This Raspberry Jello Mold (Polly's Pink Stuff) is a festive retro recipe that was my grandmother's specialty served for every holiday dinner.
If your family is like ours, there's at least one and maybe more, special recipes that are always a part of your holiday menus. Maybe it's your Aunt Mabel's famous mashed potatoes or Gramma Smith's perfect pumpkin pie. For our family, one constant on our holiday menu is "Polly's Pink Stuff."
Who Is "Polly?"
(Personal note: This post was written in December 2011. Polly passed away in September 2016 at the age of almost 102. She was just as sharp and vibrant as ever right up until her passing. We were very blessed to have her in our lives for so long.)
Polly is my grandmother. My Mama's mama. And, I'm here to tell you, she is one more sport. Polly is 96 years old and has a mind like a steel trap. She is a voracious reader and remembers things from 80-90 years ago in detail that you wouldn't believe.
She's the oldest of seven siblings and all but one of them are living. I come from hardy stock, y'all. The photo of our five generations up above was taken last Thanksgiving and we all agreed that Polly looked better than any of the rest of us.
I remember growing up thinking what a glamorous life Polly led. She and her husband, my Gran Robert, lived in the big city - Atlanta - but they came to visit us often down in south Georgia. They both grew up there, but my grandfather worked for the CDC in Atlanta for years. After he retired they moved right on back to south Georgia.
I always loved going to Atlanta to see them around Christmas time. We'd go downtown where we'd see Elsie the Cow (does anyone remember Elsie besides me?) and to Rich's and ride the "Pink Pig." And to Stone Mountain to ride the train. It was pretty exciting for a little country girl.
Polly Loves to Travel
One of the things that Polly has enjoyed most in her life is travel. She and her sister-in-law, Ione, along with a couple of other close friends traveled every summer for years.
My Aunt Ione was the postmaster in her little town and always went to a convention every summer bringing the whole group along with her and turning the occasion into a couple of weeks of travel time. Those were some really enjoyable times for Polly and her friends. Lots of memories and funny stories to be told about all those travels.
Polly never was"the little wife" type. She doesn't care much for the domestic arts, preferring to read and travel and work outside her home. She was a constant presence in the local courthouse for years and years working in the Clerk of Court's office.
And even though keeping house isn't her "thing," she's always been a really good cook. She can make a pot roast that will nearly bring tears to your eyes and her Chicken Jallop recipe is famous all around our area.
One of Her Signature Recipes
This raspberry jello mold, or "pink stuff" as we call it, is one of her signature recipes. It's something that is nearly always on our holiday table and was on my Thanksgiving menu last week. And even though many of you are looking at it askance because it has jello and Cool Whip in the recipe, I'm still honored to share this dish with you.
It's as much a part of our family's holiday tradition as the Christmas tree and the wreath on the front door. And, I'd bet my next paycheck, that if you gave it a try you'd like it.
How to Make Polly's Pink Stuff (Raspberry Jello Mold)
Start by combining a large can of crushed pineapple with its juice and a large package of raspberry jello in a medium saucepan. Or any red colored jello you like (cherry, strawberry, cranberry). Or you can make this into Polly's Orange Stuff with orange jello. Whatever.
Bring the pineapple and jello to a boil stirring occasionally. Set that aside to cool to room temperature.
When the mixture has cooled, stir in the buttermilk. Mix it together well.
Then fold in a small container of Cool Whip which has been thawed. Keep folding and stirring until it is thoroughly incorporated and no streaks of white remain.
Turn the mixture into a decorative mold. Or do like Polly usually does and pour it into a 9x13 pan so that you can cut it into little squares when you're ready to serve.
Refrigerate until set. Unmold and serve.
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Polly’s Pink Stuff (Raspberry Jello Mold)
Ingredients
- 16 ounces canned crushed pineapple
- 6 ounces raspberry gelatin
- 2 cups buttermilk
- 8 ounces Cool Whip thawed
Instructions
- Place the crushed pineapple with its juice in a medium saucepan.
- Add the jello and stir together.
- Bring to a boil over medium-high heat.
- Remove pan from the heat and set it aside to cool.
- When the pineapple and jello mixture has cooled to room temperature, add the buttermilk and stir together until well combined.
- Fold in the Cool Whip.
- Pour into decorative molds and refrigerate until set.
Notes
Nutrition Information
Nutrition information is calculated by software based on the ingredients in each recipe. It is an estimate only and is provided for informational purposes. You should consult your health care provider or a registered dietitian if precise nutrition calculations are needed for health reasons.
-- This post was originally published on December 2, 2011.
SHARYN says
I do not like buttermilk at all. Does this dessert have a pronounced flavor of buttermilk?
Lana Stuart says
I wouldn't say it's a "pronounced" taste, but it definitely has the tanginess of buttermilk. The buttermilk is mellowed quite a bit from the whipped topping, raspberry jello, and pineapple.
Betsy Russell says
This sounds delicious however I am allergic to cool whip Do you think this would work if I substituted 1 or 1 1/2 cups whipped cream in place of the cool whip. Thank you for the delicious recipes. I always enjoy your blog.
Lana Stuart says
I do think it would. It would probably be even more delicious!
Dolores says
Hi,
I am going to try your Grandmother's recipe. I cannot wait to set it on my table at Thanksgiving. Thank you for sharing.
Lana Stuart says
I hope you and your family enjoy it, Dolores! And have a very happy Thanksgiving!
Miss P says
Made a version of this for Easter lunch, and used some small individual antique molds that I picked up at an estate sale years ago. I just love the look of those one serving portions, each perfectly formed. Of course, if you have to use a knife to loosen them out of the molds, because you are too impatient to wait 30 seconds to dip in hot water, just turn that to the back side!
Miss P
Jessica says
Is there any water used with the jello at all? I want to make this for Easter but am confused as to if I add the jello to only the pineapple mixture or if any water comes into play somewhere? I’m a total novice.
Thanks!
Lana Stuart says
No, no water. Just dissolve the jello in the pineapple juice as it comes to a boil. Good luck with the recipe!
Sam says
THIS WAS GOOD I DID NOT USE BUTTERMILK. JUST THE COOL WHIP.
Joan says
I have the exact same recipe as this from my hometown cookbook, but, instead, it's made with orange jello, and some nuts (walnuts, usually) are added. I called it "orange stuff".
Michael Pringle says
My family also has a "pink stuff" or a "green stuff" or a "green-pink-green stuff" or a "pink-green-pink" stuff recipe. The ladies use pastashio pudding, cottage cheese, the crushed pineapple and cool whip. They take the pudding and mix it with the cottage cheese, then stir in the pineapple that has been drained and then they fold in the cool whip and refrigerate it. It also is served with the meal. The pink version just uses a strawberry or whatever red pudding is felt like being used and continue on like before. The other two names are just descriptors of the other two. My late mother-in-law would make it green for Thanksgiving, then make it red for Christmas so her family never knew exactly what to call it.
Shirley Crabtree says
I grew up with five generations in myhome. I was surprised to learn that many of my friends never knew their great-grandparents.
A friend of mine always makes the "pink stuff" for family gatherings and church lunches. Everyone always asked her what it is called and she always just says "I have always known it as pink stuff. She uses cherry jello and adds a small container of cottage cheese instead of buttermilk.