In our family, this cool, creamy dessert has always been known as Green Slime — the good kind, the holiday kind, the kind everyone secretly hopes shows up in the fridge. Light, fluffy, and not too sweet, it’s full of smooth pear flavor with just the right pop of lime. One bite takes you straight back to a 1950s kitchen, which is fitting, because that’s exactly where this recipe began.
Green Slime was passed down from the Langley family in the 1950s, when my mother‑in‑law’s mother lived just south of Alvin. It’s one of those beloved community recipes that traveled from house to house, handwritten on recipe cards, shared over fences, and cherished for generations.
We made it every Thanksgiving growing up, and most years it made a Christmas appearance too. Pears and cream cheese blend into a silky puree, warm lime Jell‑O melts in for that classic citrus glow, and everything gets folded into a cloud of Cool Whip. The result is a refreshing, nostalgic, retro‑style dessert that disappears faster than anything else on the table.
Simple, comforting, and full of family history — Green Slime is a true Southern holiday classic.
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Nana’s Green Lime Jello (Green Slime)
Green Lime Jell‑O is a classic retro dessert made with sweet pears, tangy lime gelatin, cream cheese, and whipped topping. This easy no‑bake “fluff” is perfect for holidays, potlucks, and vintage recipe lover. Family favorite you’re sure to enjoy.
12
servings15
minutes5
minutes190
kcal2
hoursKeep the screen of your device on
Ingredients
1 28 oz can pear halves (include the juice—don’t drain!)
1 6 oz Lime Jell-O gelatin mix
1 8 oz Soften cream cheese
1 16 oz Cool Whip
Directions
- Drain the pears, reserving the juice in a saucepan. Place the pear halves in a blender.
- Add the lime Jell‑O to the pear juice in the saucepan. Heat gently, stirring until the gelatin is completely dissolved. Remove from heat and let it cool.
- While the gelatin mixture cools, add the softened cream cheese to the blender with the pears. Blend until smooth.
- Pour the cooled gelatin mixture into the blender and blend until fully incorporated and smooth.
- Pour the mixture into a large bowl. Let it sit at room temperature until cooled (if it’s too warm, it will melt the whipped topping).
- Gently fold in the Cool Whip with a spatula until evenly combined. Do not overmix.
- Refrigerate for 2–4 hours, or until set.
Recipe Video
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