Red Hot Mama Salad

My Grandmother and Mother made this for as long as I can remember. It's a tradition in our family that is served every Thanksgiving and Christmas. My kids love it and always look forward to the hoildays when they can have some Red Hot Mama!

• Ready In: 40 mins
• Serves: 8-10

Ingredients

• 1  cup water
• 1⁄4 cup  red-hot candies
• 1 (3 ounce) package  lemon Jell-O gelatin
• 1 (15 ounce) can applesauce
• 8  ounces cream cheese, room temperature
• 1⁄2 cup mayonnaise
• 1⁄2 cup pecans, chopped
• 1 1⁄4 cups celery, chopped

Directions

1. Combine water and red hot candies in a medium sized sauce pan.
2. Boil on high heat until candy is melted.
3. Remove from heat.
4. Add jello and applesauce.
5. Mix well.
6. In a medium bowl, beat together cream cheese and mayonnaise.
7. Fold in celery and nuts with spoon.
8. In a square 9X9 dish, place cream cheese mixture and spread evenly.
9. Pour red hot applesauce mixture over the cream cheese.
10. Refrigerate until red hot applesauce mixture has set, approximately 4 hours.