The Cheese Layer Susan Salad is a beautifully layered vintage dish that blends sweet fruit with savory cheese in a gelatin base. This recipe uses lemon and orange-flavored gelatin to create a vibrant backdrop for cherries, celery, and a creamy cheese layer. Topped with canned peaches and black cherries arranged like flower petals, this salad is both visually stunning and unique in flavor. It’s perfect for holiday dinners or retro-themed gatherings, offering a delightful combination of textures and tastes that will impress guests.
Join our Vintage Recipe Facebook Group to discuss and find “new” old recipes to enjoy.
Links to find other recipes:
Cheese Layer Susan Salad
Food History
Gelatin salads became a beloved part of American cuisine in the mid-20th century, largely due to the convenience of packaged gelatin like Jell-O. These molded salads were often seen as sophisticated and were popular in family gatherings, church potlucks, and special occasions. Mixing sweet fruits, like cherries and peaches, with savory elements like blue cheese and cream cheese might seem unusual today, but it was quite common in mid-century recipes.
Celery’s inclusion adds a crisp texture to balance the softness of the gelatin, while the richness of the cream cheese and blue cheese creates a creamy layer that contrasts the sweetness of the fruit. Blue cheese or Roquefort lends the dish a tangy sharpness, elevating the salad’s overall flavor profile. This combination of sweet fruit, crunchy vegetables, and tangy cheese was a hallmark of many classic American “salads” of this era.
The use of pitted black cherries, canned peaches, and flavored gelatin showcases how these types of salads were designed to highlight both the convenience and creativity of the 1950s and 1960s kitchen.
Timeline
- 1897: Packaged gelatin is introduced, making molded salads more accessible to home cooks.
- 1920s-1930s: Gelatin salads become fashionable, appearing in cookbooks as a modern, elegant dish.
- Mid-20th century: The trend of combining sweet and savory ingredients, especially with gelatin, takes hold in American kitchens, with variations like this Cheese Layer Susan Salad emerging.
- Present day: Gelatin salads remain nostalgic, especially for family gatherings and holiday events.
Recipe Discussion
The Cheese Layer Susan Salad is closest to the layered gelatin salads that were popular in mid-century America. It’s similar to recipes like ambrosia salads or layered Jell-O molds, but it stands out with its savory cheese layer. The lemon and orange-flavored gelatin creates a bright, sweet base that holds cherries and diced celery, adding both texture and sweetness.
Cream cheese and blue cheese or Roquefort are blended with a portion of the gelatin mixture to create a smooth, rich layer that balances the sweet fruit with savory tang. This dish’s hallmark is the contrast between the sharpness of the blue cheese and the sweetness of the gelatin. The peaches and cherries arranged in a decorative pattern on top make each serving visually appealing.
For modern palates, this dish may seem unusual, but it’s a fantastic retro throwback for those who appreciate the quirkiness of vintage recipes. You could tag this recipe as a salad, as it fits the mid-century definition of a salad—though, today, we might think of it more as a dessert or side dish.
Preparation Tips
- Gelatin tips: Make sure to dissolve the gelatin fully in hot water before letting it cool to a syrupy consistency. This ensures that the gelatin sets properly.
- Layering carefully: Let the first layer of gelatin and cherries set fully before spreading the cheese mixture on top to ensure the layers don’t mix.
- Celery texture: Dicing the celery finely will add a pleasant crunch without overwhelming the texture of the salad.
- Cream cheese blending: Soften the cream cheese before mixing it with the reserved gelatin to ensure a smooth and even layer.
- Chill well: Allow the entire salad to firm up in the refrigerator before serving, as this ensures the layers stay intact when cut.
Recommended Kitchen Products
The links below lead to top-rated products on Amazon—if you use our links, we can save more recipes.
- Oblong glass dish (8×12 inches): A clear glass dish helps showcase the beautiful layers of this salad.
- Offset spatula: This tool will help you spread the cheese mixture evenly over the gelatin layer for a smooth, polished look.
- Jelly mold: If you want to present this salad in a more decorative shape, a jelly mold will give it a professional finish.
Serving Suggestions
- Lettuce cups: Serve each square of this salad in crisp lettuce cups for a retro presentation and added crunch.
- Drizzle with dressing: A simple drizzle of mayonnaise or a light vinaigrette can complement the savory-sweet flavor profile.
- With a holiday spread: This salad pairs well with other holiday dishes like roasted ham or turkey, offering a sweet contrast to savory mains.
- With crackers: Serve alongside buttery crackers for added texture and a way to enjoy the creamy cheese layer with each bite.
A Retro Delight
The Cheese Layer Susan Salad is a beautiful and nostalgic dish that offers an intriguing blend of flavors. This salad is visually striking and delicious, from the sweet cherries and peaches to the savory cream cheese and blue cheese layer. While it may seem unusual today, it’s a delightful way to bring a vintage touch to your dinner table or party. Its bright colors and layered presentation make it a conversation starter, and the unique combination of ingredients is a testament to the creativity of mid-century cooking. Try it for your next gathering, and enjoy a taste of the past.
Explore the Rich History of Vintage Recipe Box 001
Vintage Recipe Box 001 is part of a remarkable collection of eight recipe boxes from the estate of Goldie Ree Lewis Sowers (1889-1987). This box, along with the others, was discovered at an estate sale in Shelby, Ohio, and it offers a fascinating glimpse into the culinary traditions of Goldie’s life. Born in Morrow County, Ohio, and living a full 98 years, Goldie’s recipes reflect decades of home cooking, with contributions from friends and family. Each recipe card tells a story of the enjoyed meals, from savory main dishes to sweet desserts.
Click here to explore all Vintage Recipe Box 001 recipes and learn more about Goldie’s collection.
Start Your Recipe Box
- Start your recipe box or your family or friends. View New and Vintage Recipe Boxes
- View Recipe Cards and Templates
- View Recipe Card Protectors and Sleeves
Vintage Goodies
- Vintage Kitchenware on Etsy
- Vintage Recipes on Amazon
- Vintage Cookbooks on eBay
- Vintage Cookbooks on Etsy
Cheese Layer Susan Salad Recipe
Cheese Layer Susan Salad
Ingredients
- No 2 1/2 can black cherries, pitted
- 1 package lemon flavored gelatin
- 1 package orange flavored gelatin
- 3 cups hot water
- 1/3 cup lemon juice
- 1 1/2 cup celery, diced
- 2 packages cream cheese
- 2 tablespoons blue cheese or Roquefort, crumbled
- Canned peaches
Instructions
- Drain the pitted drained cherries
- Dissolve the lemon and orange flavored gelatin in hot water
- Add the lemon juice
- Cool until syrupy
- Reserve 1 cup jelly
- To the rest add the diced celery and all but 10 - 12 cherries
- Pour into oblong pan about 8" x 12"
- Chill until set
- Work the 1 cup of jelly with the cream cheese and crumbled cheese
- Spread over cherry layer
- Before it is set, arrange sliced canned peaches petal fashion, with black cherries for the center at intervals
- When salad is cut into squares there will be a garnish for each salad
- Chill until firm
- Serve in lettuce cups with dressing