If you need a super simple and affordable Thanksgiving dessert recipe that everyone will love, try my grandmother’s Heaven’s Delight! This marshmallow pineapple dessert was always a huge hit during our family holidays. I shared the recipe first, then the background story, so you don’t have to scroll far to find what you need. 😀

Heaven’s Delight Pineapple Marshmallow Recipe

This recipe makes a large amount, as in a big gallon container! Enough to feed a large crowd! You need to start it the night before you want to serve it so the marshmallows have time to soak everything up.

Heads up: this post includes affiliate links. If you buy through them, I get a small fee at no extra charge to you. Thanks a bunch!)

Ingredients:

• 2 large bags miniature marshmallows *
• 2 large cans of crushed pineapple
• 1 quart half and half

*MUST be minis, I made the mistake of subbing in large ones once, disaster! We always use Jet-Puffed but you can use whatever you want. FYI, I linked to Jet Puffed on Amazon to show you what I’m talking about. They’re MUCH cheaper in the grocery store, though.

Directions:

• Make a layer of marshmallows, then a layer of pineapples.
• Keep layering like this until you reach the top.
• Pour the half and half over the top, letting it seep in, then pour any leftover juice from the pineapples.
• Place in the refrigerator. Stir every couple of hours. It’ll be ready the next day!

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Background story

When I was living in Japan back in 1999-2001, I emailed my grandmother because I needed an easy Thanksgiving dessert recipe. Every year, she made “Heaven’s Delight,” a simple pineapple marshmallow dessert that everyone in my family absolutely loved. Even me, one of the pickiest eaters in the world! Although, to be honest, I picked around the pineapple bits until I was much older!

I still have the email that she sent in return. I’ll keep that email forever because while she’s not physically with me on Thanksgiving anymore, I’ll always have the traditions- and the delicious recipes- that she gave us. I’m not allowed to share the apple pie, the holiday “doughball soup” or a few of my grandmother’s other recipes, but I can share her super easy Thanksgiving dessert, her “Heaven’s Delight” recipe! I hope you enjoy it!

This is seriously one of the easiest Thanksgiving dessert recipes ever. It’s light and fluffy, too, so it’s not too heavy after a huge meal. If you’re not a fan of half and half or can’t drink dairy products, I imagine you could make it with some sort of alternative! If you do try it, let me know how it turns out. I know they also make vegan marshmallows, so you could make this with natural ingredients should you choose.

What is your favorite Thanksgiving recipe? Tell me in the comments!

Last update on 2024-04-18 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API