Welcome to summer, friends! The season of BBQ’s, grills and outdoor events. I’m not really sure which is worse… Christmas or summer, but I would say they definitely compete for the top 2 times of the year when I’m dishes up the most food to bring to parties!

Personally, I much prefer the food in the summer. Sizzling meat on the grill, cold pasta and jello salads, cookies, ice cream, cold drinks… It’s enough to make me drool just thinking about it.

But sometimes I’m just not sure what to bring. I don’t want to be the fifth person to bring a platter of chocolate chip cookies (trust me…I’ve been this person so many times!)

This pas weekend, I ventured out of my comfort zone and tried this jello salad from my husband’s grandma and mother. It turned out great and was totally gone by the end of the party! It screams summer and is so refreshing.

Creamsicle Jello Salad

1 3 oz. box orange jello 

1 3 oz. box cook & serve vanilla pudding 

1 3 oz. box cook & serve tapioca 

3 cups cold water 

1 tub cool whip

1 can mandarin oranges, drained

Optional: Marshmallows 

Combine all 3 boxes of dry mix in a saucepan. Add 3 cups cold water. Stir constantly until boiling. Boil for 1 minute until thickened. Let cool completely (if not fully cooled the texture will be funky). Add cool whip, mandarin oranges and marshmallows and mix well. Keep refrigerated until time to serve.