This Millionaire Peach Salad is pure summertime bliss in a bowl! Creamy, peachy, and perfectly sweet, this refreshing dessert salad combines juicy peaches with a velvety cream cheese base for a treat that tastes truly indulgent. It comes together in just minutes but tastes like you spent hours perfecting it – the ideal dessert for warm weather gatherings or a special weeknight treat!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick to Prepare: With just 10 minutes of active prep time, this dessert practically makes itself while you focus on other things.
- Make-Ahead Friendly: Perfect for busy days! Mix it up in the morning and it’ll be ready when you need it later.
- Crowd-Pleaser: The creamy-sweet combination with bursts of peach flavor wins over both kids and adults every time.
- Simple Ingredients: Everything you need is readily available at any grocery store – no fancy or hard-to-find items required.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Cream Cheese: Creates the rich, tangy base that gives this salad its luxurious texture. Make sure it’s properly softened for the smoothest results.
- Powdered Sugar: Sweetens while dissolving completely into the mixture, leaving no grainy texture behind.
- Cool Whip: Adds incredible lightness and fluffiness to the dessert. The secret to that cloud-like texture!
- Peach Jello: Infuses the entire dish with concentrated peach flavor while adding a beautiful color.
- Canned Peaches: The star of the show! Use peaches in heavy syrup for that perfect sweetness and juiciness.
- Mini Marshmallows: Create delightful pockets of sweetness and a fun, surprising texture throughout.
- Pecans: Bring a wonderful crunch and nutty flavor that perfectly complements the sweet peaches.
Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Variations
Want to customize this peachy delight? Here are some delicious twists:
- Berry Beautiful: Add a cup of fresh blueberries or sliced strawberries for bursts of color and flavor.
- Tropical Twist: Substitute one can of peaches with a can of mandarin oranges or pineapple chunks.
- Crunchy Addition: Mix in some crushed graham crackers or vanilla wafers for extra texture.
- Healthier Option: Use light cream cheese, sugar-free Jello, and lite Cool Whip to reduce calories without sacrificing flavor.
How to Make Millionaire Peach Salad
Step 1: Create the Creamy Base
Beat the softened cream cheese and powdered sugar together until completely smooth and free of lumps. Take your time with this step – it’s the foundation of your dessert!
Step 2: Add Fluffy Elements
Gently fold in the Cool Whip and dry peach Jello powder until well incorporated. The mixture will take on a beautiful peachy hue.
Step 3: Incorporate the Fruit
Drain your canned peaches, saving 2 tablespoons of that flavorful syrup. Cut the peach slices into bite-sized pieces, then fold them into the creamy mixture along with the reserved syrup.
Step 4: Add Marshmallows
Stir in the mini marshmallows, distributing them evenly throughout the mixture. They’ll soften slightly during the chilling time, creating perfect little bites.
Step 5: Chill
Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, allowing the flavors to meld and the dessert to set to the perfect consistency.
Step 6: Finish and Serve
Just before serving, fold in the chopped pecans. This keeps them nice and crunchy, providing the perfect textural contrast to the creamy salad.
Pro Tips for Making the Recipe
- Room Temperature Cream Cheese: Make sure your cream cheese is completely softened before beating – cold cream cheese will leave lumps.
- Cutting Peaches: For the most attractive presentation, cut the peach slices into uniform bite-sized pieces.
- Folding Technique: Use a gentle folding motion (rather than vigorous stirring) when incorporating the Cool Whip to maintain maximum fluffiness.
- Chill Time: Don’t rush the chilling step – those two hours allow the marshmallows to slightly soften and the flavors to fully develop.
How to Serve
This Millionaire Peach Salad is incredibly versatile when it comes to serving options!
Perfect Pairings:
Serve as a side dish alongside grilled chicken or ham for a sweet complement to savory main courses.
Dessert Delight:
Present in individual serving cups or parfait glasses topped with an extra dollop of whipped cream and a fresh peach slice for an elegant dessert.
Potluck Star:
Transfer to a clear glass bowl to showcase the beautiful layers and colors when bringing to gatherings.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The texture may change slightly as the marshmallows continue to soften, but the flavor remains delicious!
Freezing
This salad doesn’t freeze well due to the cream cheese and Cool Whip base, which can separate upon thawing.
Make Ahead
This dessert actually improves with a little time! You can make it up to 24 hours in advance – just add the pecans right before serving to maintain their crunch.
FAQs
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Can I use fresh peaches instead of canned?
Absolutely! In peach season, fresh is wonderful. You’ll need about 2 cups of sliced fresh peaches. Since you won’t have the syrup, add 2 tablespoons of peach nectar or even a splash of peach schnapps for adults-only version.
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Why is it called “Millionaire” Peach Salad?
The name comes from its rich, luxurious taste and texture that feels decadent like a million dollars! The combination of cream cheese, whipped topping, and sweet peaches creates an indulgent treat that tastes far more complex than its simple preparation suggests.
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Can I make this recipe lighter or lower in calories?
Definitely! Use light cream cheese, sugar-free Jello, and lite Cool Whip. You can also use peaches packed in juice rather than heavy syrup. The texture will be slightly different but still delicious.
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My salad seems too runny. What went wrong?
This typically happens if too much peach syrup was added. Make sure to measure exactly 2 tablespoons of the reserved syrup, and thoroughly drain the peaches. If it’s still too soft after chilling, folding in some additional Cool Whip can help stabilize the consistency.
Final Thoughts
This Millionaire Peach Salad is sunshine in a bowl! It strikes that perfect balance between effortless preparation and impressive results, making it ideal for both special occasions and “just because” treats. The creamy texture paired with juicy peaches and crunchy pecans creates something truly special that your family will request again and again. Give it a try – you’re just 10 minutes and a short chill time away from peachy perfection!
Print
Millionaire Peach Salad Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 10 servings 1x
- Category: Desserts
- Method: No-cook
- Cuisine: American
Description
A rich, creamy, and fruity dessert that’s perfect for any occasion! Packed with sweet peaches, fluffy marshmallows, and a touch of pecans for crunch, this no-bake salad is a crowd-pleaser. It’s a refreshing and simple recipe to whip up in no time.
Ingredients
- 1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 (12-ounce) carton Cool Whip
- 1 small (3-ounce) box peach Jello (dry mix)
- 2 (14-ounce) cans sliced peaches in heavy syrup
- 2 cups mini marshmallows
Instructions
- Prepare the Creamy Base
In a mixing bowl, use a hand-held mixer to beat the softened cream cheese and powdered sugar together until smooth and creamy. - Mix in Cool Whip and Jello
Gently stir in the Cool Whip and dry peach Jello mix, making sure the mixture is smooth and well-combined. - Prepare the Peaches
Drain the canned peaches, reserving 2 tablespoons of the syrup for added flavor. Cut the peaches into bite-sized pieces to ensure easy blending into the salad. - Combine the Ingredients
Fold the peach pieces and the reserved 2 tablespoons of syrup into the cream cheese mixture. Stir well to evenly distribute the peaches. - Add Marshmallows and Chill
Mix in the mini marshmallows, ensuring thorough incorporation, then refrigerate the mixture for at least 2 hours to let the flavors meld.
Notes
- Be sure to soften the cream cheese at room temperature before mixing to avoid lumps.
- For a nuttier flavor, toast the pecans before adding them to the salad.
- Substitute Cool Whip with homemade whipped cream for a fresher taste if desired.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 Serving
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 20g
- Sodium: 95mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 34g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
