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Toasted Coconut and Pecan Topped Pistachio Dessert: The Best Watergate Salad

Toasted Coconut and Pecan Topped Pistachio Dessert: The Best Watergate Salad #watergatesalad #retrodessert #jellopistachopudding

This sweet and fluffy retro salad takes just minutes to throw together and is irresistible in taste and texture!  Watergate salad is as retro as they come. A time when Jell-O, instant pudding and those bright orange copper molds were all the rage, this fluffy, green concoction is anything but what we come to think of as a salad.        It is a side dish or better yet, a simple dessert that worked perfectly at a recent party that I hosted (stay tuned for those details!). I had so much food prep, so when it came time for planning for a sweet nightcap, I knew this easy pistachio Watergate salad was the way to go.

This classic recipe is a mixture of crushed pineapple, miniature marshmallows, whipped topping, pecans, shredded coconut and pistachio instant pudding mix. There are several different versions out there, but they all have one thing in common…combine the ingredients in a bowl, cover it, and let it sit overnight in the refrigerator. So simple!

For perfect portions, I served the salad in small vintage Jello-O molds. 

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Instead of following the traditional method that calls for adding pecans and coconut in the whipped topping the night before, I topped the fluff with this toasted coconut and toasted pecans just before serving. This crunchy texture updated the dish and was a deliciously sweet garnish. 

There has to be a big, red cherry on top too!
I love the green hue of the pudding mix, especially against my grandmother’s green Depression glass cake plate.There’s really nothing quite like the taste and fun fluff of this retro salad.
Serve this treat at your next get-together! It would make a perfect potluck dish too.

My recipe for Quick and Easy Cranberry Pistachio Cookies is another tasty way to use Jell-O instant pudding.

For more sweet toasted coconut treats, try my Coffee Roasted Almonds and Chocolate Coconut Snack Mix. 

Do you make Watergate salad? 

Toasted Coconut and Pecan Topped Pistachio Dessert: Watergate Salad

This sweet and fluffy retro salad takes just minutes to throw together and is irresistible in taste and texture.

  • 20 ounce can crushed pineapple in juice
  • 1 box instant pistachio pudding mix
  • 1 1/2 cups mini marshmallows
  • 8 ounce tub Cool Whip
  • maraschino cherry (for topping)
  • toasted coconut (for topping)
  • toasted pecans (for topping)
  1. Combine the pineapple and its juices with the pudding mix in a large bowl.
  2. Stir until well combined.
  3. Stir in the marshmallows.
  4. Fold in the whipped topping.
  5. Cover and refrigerate for at least 6 hours and up to 48 hours.
  6. Garnish with a cherry, toasted coconut, and toasted pecans.

 

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Comments

  1. LISA JOHNSON says

    March 27, 2024 at 2:35 pm

    What SIZE box of Pistachio pudding??

    Reply
  2. Kelly says

    August 5, 2018 at 9:28 pm

    I can’t wait to try this recipe!

    Reply
  3. Bethany says

    August 5, 2018 at 9:27 pm

    Yum!! I love simple desserts and this looks simple and delicious. Thanks for sharing!!

    Reply
    • Olive Jude says

      August 5, 2018 at 11:10 pm

      Thanks!!

      Reply
  4. Veronika says

    August 2, 2018 at 6:36 pm

    These look divine! And so doable!

    Reply
    • Olive Jude says

      August 5, 2018 at 11:09 pm

      Thank you!!!

      Reply
  5. Melissa says

    August 2, 2018 at 4:09 pm

    This is such a great idea! I love the concept of making these into individual servings, and they look adorable too!

    Reply
    • Olive Jude says

      August 2, 2018 at 5:54 pm

      Oh, thank you, Melissa! They were the perfect little serving for our crowd.

      Reply
  6. Heather Nicole Gilbert says

    August 2, 2018 at 1:13 am

    Yummy! I used to eat a dessert similar to this when I was a child!

    Reply
  7. Jalisa says

    August 1, 2018 at 6:43 pm

    I’ve always loved coconut. Definitely a must make.

    Reply
  8. Kat|Kat Charles Blog says

    May 29, 2018 at 4:58 pm

    Watergate salad is my JAM. I love the vintage jello molds!

    Reply
    • Olive Jude says

      May 29, 2018 at 5:24 pm

      Yes! Those molds are fun!

      Reply
  9. Denise Riehle says

    May 28, 2018 at 9:48 pm

    It’s been YEARS since I thought of this treat. I’m excited to try it again. Thanks for the recipe!

    Reply
    • Olive Jude says

      May 29, 2018 at 1:25 pm

      Always fun to enjoy this, right!?

      Reply
  10. Emily @ Pizza & Pull-Ups says

    May 28, 2018 at 2:01 pm

    What a nostalgic dessert! This sounds perfect for summer parties.

    Reply
    • Olive Jude says

      May 28, 2018 at 6:01 pm

      It’s so fun and everyone always loves it! Thanks for popping by, Emily!

      Reply
  11. Mimi says

    May 28, 2018 at 12:48 pm

    OMG Pistachio and coconut are two of my favourite things! Love the added pecans

    Reply
    • Olive Jude says

      May 28, 2018 at 6:01 pm

      Thanks, Mimi! It’s a little addicting!

      Reply
  12. candy says

    May 28, 2018 at 9:42 am

    We make this all the time during the summer. I swear we could make several different versions of this and they would all be gone by the end of the day. So delicious and easy to make.

    Reply
    • Olive Jude says

      May 28, 2018 at 6:03 pm

      I’m with you! No matter how it’s made, everyone loves it!

      Reply

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Welcome!

Welcome to Olive Jude! I'm Jen...wife, mother, daughter and home enthusiast! Infused with some sweet recollections and a side of sarcasm, this blog shares my creative adventures in cooking, decorating, and entertaining. I am inspired by my mother's belief and attitude that with just a little extra effort, you can make something ordinary into something extraordinary. Read More…

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