Vibrant Fruit Carrot Cottage (Printable)

Colorful gelatin blend with fruit, carrots, and creamy cottage cheese creating a classic molded dish.

# Ingredient List:

→ Gelatin Base

01 - 2 packages (3 oz each) flavored gelatin (strawberry or orange)
02 - 480 ml boiling water
03 - 240 ml cold water

→ Fruit & Vegetables

04 - 1 cup crushed pineapple, well drained
05 - 1 cup canned mandarin orange segments, drained
06 - 1 cup grated carrots

→ Creamy Additions

07 - 1 cup small-curd cottage cheese
08 - 1/2 cup chopped walnuts (optional)

# How to Prepare:

01 - In a large mixing bowl, dissolve gelatin in boiling water, stirring until fully incorporated.
02 - Incorporate cold water and stir to blend evenly.
03 - Let gelatin mixture cool to room temperature, approximately 20 minutes.
04 - Fold in crushed pineapple, mandarin oranges, grated carrots, and cottage cheese; add walnuts if desired.
05 - Transfer mixture into a 6-cup gelatin mold or bundt pan, smoothing the surface.
06 - Cover and chill for at least 3 hours until firm.
07 - Briefly dip mold in warm water; invert onto serving platter to release salad.
08 - Slice and serve chilled.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It looks impressive but comes together in minutes, mostly hands-off while it chills.
  • The creamy pockets of cottage cheese balance the fruity sweetness in a way that surprises people every time.
  • It's endlessly adaptable—swap the fruit, change the color, and it feels like a completely different dish.
  • Leftovers hold up beautifully for days, and honestly taste even better the next afternoon.
02 -
  • If you add the fruit while the gelatin is still hot, the pineapple enzymes can prevent it from setting properly. Always let it cool first.
  • Draining the fruit thoroughly is non-negotiable—extra liquid will weaken the structure and make it collapse when you unmold.
  • Don't skip the warm water dip when unmolding, but don't leave it in too long either or the outer layer will start to melt and lose its shape.
03 -
  • Use a bundt pan if you don't have a gelatin mold—it unmolds beautifully and the center hole makes it easier to slice and serve.
  • If you want a layered look, pour half the mixture into the mold, chill until partially set, then add the rest. It creates a two-tone effect that looks bakery-level fancy.
  • A light mist of cooking spray on the mold makes unmolding foolproof, especially if you're nervous about it sticking.
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