Before the freshest strawberries are outta season – grab a couple of strawberry hallocks to make this refreshing strawberry banana gelatin salad. It’s very strawberry-ish with a hint of banana and pineapple…the surprising sour cream center makes it especially (dreamy and) creamy!
This salad is so retro too…we’ve been enjoying it in the summertime and on special occasions (looks spectacular on a Christmas buffet table 😉 for over 20 years and it’s been that many years or more for my husband’s family.
If you are into yummy food and or have the desire to start a tradition with a family recipe…this strawberry banana gelatin salad is a keeper, for sure! Serve up this gelatin salad in a rectangular pan or a pretty round bowl for buffets and potlucks – you’ll score lots of ooh’s and ahh’s!
When it’s just hubs and I at home servings in individual dessert cups, covered and refrigerated, stay fresh and tasty for a week to ten days (as if they have ever lasted that long). Here’s the recipe…passed onto a new generation.
Strawberry Banana Gelatin Salad Recipe
Recipe type: Salads
A very strawberry summertime and special occasion salad that is one of our all-time family favorites.
Ingredients
- 6 oz strawberry banana gelatin (lg box)
- 2 cups boiling water
- 4 cups fresh strawberries; quartered
- 2 medium-sized bananas; a tinge over-ripe, peeled and broken into chunks
- 8 oz can crushed pineapple; well drained
- 1 cup walnuts; chopped, optional
- Sour cream
Instructions
- Pour boiling water over the gelatin in a large bowl, stir to dissolve the gelatin, and set aside to cool.
- In a small bowl add sliced strawberries and chunks of bananas. With the back of a fork smash strawberries and bananas until well blended and slightly chunky. Stir in drained pineapple.
- Add fruit mixture into gelatin, and stir until well blended.
For Individual Salads
- Pour 1/3 cup of fruit and gelatin mixture into each dessert cup, chill-filled cups in the refrigerator until set (about 30 minutes).
- Cover the remaining fruit gelatin, and leave it on the counter.
- Spread a heaping tablespoon of sour cream over chilled salad, pour 1/3 cup of fruit and gelatin mixture on top and chill until set (about 30 mins).
- Serve immediately after covering and refrigerating.
For Potluck Style Salad
- Pour 1/2 of the fruit and gelatin mixture into a 9×9 rectangular dish or round serving bowl, and chill until set (about 45 minutes).
- Cover the remaining fruit gelatin, and leave it on the counter.
- Spread 1/2 pint or more of sour cream over chilled salad. (We are fond of more 😉
- Pour the remaining fruit and gelatin mixture on top and chill until set (about 45 minutes).
- Serve immediately after covering and refrigerating.
- For the rectangular dish: cut into squares; using a spatula, scoop out onto dessert plates. For a round bowl: simply place it on the table with a serving spoon.
Short Tip
When fresh strawberries are not available I use my own frozen strawberries or two unsweetened and sliced 10 oz freezer packs; thaw, don’t drain off liquid.