Orange Dreamsicle Salad (Cheesecake Salad Recipe)
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This Orange Dreamsicle Salad is the fluffiest, most luscious dessert you’ve ever tried! It tastes just like an Orange Julius or those creamsicle pops we all slurped down every summer. Enjoy this refreshing dessert ASAP — it comes together in just 15 minutes!
Orange Dreamsicle Salad
Creamy cheesecake dressing and fluffy marshmallows are combined with canned mandarin oranges to create a heavenly orange dreamsicle salad.
While there are several steps to this recipe, it’s really quite simple to put together! Refreshing enough for a hot summer day and a great addition to any potluck or barbecue.
Transform your favorite desserts into cheesecake salads with my banana split or caramel apple candy versions. Both are rich and luxurious enough to satisfy any sweet tooth!
If you’re craving more citrus, I have one featuring lemon and summer berries or another made with tropical fruits and nuts for a little extra crunch.
And if this particular dessert is a bit rich for you, I have a 3 ingredient recipe for orange creamsicle rice pudding you might like!
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
- Cream Cheese – Regular block cream cheese is perfect for this dreamsicle salad recipe.
You’ll need to transfer it from the refrigerator to the counter about 30 minutes before getting started. - Vanilla Extract – Adds a little sweetness and enhances the other flavors.
- Instant Pudding Mix – I love the flavor of cheesecake pudding mix in this orange salad with mandarin oranges.
You’ll be mixing the powder with the cream cheese, so no need for the extra milk listed on the package.
You could also substitute vanilla or French vanilla pudding mix — as long as it’s instant! - Orange Juice Concentrate – This is the kind in a can, found in the frozen section of the store. Don’t thaw it first — it needs to be frozen to get the right texture!
- Heavy Whipping Cream – You’ll need a little to make the cheesecake mixture soft and creamy, then more to add the perfect fluffy texture.
Keep it chilled in the fridge until you’re ready to use it.
Want a silkier texture? Replace the heavy cream with regular milk instead. - Powdered Sugar – A much better texture for this dessert! It dissolves easily and won’t leave a gritty texture like granulated sugar would.
- Canned Mandarin Oranges – Sweeter and softer than the fresh kind — and with all the bitter pith already removed!
Be sure to drain these well before mixing them in, and choose the kind in juice instead of syrup if you’d like them less sweet. - Mini Marshmallows – Fluffy, chewy little pockets of sweetness add so much texture to this old fashioned mandarin orange salad.
Avoid using larger marshmallows, but you could swap in colorful ones if you’d like!
Tips and Tricks to Make Old Fashioned Mandarin Orange Salad
- Soften the cream cheese before getting started.
Either let it sit on the counter for about 30 minutes, or place the unwrapped block on a plate and microwave for 10-15 seconds.
This makes it so much easier to blend with the other ingredients and ensures the cheesecake mixture is lump free!
- But keep the heavy cream nice and cold!
It also helps to chill your beaters and mixing bowl, and use a metal mixing bowl if you can.
Whipping heavy cream is easiest (and fastest) with a whisk attachment, but you can make it work with regular beaters if that’s all you have.
- Adjust the sweetness.
I only a small amount of powdered sugar to sweeten the cheesecake mixture, but you can add more after folding in the whipped cream if it tastes like it needs it.
- Use Cool Whip for a time-saving shortcut.
Instead of whipping the heavy cream separately to fold into the mandarin salad, substitute a thawed container of the popular whipped topping.
You’ll shave a few minutes off this orange dreamsicle salad recipe and save yourself the extra dishes too!
Prep Ahead
- Soften the cream cheese
- Drain mandarin oranges
- Thaw Cool Whip (if using)
Kitchen Tools You Will Need
- Mixing Bowls – I like to have a variety of sizes on hand, and this set has them all.
- Electric Hand Mixer – I’ve had this one in my kitchen forever, and it still works beautifully.
- Silicone Spatula – A sturdy silicone spatula makes mixing this dreamsicle salad thoroughly and gently a breeze.
Dreamsicle Salad FAQ
Unfortunately, no. Anything other than instant won’t set up properly since you’re not preparing the pudding — just using the powder.
You may need to find it online if your local store doesn’t carry that variety.
Many other recipes use Jello as the base, but I prefer the creamy texture and flavor of cream cheese.
I’ve also found that the salad doesn’t stay fluffy for as long and gets watery a lot faster when made with Jello.
Yes, simply prepare the cream cheese mixture, fold in the whipped cream, and store covered in the refrigerator.
It’s best to combine the orange salad with mandarin oranges and marshmallows just before serving since the mix-ins will soften and break apart the longer they sit.
Storing Orange Salad with Mandarin Oranges
Cover the bowl tightly with plastic or transfer your orange dreamsicle salad to an airtight container. Refrigerate for up to 2 days and give it a good stir before serving again.
It’s probably safe to eat for another day or two after that, but the texture will become soft and watery.
Enjoy!
With love, from our simple kitchen to yours.
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Orange Dreamsicle Salad (Cheesecake Salad Recipe)
Ingredients
- 8 ounce cream cheese, softened
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3.4 ounce package of instant cheesecake pudding mix, unprepared
- 1/2 cup about 1/3 can frozen orange juice concentrate
- 3 cups heavy whipping cream, divided
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar
- 3 15 ounce cans mandarin oranges, drained
- 2 cups miniature marshmallows
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, beat softened cream cheese and vanilla extract until fluffy.
- Add the orange juice concentrate and beat until fully combined.
- Add the cheesecake pudding mixture and beat until evenly incorporated (mixture will be slightly chunky).
- With the mixer (or hand beater) running on low speed, slowly drizzle 1 ½ cups of the heavy whipping cream into the cream cheese mixture. Beat well between the addition of small amounts (add only a couple tablespoons at a time).
- Add powdered sugar to the cheesecake mixture and continue beating until fully combined.
- In a separate mixing bowl, beat remaining 1 ½ cups of heavy cream until stiff peaks form.
- Use a spatula to gently fold the whipped cream into the cheesecake mixture until fully incorporated.
- Add miniature marshmallows and drained mandarin oranges to the cheesecake mixture and fold in gently to combine. (The mandarins break apart easily, so be slow and gentle.)
- Transfer mixture to a serving bowl, garnish with reserved mandarins and miniature marshmallows and serve immediately.
Donna’s Notes
Nutrition
All nutritional information is based on third party calculations and is only an estimate. Each recipe’s nutritional value will vary depending on the ingredients used, measuring methods, and portion sizes.
Originally published June 2021, updated and republished March 2025
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what can be used instead of the cheesecake pudding, can't find it in stores here in Ontario
They mention instant vanilla or french vanilla can work good also.
Love your site !
Is it 1 or 2 cans of mandarin oranges?
Your cheesecake salads are so sweet and creamy, and the freshness of the fruit is a perfect contrast.
This really was similar to an orange dreamsicle, very sweet and delicious.
Meh. This was okay, but didn’t taste like a dreamsicle at all, in my opinion. The combination of cheesecake pudding and cream cheese makes it taste more like a cheesecake. If I make it again, I believe I would switch to vanilla pudding.
Loved this dessert. Found it a little light on orange taste, but the addition of a teaspoon of orange extract cured that.
Hi Jenny,
We are happy you enjoyed it!! Have a great day!
TSRI Team Member,
Holli
Can this be made the nite before
Hi!
Yes it can! Hope this helps.
TSRI Team Member,
Devlyn