Aunt Bethany's Pineapple Lime Salad!

This is an old, old recipe people in the South have been making for years...probably since the invention of fruit flavored Jello, actually.   I think it probably doesn't get made as much as it once did, but I still get requests for a recipe for it.  There are several variations on the recipe also.  

 I like this one because it's not quite as sweet and it sets up nice and is very colorful.  You can gel this in a decorative mold or just in an 8"x8" dish and then cut it in squares to serve.   With it's pretty color, it's a great holiday salad for both Easter and Christmas! 

The whole time I was making this, I kept thinking about the movie "Christmas Vacation" and Aunt Bethany and her lime Jello mold she wrapped up as a present!  Watching "Christmas Vacation" is a tradition in our family (several times during the holidays) and it's just not the start of the holiday season until we do!   So in honor of Aunt Bethany, this is "Aunt Bethany's Pineapple Lime Salad"!   

Here is what you will need:

1 (6 oz.) pkg. lime gelatin (can use sugar free)

1  1/2 cups boiling water

1 (8 oz.) can of crushed pineapple (do not drain

1/2 cup chopped pecans

1/2 cups chopped maraschino cherries

1 (8 oz.) pkg. cream cheese, softened

1/4 cup mayonnaise

2 cups frozen whipped topping

Pour boiling water over gelatin and stir to dissolve.  Set aside to cool.  When it starts to thicken, add the pineapple, nuts and cherries and blend. 

With an electric mixer beat the cream cheese and the mayonnaise until fluffy.  Blend in the whipped cream. 

Fold the cream cheese mixture into the gelatin mixture.  Blend and pour into a mold or an 8"x8" dish.    Chill until completely set. 

 Cut in squares and serve!  This looks pretty with a dollop of whipped cream!