This Cherry Fluff Recipe is a light dessert made with sweet cherry pie filling, fluffy marshmallows, and vanilla yogurt for an extra creamy texture. Crushed pineapple helps balance the sweetness, creating the perfect combination of fruity and tangy flavors. Best of all, it comes together in just minutes, making it an easy dessert to enjoy anytime.
Cherry Fluff Recipe Essentials
- 🍽️ Course: Dessert / Salad
- ⏱️ Cooking Time: 10 minutes + chill time
- 🍴 Servings: 8 servings
- 🍒 Flavor Profile: Sweet, creamy, fruity, and fluffy with cherry, pineapple, marshmallow, and a hint of tang from vanilla yogurt.
- 🍚 Best Served With: Holiday meals, potlucks, barbecues, or as a light dessert on its own.
- 🧊 Make Ahead?: Yes, chill for at least 1 hour before serving
Summarize and Save This Content On
I love bringing this to summer BBQs because it travels well and is so easy to make ahead. Cherries and pineapple are a timeless combination, and the sweet, fruity flavors always remind me why it's such a classic.
I also make it just to enjoy at home with Ken when we're craving a simple, sweet treat. It's definitely one of my all-time favorite dessert salad recipes! If you're craving more no-bake cherry desserts, you'll love cherry cream cheese pie and cherry icebox cake.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- It's perfect to make ahead: Since it needs some time in the refrigerator, you can make this dessert in advance, and then it will be ready when you want it!
- Only 10 minutes of work: This cherry fluff dessert is ready to go in the fridge to chill in a matter of minutes!
- It's customizable: I love that you can swap in and add ingredients to this cherry dessert salad to make it feel more like your own recipe.
Ingredients
Everything you need for this cherry and whipped cream recipe is listed here. It's only 5 ingredients, plus an optional garnish!
- Cherry pie filling: Any brand of canned cherry pie filling is great here, so go with your favorite. If you have a homemade recipe that you prefer to use, that works as well! I go with a canned version for convenience. I use it in cherry cheesecake dip, too.
- Whipped topping: Thaw the whipped topping in the refrigerator before you use it. Using it still frozen or partially frozen will change the texture.
- Crushed pineapple: I add a can of drained crushed pineapple because the flavor pairs well with the cherry pie filling. If you want larger chunks of pineapple, use diced instead.
- Vanilla yogurt: This is one of my favorite ingredients in this recipe because it adds a velvety texture to the cherry marshmallow salad. If you prefer, you may use plain yogurt instead.
- Mini marshmallows: This is a classic ingredient in fluff desserts. They add a lovely chewy texture, so each bite isn't one note.
- Cherries: Top the cherry salad with either fresh or frozen cherries to level up the presentation.
See the recipe card below for exact ingredient amounts, nutritional information, and detailed instructions.
Variations
- Add more fruit: Stir in some extra fruit like mandarin orange slices, chopped strawberries, or peaches for more texture.
- Add nuts for texture: Fold in some chopped walnuts or pecans. It even works as a topping for extra crunch.
- Try a different pie filling: Try this recipe with another canned pie filling like blueberry, apple, or peach.
- Use Greek yogurt: Make this with Greek yogurt instead of regular for extra protein.
How to Make Cherry Fluff Salad
To get started, measure the ingredients and drain the pineapple.
Step 1: Combine the fluff ingredients. Start by combining the yogurt with the whipped topping and crushed pineapple.
Step 2: Add the cherry pie filling and marshmallows. Add the cherry pie filling and chill the fluff salad for about an hour. Fold in the mini marshmallows before serving it with this sheet pan chocolate chip cookie.
Expert Tips
- Drain the pineapple well: When you drain the pineapple, remove as much moisture as you possibly can to keep the cherry marshmallow dessert creamy and fluffy.
- Chill before adding marshmallows: Wait to add the marshmallows until right before serving because they can become mushy.
- Prepare it a day in advance: This fluff salad tastes even better the next day, so I highly recommend making it a day ahead of time. Chilling overnight allows the flavors to develop and meld more.
- Storage directions: Store the cherry salad in an airtight container for up to 5 days in the refrigerator. A little separation is normal; just stir it, and you're good to go.
Cherries in the snow is another one of my favorite creamy cherry desserts!
Serving Suggestions
- Fruit dippers: Use fresh fruit as dippers in this cherry fluff! Apple slices, strawberries, chunks of pineapple, or even mango work wonderfully.
- Cookies: A buttery cookie, like shortbread or graham crackers, goes well with the sweetness. Go for something richer, like these chocolate caramel cookies, too.
- Dessert bar: Add this cherry salad recipe to a homemade dessert bar. Some other desserts to feature include banana blondies and pb and j bars.
Cherry Fluff Recipe FAQs
Yes! Simply simmer 3 cups of pitted, fresh cherries with ¼ cup of sugar and 1 tablespoon of lemon juice until they're soft and syrupy, then let the mixture cool completely before stirring it into the salad.
I don't recommend it because, as it thaws, it becomes soupy and grainy.
This can happen if you don't thoroughly drain the pineapple or if you use canned whipped cream instead of whipped topping. Canned or even homemade whipped cream can't stand up to the other ingredients in the salad, and mixing it causes it to deflate and become watery.
It's both! The popularity of sweet salads like Jello salad and ambrosia is where the "salad" part comes from, but this it's most certainly a dessert.
More Fluff Dessert Recipes
Do you like fluff recipes? Here are some recipes you may also like to try.
If you try this recipe and love it please leave a star rating in the recipe card below or even better, drop a review in the comment section. I always appreciate your feedback. Be sure to follow along with me on Facebook, Pinterest, and YouTube for more easy recipes!
Cherry Fluff Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 can (21 oz) cherry pie filling
- 1 tub (8 oz) whipped topping thawed
- 1 can (20 oz) crushed pineapple, drained well
- ¼ cup vanilla yogurt
- 3 cups mini marshmallows plus extra for topping
- ½ cup cherries
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine the whipped topping, crushed pineapple, and yogurt until well combined and creamy smooth.
- Once combined, add the cherry pie filling. Stir until all ingredients are well incorporated. Cover and set in your refrigerator for at least 1 hour to allow the flavors to meld.
- Fold in the mini marshmallows until they are all coated in the cherry fluff flavoring.
- Place the cherry fluff in your refrigerator, covered, until ready to serve. Once ready, top with extra mini marshmallows and the cherries. Enjoy!
Notes
- Add the mini marshmallows just before serving to keep them soft and chewy. If added too early, they can become mushy as they sit in the salad.
- To prevent watery cherry fluff, thoroughly drain the crushed pineapple before mixing it in. Also, use whipped topping rather than canned or homemade whipped cream, which can deflate and release liquid when combined with the other ingredients.
- Drain the pineapple thoroughly before adding it to the salad. Removing as much liquid as possible helps keep the dessert creamy and fluffy.
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