Watergate salad, sometimes called pistachio fluff, is a light and fluffy dessert made of whipped cream, pistachio pudding, marshmallows, and pineapple topped with a cherry. So easy, so tasty!
In a bowl, add together the crushed pineapple, mini marshmallows, pistachios, and pudding mix. Stir until combined.
Fold in the cool whip.
Refrigerate for 1 hour or until ready to serve.
Top with additional cool whip topping, pistachios, and maraschino cherries.
Notes
To thaw your Cool Whip or whipped topping, place tub in the refrigerator for 4 hours. Do not thaw in the microwave as your whipped topping will get very oily and thin and ruin the consistency of your pistachio fluff pudding.
If you are gluten-free, make sure that your instant pudding mix is gluten-free. I used Kraft JELL-O pistachio instant pudding mix. Kraft, which makes JELL-O branded instant pudding mixes, does not label its products as gluten-free. However, Kraft is very good at identifying any gluten-containing ingredients on its labels.
Do not use low-fat Cool Whip topping for best results. The full fat version works better in this recipe.
Do not use homemade whipped cream in this recipe. Cool Whip contains hydrogenated oils that the pistachio fluff stay light and fluffy. Homemade whipped cream will fall quickly and not hold its shape so it is not recommended.
If you don't have toasted pistachios or cherries on hand, or simply want to switch it up, you can top your pistachio pudding salad with mandarin oranges, shredded coconut, pecans, walnuts, or almond slivers.