Cherry fluff is the ultimate no-bake dessert salad that’s quick, easy, and irresistibly sweet. This pink treat is perfect for potlucks, holidays, or any fuss-free dessert, made with cherry pie filling, crushed pineapple, whipped topping, and marshmallows. Whether you serve it as a sweet side or a simple dessert, it’s always a crowd favorite!
The name Cherry Fluff Salad might be a bit misleading, but like Ambrosia Salad and Strawberry Pretzel Salad it’s more of a sweet dessert than a typical salad.
Fluff Salad
Making cherry fluff is so simple it feels like cheating! You only need a few pantry staples and 15 minutes to whip up this sweet, creamy dessert recipe. Start by mixing sweetened condensed milk with cherry pie filling, pineapple chunks, and Cool Whip, then stir in mini marshmallows and crunchy pecans for that extra pop of texture. It’s like a fruity, fluffy hug served by the scoop!
If you’ve never tried cherry fluff before, you’re in for a treat. This no-bake dessert is part fruit salad, part dessert, and completely irresistible. Sometimes called Cherry Dump Salad, it’s one of those recipes that works just as well as a sweet side dish for a big holiday dinner as it does as a dessert for a laid-back family gathering. One bite, and you’ll see why this nostalgic dish keeps making a comeback.
What’s great about this recipe is, not only the simple ingredients, but how versatile it is. Don’t like pecans? Swap them for walnuts—or skip the nuts altogether. Want it extra fruity? Toss in some mandarin oranges or shredded coconut. You really can’t mess this up, and that’s what makes it so fun to make (and eat).
Cherry Fluff Ingredients
- Cherry pie filling: Any berry pie filling can be substituted for the cherry pie filling. If you prefer, you can make your own homemade cherry pie filling with fresh cherries.
- Crushed pineapple: There is no need to chop, cut, or dice–simply drain well and dump it into the cherry fluff fruit salad! Feel free to replace the pineapple with mandarin oranges or a drained fruit cocktail. Bananas, grapes, strawberries, coconut, blueberry and kiwi are good options.
- Sweetened condensed milk: Make sure you use sweetened condensed milk, not evaporated milk.
- Whipped topping: This is what binds the salad together! Cool Whip is the perfect whipped topping for this cherry pie fluff recipe. Homemade whipped cream will lose its texture and fall apart too quickly to hold these types of desserts together.
- Vanilla extract
- Almond extract
- Mini marshmallows: Add a soft, chewy texture that complements the creamy base. You can use multi-colored mini marshmallows for more pops of color in your cherry fluff pie.
- Chopped pecans: Create a crunchy, nutty contrast to the smoothness of the creamy base. Chopped nuts of any variety can be used instead of pecans. Pistachios and walnuts will also taste great!
- Maraschino cherries: Bring a pop of vibrant color to the top of this cherry fluff salad recipe.
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
How to Make Cherry Fluff
- Make The Fruit Mixture: In a large bowl, combine the cherry pie filling and the crushed pineapple.
- Make The Milk Mixture: Stir together the sweetened condensed milk, vanilla, and almond extract.
- Form The Fluff: Pour the milk mixture over the fruit, add the whipped topping, and stir to combine. Fold in the marshmallows and pecans, cover, and chill in the fridge for 2 hours.
- Serve: Just before serving, top with mini marshmallows and maraschino cherries. Enjoy!
Serving Suggestions
Cherry fluff can be eaten right away, but it’s best chilled. It’s the perfect make-ahead dish that can quickly be added as a last-minute menu addition to balance out all the vegetable sides. This pretty pink fluff is great for parties, potlucks, barbecues, Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Mother’s Day, or any time you crave a creamy sweet treat.
Wondering what to do with your leftover pineapple juice? Why not make a pineapple rum punch, a pina colada, or dole whip popsicles?
Tips & Variations
- Forgo The Pie Filling: If you use fresh cherries instead of cherry pie filling, don’t forget to remove the pits! Toss the pitted fruit in a food processor to chop and add ¼ cup sugar. Allow the cherry juice to melt the sugar before mixing with the pineapple.
- Use Fresh Fruit: Be selective when using fresh fruit. Don’t use fruit that contains a lot of liquid, as this will break down the whipped topping. Fresh fruit will also shorten the shelf life of this fluff recipe.
Proper Storage
- To Store: Store any leftovers in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
- Make Ahead: You can make the cherry fluff up to 2 days ahead of time.
- To Freeze: I do not recommend freezing this recipe. When it thaws, the cherry salad will likely be watery and soggy.
More Fluff Salad Recipes
Love fluff salads? Check out some of our other flavors!
- Oreo Fluff
- Pineapple Fluff
- Pineapple Fluff
- Strawberry Fluff Salad
- Peanut Butter Fluff
- Banana Split Fluff
- S’mores Fluff
If you tried this Cherry Fluff 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!!!
Cherry Fluff
Ingredients
- 21 ounce can cherry pie filling
- 20 ounce can crushed pineapple thoroughly drained
- 14 ounce can sweetened condensed milk
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon almond extract
- 8 ounce tub whipped topping thawed
- 2¾ cup mini marshmallows divided (2 ½ cup and ¼ cup for garnish)
- ½ cup finely chopped pecans
- 4 maraschino cherries with stems attached (optional garnish)
Instructions
- Using a large mixing bowl, add the cherry pie filling and the drained crushed pineapple.21 ounce can cherry pie filling, 20 ounce can crushed pineapple
- Using a small mixing bowl, stir together sweetened condensed milk, vanilla and almond extract.14 ounce can sweetened condensed milk, ½ teaspoon vanilla extract, ½ teaspoon almond extract
- Pour the sweetened condensed milk mixture over the cherry pie filling and the crushed pineapple.
- Add the thawed whipped topping and stir to completely combine.8 ounce tub whipped topping
- Fold in the 2 ½ cups mini-marshmallows and chopped pecans. Cover tightly and chill in the refrigerator for 2 hours.2¾ cup mini marshmallows, ½ cup finely chopped pecans
- Just before serving, evenly sprinkle the ¼ cup mini-marshmallows and the maraschino cherries.4 maraschino cherries with stems attached
Jenn’s Notes
- If you choose to use fresh cherries instead of cherry pie filling, don’t forget to remove the pits! Toss them in a food processor to chop and add ¼ cup sugar. Allow the cherry juice to melt the sugar before mixing with the pineapple.
- This cherry fluff can be eaten right away, but it is best chilled and can be made up to 2 days in advance.
- Be selective if you use fresh fruit. Don’t use fruit that contains a lot of liquid because it will break down the whipped topping. Fresh fruit will also shorten the shelf life of this fluff recipe.
- Cool Whip is the perfect whipped topping for this recipe. Homemade whipped cream will lose its texture and start to fall apart too quickly to hold this cherry fluff together.
I’m not good at making deserts. Your recipes look simple. I would like to try them. Thank you for sharing. Jojo from Oklahoma
great recipe thank you for sharing