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!
If you want to serve them in cute wooden bowls like we do, I recommend these from Amazon. They’re not exactly the same as mine, but they’re still pretty nifty!
[amazon box=”B07BGXM1CX”]
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!
Definitely sounds like something the kids would love. They are huge marshmallow fans.
This looks so delicious! I know that my son and daughter would love to try out your easy Pineapple Marshmellow dessert. Thanks for sharing!!
mmmm so delicious *.*
This desert looks yummy,I want to try to make it some time
My grandmother made this for Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner. It was a favorite dessert to eat. This Christmas I am serving it at my Christmas party January 4th 2025.
looks fun to make seems delicious.
Yum! I love anything and everything that has pineapple in it. I will definitely be making some of this!
This looks interesting and o simple to make. I will have to get some half and half at the store and try this.
This sounds very tasty, I don’t think I have ever tried this, I am sure my grandchildren would love this, Me I have only had marshmellow on my cocoa loll 🙂 but I will try a smaller portion of this and see if I can get some likes and who knows this might be one of our deserts on Thanksgiving 🙂
This sounds delightful, I have never heard of this dessert before. Thank you for sharing.
This sounds delicious…and so much fun. My grands would love it!
Definitely going to make this tasty treat this thanksgiving! Thank you for sharing
I am making it for new years
My grandmother made this for me when I was a child. Then my mother made it for my kids and then I made it for my kids, friends and my grandson. It’s delicious.
How many days after making this will it still be “fresh”? Can I make two days in advance or will it hurt the consistency? Thanks!
How many calories are there? I made this every year holidays.