I made this easy cranberry Jell-O salad for Thanksgiving and it was the most popular dish we had! Cherry-flavored gelatin teams up with jellied cranberry sauce and crushed pineapple for a fruity flavor that can't be beat.
For optimal setting, ensure the boiling water is indeed at a rolling boil to fully dissolve the gelatin granules. Pineapple contains enzymes that can sometimes prevent gelatin from setting, so ensure the crushed pineapple is exceptionally well-drained. To enhance the flavor profile, consider adding a tablespoon of orange zest to the hot gelatin mixture; its bright acidity beautifully complements cranberry and cherry. For a textural contrast, you could gently fold in a small amount of fresh, finely diced cranberries once the mixture has slightly thickened but not fully set. If you wish the pecans to be suspended rather than just floating on top, chill the gelatin until it reaches the consistency of unset egg whites before stirring them in.