Cherry fluff salad is a light and refreshing dessert that’s perfect for any occasion! This creamy, dreamy treat is bursting with bright, juicy cherries and fluffy marshmallows, making it the best addition to any spring or summer menu.
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This cherry salad is sure to be a crowd-pleaser so make a large bowl. Whether you’re hosting a backyard barbecue or just want to treat yourself to something satisfying, cherry fluff salad is a classic dessert favorite for generations.
The sweet and creamy treat is made with canned cherry pie filling, fluffy marshmallows, and Cool Whip but there is so many ways to put your own twist on this fluff salad or cherry angel salad with it’s pretty pink color. This easy salad is perfect for the summer months and will become on of your favorite recipes.
For more delicious fluff salad recipes, check out this Pineapple Fluff, Orange Fluff Salad and Ambrosia Watergate Salad. Or, for something a little different, give this Coffee Fluff a try.
Why We Love This Recipe
The fruit fluff salad is extremely easy to make and takes hardly anytime. With little ingredients and no cooking time this cherry angel salad is sure to become your new favorite sweet treat. And it’s so easy.
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- 5 Minutes to Make: Although the cherry fluff must chill for at least 2 hours, this recipe only takes 5 minutes. It is a recipe that’s an easy dump no bake dessert recipe. This is the perfect recipe to make real quick in the morning so you have it for later.
- Family Favorite: With the vibrant red color and the sweet flavors of marshmallows, this fluff is the perfect snack, side dish or dessert for the kids to enjoy after playing outside or for special occasions such as Valentine’s day or a hot summer night.
- Adaptable Easy Cherry Dump Salad: You can easily turn this into a low sugar dessert by using sugar free pudding mix and cool whip. You can also used no sugar added crushed pineapple and also can be made with cherry pie filling made with sugar substitute or no sugar added for this no-bake dessert.
Ingredient Notes for Salad Recipe
- Jello Pudding: For this fluff recipe you won’t be cooking the jello, you will just be mixing in the powder. You could buy the instant, regular bake, or even sugar free and fat free.
- Pie Filling: Store bought or homemade or traditional cherry pie filling for your cherry pie filling salad for a wonderful cherry flavor.
- Crushed Pineapple: No need to drain the crushed pineapple of all the excess liquid. Pineapple chunks can also be great in this recipe.
Variations and Substitutions for this No Bake Dessert Recipes?
This easy cherry fluff is a great option for a summertime side dish. It’s a classic recipe that is sure to please the entire crowd.
- Different Pudding Flavor – If you want to add more flavor to your jello fluff salad, you can easily swap out the vanilla pudding for a cheesecake pudding to make a cherry cheesecake fluff.
- Other Pie Filling – You could use any flavor or try a cherry jam for a more smooth consistency. Homemaking filling is a great option too.
- Different Fruit – If you want your fluff fruit salad to have more fruity flavors, adding citrus would be a great addition. Citrus fruits like oranges and lemons pair well with cherries.
How to Make Cherry Fluff Dessert Salad
These are the basic steps for making fluff. Please refer to the recipe card below for more detailed instructions.
STEP 1: COMBINE AND MIX INGREDIENTS
In a large mixing bowl, combine the pineapple and pudding until thick and fluffy. Fold in the cool whip whipped cream. Add in the pie filling, coconut, and mini marshmallows.
STEP 2: MIX THOROUGHLY AND CHILL
Fold together all the ingredients until everything is mixed evenly. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving or until mixture is thick and creamy. If desired, top with additional walnuts or pecans, cherries, and whipped topping.
Prep and Storage Tips to Make this Recipe
HOW TO MAKE THIS RECIPE AHEAD OF TIME
While this classic cherry fluff recipe takes about 2 hours to chill before it is ready to serve, you can make this tasty treat hours before needed or you could prepare it a day before. But it definitely needs the time in the fridge.
HOW TO STORE THIS RECIPE
To store your fluff salad, place in an airtight container and keep in the fridge for 3-5 days.
HOW TO FREEZE THIS RECIPE
Freezing fruit fluff salad isn’t recommended because when unfrozen the salad will become extremely watery.
Recipe FAQs
CAN I USE MARSHMALLOW FLUFF IN THIS RECIPE?
Yes, you can use marshmallow fluff instead of mini marshmallows. However, this will change the texture a bit and with mini marshmallows you can get one in every bite.
IS THIS RECIPE THE SAME AS PINK FLUFF?
Not exactly, while both are pink in color, pink fluff is usually made with cottage cheese and jello, while cherry mixture does not contain cottage cheese and calls for pudding mix.
SHOULD I DRAIN THE JUICE FROM THE PINEAPPLES?
No! Adding the juice into this recipe makes it much more flavorful and also helps the pudding mix dissolve properly.
Expert Tips for Making This Jello Fluff Salad Recipe
Making the perfect cherry salad doesn’t have to be complicated. Here are some tips and tricks to ensure you get a delicious, easy-to-make result every time. With just a few simple steps you can create a tasty, fluffy salad that is sure to please your family and friends. Whether it’s for a special occasion or as an easy lunchtime snack, this fluff salad is sure to hit the spot!
- Recipe Can be Doubled: This recipe is great for a potluck or family barbecue. To make more of this delicious fluff salad, just double the ingredients and place in a larger bowl to store in the fridge.
- Cottage Cheese: For more texture and a little change in flavor you can swap the cool whip for cottage cheese or cream cheese. Cottage cheese is used in a lot of fruit fluff salads.
- Almond Extract: For a more nutty dessert salad you can add in a few drops of almond extract to your fruit mixture.
- Mixing: When mixing your ingredients together, you want to make sure you are folding them in slow and smooth. Using a rubber spatula is the best way to do this.
- Strawberry Pie Filling: Don’t like cherries, instead use strawberry filling.
- Fresh Cherries: This dump and stir recipe is one that is so easy to adapt. Try garnishing with more whipped cram and fresh cherries.
What to Serve with Easy Cherry Fluff Salad Recipe
Cherry Fluff Salad
Equipment
Ingredients
- 3.4 ounce Instant vanilla pudding mix, 1 box
- 20 ounce Crushed pineapple, do not drain
- 8 ounce Cool Whip, 1 tub
- 21 ounce Cherry pie filling
- 4 cups Mini marshmallows
- 1 ½ cups Coconut flakes
- ¾ cup Chopped walnuts OR pecans
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine the vanilla pudding powder and crushed pineapple with the fruit juice. Mix thoroughly until combined.
- Fold the Cool Whip into the bowl with a rubber spatula.
- Pour the cherry pie filling, coconut flakes, chopped nuts, and mini marshmallows into the bowl, fold together, and blend until all the ingredients are thoroughly mixed.
- Place the bowl in the refrigerator for 2-4 hours in order to chill and the cream to thicken.
- If desired, top with additional nuts and cherries when serving.
Expert Tips
- Recipe Can be Doubled: This recipe is great for a potluck or family barbecue. To make more of this delicious fluff salad, just double the ingredients and place in a larger bowl to store in the fridge.
- Cottage Cheese: For more texture and a little change in flavor you can swap the cool whip for cottage cheese. Cottage cheese is used in a lot of fruit fluff salads.
- Almond Extract: For a more nutty fluff salad you can add in a few drops of almond extract to your fruit mixture.
- Mixing: When mixing your ingredients together, you want to make sure you are folding them in slow and smooth. Using a rubber spatula is the best way to do this.