This sweet treat was a staple at church potlucks and family get-togethers when I was growing up. And it’s been perfect for enticing my husband to eat, once he got home from the hospital.

As usual, I’ve modified the childhood comfort-food recipe to make it healthier – reducing the sugar and fat content by using sugar-free pudding and gelatin mixes and substituting fat-free milk for half the sugar-free whipped topping.

The milk also adds protein, and the mandarin oranges add plenty of potassium and Vitamin C.

The result is still delicious!

This recipe makes 4-6 servings.

Ingredients

• 1 small box sugar-free fat-free vanilla pudding mix
• 1 small box sugar-free orange gelatin mix
• 15-ounce can no-sugar-added mandarin oranges
• 1 cup sugar-free whipped topping
• 1 cup fat-free milk
• 3/4 cup water
• 4-5 ice cubes

Directions

In a saucepan, bring the water to a boil and add the gelatin mix, stirring until completely dissolved. Add the ice cubes and stir until they are melted. Set aside.

Make pudding according to package directions, but using only one cup milk instead of two.

Add whipped topping to pudding and blend thoroughly, then add the liquid gelatin mix and blend.

Fold the mandarin oranges into the mixture.

Refrigerate overnight or until firm.

Nutrition information

Calories: 110 | Carbohydrates: 19 g | Protein: 1.5 g | Fat: 1.5 g | Saturated Fat: 1.5 g | Cholesterol: 0 mg | Sodium: 90 mg | Potassium: 180 mg | Fiber: 1 g | Sugar: 9 g | Vitamin A: 5% | Vitamin C: 24% | Calcium: 10% | Iron: .5%