprinkles, and maraschino cherries for that festive Grinchy look.
- Serve chilled with spoons, cookies, or fruit for dipping, and enjoy!
Variation
- Use peppermint extract: Add 1/4–1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract to the pudding mixture for a cool, minty Grinch twist.
- Chocolate chip Grinch fluff: Fold in 1/2–1 cup mini chocolate chips along with the marshmallows for added sweetness and texture.
- Grinch fluff parfaits: Layer the fluff in clear cups with crushed vanilla cookies, graham crackers, or brownie pieces and top each with whipped cream and a cherry.
Cooking Notes
- Instant pudding is required for this recipe to set properly; cook-and-serve pudding will not work the same way.
- If your fluff seems too thick, you can gently fold in a few extra tablespoons of milk or an extra scoop of Cool Whip to loosen it up.
- For a more intense color, use gel food coloring instead of liquid; you’ll need less product for a vibrant green hue.
Serving Suggestions
- Serve with vanilla wafers, graham crackers, sugar cookies, or shortbread for dipping.
- Spoon Grinch Fluff into small dessert cups, top with whipped cream and a cherry, and serve as individual mini trifles.
- Use it as a festive topping for brownies, cupcakes, or sugar cookie bars at your holiday dessert table.
Tips
- Beat the cream cheese until perfectly smooth before adding anything else; this is the key to a silky, lump-free fluff.
- Chill the bowl and whisk before whipping the pudding mixture if your kitchen is warm it helps everything thicken nicely.
- If making ahead, wait to add whipped cream, sprinkles, and cherries until just before serving so they stay fresh and vibrant.
Prep Time:
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes (including chilling)
Nutritional Information (Per Serving)
- Calories: Approx. 260
- Protein: Approx. 3 g
- Sodium: Approx. 180 mg
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I make Grinch Fluff ahead of time?
– Yes. You can make it up to 24 hours in advance. Store covered in the refrigerator and add whipped cream, sprinkles, and cherries just before serving. - Can I use homemade whipped cream instead of Cool Whip?
– You can, but the texture may be slightly softer and it may not hold as long. If you do, stabilize it with a little powdered sugar or instant pudding mix. - How do I store leftovers?
– Store any leftover fluff in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2–3 days. Give it a gentle stir before serving again. - Can I freeze Grinch Fluff?
– Freezing is not recommended, as the texture of the cream cheese, pudding, and marshmallows can become grainy and watery once thawed.
Conclusion
Grinch Fluff is the ultimate whimsical holiday dessert creamy, marshmallowy, and perfectly Grinch-green. With simple ingredients and no baking, it comes together fast, chills while you prep the rest of your spread, and disappears even faster. Serve it at any Christmas gathering for a playful, crowd-pleasing treat.
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Grinch Fluff
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes (including chilling)
- Yield: 8–10 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian (contains dairy)
Description
This Grinch Fluff is a fun, festive no-bake dessert dip that’s perfect for holiday parties, movie nights, or any time you’re feeling a little mischievous. Creamy, fluffy, and tinted Grinch-green, it’s loaded with mini marshmallows and topped with whipped cream, sprinkles, and cherries for the ultimate Christmas treat everyone can scoop and share.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 (8 oz) package cream cheese, softened to room temperature
- 1 (3.4 oz) package instant vanilla pudding mix
- 1 ½ cups cold milk
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- 3–5 drops green food coloring, or as desired
- 1 (8 oz) container Cool Whip or whipped topping, thawed
- 3 cups mini marshmallows
- Red and green sprinkles, for topping
- Whipped cream, for topping
- Maraschino cherries, for garnish
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk the cold milk into the vanilla pudding mix until completely smooth and no lumps remain.
- Add 3–5 drops of green food coloring to the pudding mixture and whisk until evenly tinted. Adjust to your desired Grinch-green shade.
- In a separate mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and powdered sugar together until smooth, creamy, and free of lumps.
- Pour the green vanilla pudding mixture into the cream cheese mixture. Beat or whisk together until fully combined and silky.
- Gently fold in the Cool Whip with a spatula until the mixture is light, fluffy, and evenly combined. Avoid overmixing so it stays airy.
- Fold in the mini marshmallows until they are evenly coated and distributed throughout the fluff.
- Transfer the Grinch Fluff to a serving bowl or dish. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or until chilled and slightly set.
- When ready to serve, uncover and top with whipped cream, a generous amount of red and green sprinkles, and maraschino cherries for that festive Grinchy look.
- Serve chilled with spoons, cookies, or fruit for dipping, and enjoy!
Notes
- Be sure the cream cheese is fully softened to avoid lumps in your fluff.
- Chilling time helps the flavors meld and the mixture thicken, so don’t skip it if you want the best texture.
- You can adjust the sweetness by adding a little more or less powdered sugar to taste.
- This dessert is best served the same day but can be made a few hours in advance and kept refrigerated.
- Stir gently before serving if it has been sitting in the fridge for several hours.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Dessert, Holiday, No-Bake
- Method: No-Bake, Mixing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 1/2 cup
- Calories: Approx. 260
- Sugar: Approx. 28 g
- Sodium: Approx. 180 mg
- Fat: Approx. 12 g
- Saturated Fat: Approx. 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: Approx. 3 g
- Trans Fat: Approx. 0 g
- Carbohydrates: Approx. 34 g
- Fiber: Approx. 0 g
- Protein: Approx. 3 g
- Cholesterol: Approx. 25 mg
Keywords: Grinch fluff, Christmas fluff salad, holiday dessert dip, green fluff, marshmallow fluff dessert
