Mom's Lime and Mandarin Orange Jello

Ever since I can remember, I've seen this Lime Mandarin Orange Jello dessert at any family holiday dinner.  My Grandmother (my mom's mom) and my wife love this dessert.

• 2 packages (3 ounce each) Lime flavored Jello
• 1 can (11 ounce) mandarin orange segments, drained
• Tupperware Jello mold (like a bunt cake style)
• 1 package (8 ounce) cream cheese, softened
• 2 cups boiling water
• 1 can (8 1/2 ounce) crushed pineapple
• 1 1/2 cups cold water
• Non stick cooking spray (Pam)

Instructions:

1. Disolve the lime jello in boiling water.
2. In a seperate bowl, beat the softened cream cheese with an electric mixer until smooth and fluffy.
3. Gradually add/beat in the hot Jello mixture into the cream cheese bowl.
4. Stir in the cold water
5. Chill mixture in mixing bowl until slightly thickened
6. Fold in the mandarin orange segments and crushed pineapple (both drained).  You can cut the mandarine orange slices in half if you feel that they are too large
7. Spray the mold with the non-stick cooking spray, then pour mixture into the mold.  Chill until firm. Let sit overnight in the refrigerator to really make it firm up.
8. Unmold onto a plate that is slightly larger than the diameter of the finished dessert.
9. It is optional, but you can garnish all around the edge of the mold with more mandarin oranges or maybe even some drained pineapple chunks.

Enjoy! 

Best Regards,
Steve DiFranco