Molded seafoam salad on a white plate, light green in color with a scalloped edge. Topped with dollops of whipped cream and a single red maraschino cherry in the center for garnish.

Seafoam salad is a sweet, fluffy dessert made with lime Jello, pears, and marshmallows. Serve it chilled for a colorful, nostalgic treat.

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Table of Contents

Seafoam Salad Ingredients
Tips For Getting Perfect Results
Serving Ideas for Seafoam Salad
You'll Love This Hidden Pear Salad Recipe
FAQs About Seafoam Salad
Storage FAQ
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Table of Contents

Seafoam salad is a nostalgic favorite that’s always stayed around, just waiting for its comeback.

Light and creamy with a sweet lime-pear flavor, this vintage lime jello salad makes a perfect retro side or a simple make-ahead dessert.

This recipe is easy to make. Scroll to the bottom for the full recipe, but make sure you read over the helpful tips we've included, to make sure your jello salad turns out perfectly.

A close-up of a square slice of seafoam salad topped with whipped cream and a maraschino cherry, showcasing its fluffy texture and pastel green color.

More Recipes ⭐ Snickers Salad | Waldorf Salad | Piña colada Fluff

Seafoam salad is quick to make, so it’s great for busy holidays or last-minute potlucks. The sweet lime-pear flavor and fluffy texture make it such a fun treat.

This throwback workds as a dessert or side dish, and adds a pop of color and nostalgia to parties, family dinners, and special occasions. It’s super easy to make ahead.

Seafoam Salad Ingredients

Top-down layout of the recipe ingredients including cream cheese, Cool Whip, lime Jello, canned pears, maraschino cherries, cream, and reserved pear juice, each labeled.

What you'll need to make sea foam salad:

1 (15 ounce) canned pear halves in juice
1 (3 ounce) lime flavored gelatin
6 ounces cream cheese
1 ½ tablespoons heavy cream
1 cup reserved pear juice
¾ cup cold heavy cream
Thawed whipped topping (optional topping)
Maraschino cherries (optional garnish)

Tips For Getting Perfect Results

We know using Jello molds can feel a bit daunting if you've never done it, but it's actually really easy. We compiled our best tips and tricks for you, so read through the guide before you begin.

(See the full recipe steps below)

🥶 Chill at the Right Time

Let the Jello mixture cool for about five minutes before blending it with the cream cheese. If it’s still hot, it can melt the cream cheese and ruin the smooth texture.
Chill the gelatin mixture for thirty minutes before adding the whipped cream. This thickens it just enough to keep everything together.

Bowl of mashed pears showing soft, slightly chunky texture with some juice released. Text overlay explains proper consistency check for seafoam salad.

Mash the Pears to the Right Consistency

Use a fork, potato masher, or food processor to mash everything into an applesauce-like texture.
Big chunks can make the salad uneven, while over-processing can leave it runny and too thin.

Glass mixing bowl with bright green lime and cream cheese mixture, topped with light, fluffy pears and whipped cream. Text overlay explains consistencies: pears and whipped cream should be light and fluffy, while lime and cream cheese should be thick, like runny pudding.

🥛 Whip the Cream Properly

Beat the heavy cream until stiff peaks form to give the salad a fluffy, stable texture. Skipping this step will make it heavier and less airy.
If the gelatin is still warm when you add the whipped cream, it can affect how well the salad sets.

🌀 Fold, Don’t Stir

Gently fold the whipped cream and mashed pears into the gelatin mixture using a spatula. Stirring too hard can deflate the fluffiness.

How to Use a Mold for Perfect Results

A little prep helps the salad release cleanly from the mold. Lightly coat the inside with non-stick spray or brush with a neutral oil - just enough to cover without pooling.

After adding the mixture, smooth the top so it sets evenly. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least four hours, or overnight for the firmest, easiest-to-slice texture.

The green seafoam mixture spread into a scalloped mold with a smooth, level surface, ready to chill and set.

When it’s time to serve, dip the mold in warm water for five to 10 seconds to loosen it. Place your serving plate on top, flip with confidence, and give the base a gentle tap.

Still stuck? Another few seconds in the warm water will usually do the trick. Avoid running a knife around the edge—it’ll ruin that smooth finish.

Overhead view of the full molded seafoam salad garnished with dollops of whipped cream and a cherry in the center, with stacked plates and forks nearby.

Serving Ideas for Seafoam Salad

★ Serve seafoam salad at Easter, Thanksgiving, or Christmas for a nostalgic holiday touch everyone will remember. Pair it with recipes like roasted ham and classic sides.

Try our famous no bake pumpkin pie for dessert!

★ Bring seafoam salad to potlucks or summer picnics for a cool, easy-to-transport dessert. It holds up well in a cooler and makes a big batch for sharing.

Try it alongside a fried chicken sandwich, baked beans, or strawberry dump cake for a fun picnic lineup.

★ Kids love the sweet lime-pear flavor and fluffy texture, so it’s perfect for birthdays instead of classic birthday cake.

Need more party foods? We suggest marble cake, Rice Krispie treats, or mini peanut butter cheesecakes.

A soft, square slice of seafoam salad topped with whipped cream and a maraschino cherry, served with extra cherries on the side.

You'll Love This Hidden Pear Salad Recipe

You'll love how easy to make it is to make. No wonder our grandmother's brought these to every party!
It’s perfect for any occasion.
The recipe is make-ahead friendly, so you can prepare it the day before.
Its fun and colorful bright green hue instantly adds cheer to any table.

Best of all, it’s loved by all ages!

Seafoam salad is one recipe you’ll love making and sharing again and again.

Wide view of a seafoam salad slice on a white plate, with whipped cream and a cherry on top and a bowl of cherries behind.

FAQs About Seafoam Salad

🏵 What’s the best way to serve seafoam salad at a holiday dinner?
Serve seafoam salad chilled in a pretty glass bowl or mold for a festive, nostalgic holiday presentation.

🍰 Can I serve seafoam salad as a dessert?
Yes, seafoam salad works perfectly as a light, sweet dessert after a big meal, especially during warm-weather gatherings.

🔪 Should I slice seafoam salad before bringing it to the table?
Yes, slice seafoam salad before serving so guests can easily grab a neat, ready-to-eat portion.

🍒 How can I make seafoam salad look more festive when serving?
Top seafoam salad with maraschino cherries or fresh mint leaves for a colorful, eye-catching finish.

👉 Can I make seafoam salad in a regular bowl instead of a mold?
Yes, you can use a serving bowl instead of a mold and still get the same great seafoam salad texture.

Side-by-side view of a molded seafoam salad and a slice served on a plate, both topped with whipped cream and bright red cherries.

Storage FAQ

✅ FRIDGE - You can store your salad covered in the fridge for up to five days.

❌ FREEZER - This one doesn’t freeze well. The texture of the gelatin gets gritty after thawing, so we don't recommend it.

Seafoam Salad

Seafoam salad is a sweet, fluffy dessert made with lime Jello, pears, and marshmallows. Serve it chilled for a colorful, nostalgic treat.

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Prep Time 10

Cook Time 3

Chill Time 4 35

Total Time 4 48

Course Dessert, Side Dish

Cuisine American

Servings servings

Calories 244 kcal

Ingredients

15 ounces canned pear halves in juice (drained but reserve the juice)
3 ounces lime flavored gelatin
6 ounces cream cheese (softened to room temperature)
1 ½ tablespoons heavy cream (room temperature)
1 cup reserved pear juice (or add water to make 1 cup if needed)
¾ cup cold heavy cream

Garnish

Thawed whipped topping
Maraschino cherries

DIRECTIONS

Measure 1 cup of the reserved pear juice. (If it doesn’t measure 1 cup, add enough water to make 1 cup)
In a small saucepan over medium-high heat, bring the full 1 cup of liquid (reserved pear juice + water if needed) to a low boil.
Stir the lime flavored gelatin into the hot juice until completely dissolved. Set the bowl aside for about 5 minutes to cool.
Using a medium size mixing bowl and handheld mixer on medium high speed, beat together the room temperature cream cheese and 1 ½ tablespoon heavy cream until completely smooth.
Lower the mixer speed to low and slowly drizzle the gelatin into the cream cheese mixture. Cover and chill in the refrigerator for 30 minutes, or until the mixture slightly thickens but is not fully set.
Mash the pears with a fork, potato masher or ricer. Set it aside.
Add the cold heavy cream to a small mixing bowl and beat on medium high speed until stiff peaks form. (Stiff peaks are formed when the cream holds its shape and stands straight up when held upside down)
Fold the mashed pears into the whipped cream. (Folding ingredients means to use a spoon or spatula to gently lift and fold something heavier into a lighter without deflating)
Remove the cream cheese and gelatin from the refrigerator and fold the mashed pears and whipped cream into the cream cheese and gelatin mixture.
Lightly spray a gelatin mold or bundt pan with non-stick cooking spray and spoon the gelatin mixture into the mold. (I used an 8 inch silicone gelatin mold) Cover tightly with plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for 4 hours to overnight.
Just before you are ready to serve, carefully run warm water around the outside of the mold for a 5 – 10 seconds before placing a plate over the top of the mold and quickly flip it over. You can tap the outside of the mold to encourage the gelatin to release. You can top the sea foam salad with small dollops of thawed whipped topping and maraschino cherries.

Notes

Chopped nuts and multi colored or plain mini marshmallows can be added for variety.
Thawed whipped topping can be substituted for the homemade whipped cream for convenience. The measurement is still ¾ cup.
The pear halves can also be mashed in a food processor.

Nutrition

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Seafoam Salad