Cherries in the Snow

Cherries in the Snow is a vintage no-bake cherry dessert made with light and fluffy angel food cake, sweet cream cheese, Cool Whip, and cherry pie filling. This quick and easy treat takes just 15 minutes to make and looks beautiful on any holiday table.

Want to save this recipe?

Enter your email below and we’ll send the recipe straight to your inbox (and more recipes sent daily!)

Email Address *

Save

Ingredients You’ll Need

• Cream cheese: Use full-fat cream cheese at room temperature for a smooth texture and rich flavor.
• Powdered sugar: Adds sweetness to the cream layer; adjust the amount to suit your taste.
• Milk: Whole milk adds richness, but 2% works just as well if that’s what you have on hand.
• Vanilla extract (add a little almond extract for a cherry almond twist)
• Whipped topping: A tub of Cool Whip keeps it convenient, or make homemade whipped cream if you prefer.
• Angel food cake: For convenience, use a store-bought angel food cake. If you prefer to bake your own, allow the cake to cool completely before cutting it into small pieces.
• Cherry pie filling: Substitute with blueberry pie filling, strawberry pie filling, peach pie filling, raspberry pie filling, or even mixed berry pie filling. This recipe is versatile and works well with a variety of fruit filling flavors.
  

See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.

How to Make Cherries in the Snow

1. Beat: Use an electric hand mixer to beat the cream cheese in a large bowl on medium-high speed until light and fluffy. Add the powdered sugar and beat again until fully incorporated.
2. Make The Cream Cheese Mixture: Add the milk and vanilla extract to the bowl with sweetened cream cheese and beat on medium speed until the mixture is smooth and fluffy.
3. Fold: Fold the whipped topping into the cream cheese mixture. Then fold the pieces of angel food cake into the whipped mixture.
4. Assemble: Spread the mixture in an even layer in a baking dish and spoon the cherry pie filling on top. 
5. Chill: Refrigerate for a minimum of 30 minutes, up to 2 hours.
6. Serve: Scoop, serve, and enjoy!

Expert Tips & Variations

• Soften the cream cheese fully: Room temperature cream cheese blends more smoothly, preventing lumps in the filling.
• Use quality cherry pie filling: Opt for a brand with whole cherries and rich flavor for both the best taste and beautiful presentation.
• Fold gently: Carefully fold in the whipped topping and cake cubes to keep the texture light and airy.
• Set before serving: Let the dessert set in the fridge for at least 30 minutes so the layers have time to hold together and the flavors combine.
• Display your layered dessert: For a show-stopping presentation, skip the baking dish and layer the angel food cake dessert in a trifle dish or large glass bowl. For party-sized portions, use clear cups.

Storage & Make-Ahead Instructions

• Refrigeration: Store leftover Cherries in the Snow tightly covered with plastic wrap or in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. The dessert holds its shape well and stays fresh when chilled.
• Make Ahead: You can prepare Cherries in the Snow up to 24 hours in advance. This actually enhances the flavor as the layers have time to meld together. Just keep it refrigerated until you’re ready to serve.
• Serving suggestion: Serve the dessert cold, straight from the fridge. If it’s been sitting out for a while, give it a quick chill before serving to refresh the texture.
• Shelf life tip: After about 2–3 days, the angel food cake may start to soften and lose its airy texture, so it’s best enjoyed within that window for optimal taste and presentation.

More Desserts With Fruit

• Cherry Dump Cake
• Strawberry Shortcake Trifle
• Oreo Pie Recipe
• Watergate Salad (Pistachio Salad)

If you tried this Cherries in the Snow Recipe or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below. Thanks for visiting!!!

5 from 4 votes

Cherries in the Snow

Author — Jennifer Fishkind

Serves — 12

Cherries in the Snow is a light and fluffy no-bake dessert made with layers of angel food cake, sweetened cream cheese, and cherry pie filling. Sweet, creamy, cool, and delicious!

PrintRatePin Save Saved

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Chill time 30 minutes mins

Total Time 45 minutes mins

Ingredients

 

• ▢ 12 ounces block style cream cheese room temperature
• ▢ ¾ cup powdered sugar sifted
• ▢ ⅓ cup whole milk
• ▢ ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
• ▢ 8 ounces frozen whipped topping thawed, cool Whip brand used
• ▢ 1 pre-baked angel food cake torn into ¾-1 inch pieces, a 15 ounce, 9-inch, store bought cake was used
• ▢ 42 ounce (2 – 21 ounce) cans cherry pie filling Comstock brand used

Instructions

 

• Beat the cream cheese in a large bowl, on medium-high speed with an electric mixer, for 1-2 minutes or until light and fluffy with no lumps remaining.
  12 ounces block style cream cheese
• To the beaten cream cheese, add the powdered sugar and beat again until fully incorporated.
  ¾ cup powdered sugar
• Add the whole milk and vanilla extract to the bowl and beat on medium speed until the cream cheese mixture is smooth and fluffy. Be sure to scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl to ensure all the ingredients are well blended.
  ⅓ cup whole milk, ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
• Fold the thawed whipped topping into the cream cheese mixture until no white streak remains and the whipped topping is fully incorporated.
  8 ounces frozen whipped topping
• Very gently fold the torn pieces of angel food cake into the cream cheese mixture until completely incorporated, being careful not to break up the angel food pieces too much as you combine all the ingredients.
  1 pre-baked angel food cake
• Transfer the cream cheese mixture to a 9×13 baking dish and spread to an even layer.
• Spoon the cherry pie filling evenly over the cream cheese mixture.
  42 ounce (2 – 21 ounce) cans cherry pie filling
• Refrigerate the cherries in the snow for a minimum of 30 minutes, up to 2 hours, or until the flavors have combined and the cream cheese layer has set before scooping and serving.

Jenn’s Notes

Storage :

• Refrigeration: Store leftover Cherries in the Snow tightly covered with plastic wrap or in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. The dessert holds its shape well and stays fresh when chilled.

• Make Ahead: You can prepare Cherries in the Snow up to 24 hours in advance. This actually enhances the flavor as the layers have time to meld together. Just keep it refrigerated until you’re ready to serve.

• Serving suggestion: Serve the dessert cold, straight from the fridge. If it’s been sitting out for a while, give it a quick chill before serving to refresh the texture.

• Shelf life tip: After about 2–3 days, the angel food cake may start to soften and lose its airy texture, so it’s best enjoyed within that window for optimal taste and presentation.

Tips :

• Room temperature cream cheese blends more smoothly, preventing lumps in the filling.

• Opt for a brand with whole cherries and rich flavor for both the best taste and beautiful presentation.

• Carefully fold in the whipped topping and cake cubes to keep the texture light and airy.

• Let the dessert set in the fridge for at least 30 minutes so the layers have time to hold together and the flavors combine.

• For a show-stopping presentation, skip the baking dish and layer the angel food cake dessert in a trifle dish or large glass bowl.

Nutrition Info

Calories: 206kcal | Carbohydrates: 43g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 2g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.4g | Cholesterol: 7mg | Sodium: 233mg | Potassium: 214mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 12g | Vitamin A: 262IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 139mg | Iron: 0.3mg

Tried This Recipe?

Mention @princesspinkygirl Or Tag #Princesspinkygirl