Tapioca Orange Jello Salad/Dessert ~

My Grandma has been making this recipe for many years.   I finally got the recipe from her and now take it to family functions, since she doesn't have the energy anymore to make it.  It is delicious, super easy to make, and my kids love it! Who doesn't love whipped cream and pudding?!?!  I call it a salad and my husband seems to think it's a dessert.  Call it what you want, and eat when you desire. With the meal or after, either way it's delicious!

Recipe for:  Tapioca Orange Jell-O Salad/Dessert

Ingredients:
2 - 3 oz pkgs Jell-O cook & serve tapioca fat free pudding
1 - 3 oz pkg Orange Jell-O (any brand) small box
3 cups water
1 - 8oz container cool whip
1 - 2 can mandarin oranges - (I usually get two large cans)

Tapicoa Orange Jello Salad/Dessert

Directions:
In a sauce pan, bring water, orange jell-o, and tapioca to a boil.  Take off stove top and let cool. Put in fridge for quicker cooling or in the freezer for even faster cooling, just don't forget about it.  After it's cool stir in cool whip and mandarin oranges.  Put back in fridge to stay cool.  Enjoy!

With this recipe I'm better off making it the day before since I'm usually making supper that day and with the cooling time it can take awhile.  Make it the day before or early in the day.  Just saying!

Another great way to make this is to substitute strawberry jello and fresh strawberries (cut-up).  Very tasty!