Sunshine Jello Salad

I originally found this recipe about 2 years ago and have loved it. It is perfect to take to family gatherings and theres almost never anything leftover. Its a great salad to take for funerals, too. My kids love it. I only changed 1 thing- leaving out the pineapple- from the original recipe, but left everything else. It is easy and always a crowd pleaser.

1( 6 oz.) orange Jell- o2 cups boiling water

1 cup mandarin orange and pineapple jus, reserved from the canned fruit

1( 6 oz) frozen orange jus concentrate

1( 3. 4 oz) lemon pudding mix

1( 8 oz) carton of whipped topping

1( 20 oz) can pineapple tidbits, drained reserving jus( I dont use the pineapple, just the jus)

1 small can mandarin orange( I think these are like 8 or 10 oz), drained reserving juice

Mix boiling water and jello together for 2 minutes. Mix in frozen orange jus concentrate until dissolved. Mix in reserved 1 cup mandarin orange and pineapple jus. Add fruit.( If you dont include the pineapple like I do, you can use 2 cans of mandarin oranges so there are more oranges. I prefer to just use the pineapple in something else& take the jus and only use 1 can of oranges. Ive never had any complaints.)

Put in a 9 x 13 dish and refrigerate until set. So that the oranges are well distributed throughout the salad, I carefully take a spoon and arrange the oranges in the pan. I usually do this while it is sitting in the fridge. Otherwise, when you move it from the counter to the fridge, all your" hard work" is out the window.;)

Make pudding according to package directions. Pour over set jello and refrigerate for 5 min.

Drop whipped topping in several mounds on top of pudding layer and carefully spread. Look at those beautiful layers!

Note: I usually make this a day ahead. However, I do the jello part the night before and let it set up overnight. I also make the pudding and put it in a bowl. The morning of, I just take a paper towel and dab any water droplets from the jello if there is any. Then, just before I take it, I put all the layers together. It has seemed to be the most smooth process for transport and freshness.