Mary (Heiden) Adermann’s Christmas Gelatin Salad Recipe

My genealogy buddy and cousin, Kevin, keeper of Our Family Genealogies, sent me a recipe this week which his grandmother made each Thanksgiving and Christmas. She passed the tradition down to his mother. They reported it had been given to them from Mary (Heiden) Adermann, his great-grandmother. He is now the fourth generation (at least) in his family to be responsible for the annual green and red Christmas gelatin salad. My family already has plans to make it this holiday season as well–a fun treat that connects us to our ancestors.

The recipe is below. I understand Mary would have used gelatin and lime juice–lime Jell-O was not invented until 1930, ten years before Mary died and several decades after she was an adult woman responsible for Christmas dinners. May you enjoy this part of our family heritage.

Holiday Gelatin Salad

Ingredients:
1 Regular Package of Lime Jell-O
1 C Hot Water
1 C Coffee Cream
4 oz Cream Cheese
1 Can Crushed Pineapple (drained)
Walnuts
Maraschino Cherries

Directions:
Add 1 C Hot Water to Jell-O, Let Cool.
After partially set, beat in Coffee Cream and Cream Cheese.
Add Crushed Pineapple and mix together.

Pour into pan or mold.
Add in Walnuts and Maraschino Cherries to taste.
Top with Maraschino Cherries.

Refrigerate until ready to serve.

Enjoy the salad and celebrate your heritage!