Cherry Fluff

Cherry Fluff is a side dish that’s quick and easy to make. It is made with cherry pie filling crushed pineapple, mini marshmallows, and more!

Do you love easy recipes? I’m all about the easy when it comes to summertime meals. So whenever I can make tasty salads to pair with whatever we are grilling, I’m all in.

Because my grandmother was the queen of toss-together recipes, I am always pulling from her recipe box for fun throw-backs I remember from my childhood – like this Cherry Fluff.

While the recipe has been adapted and altered throughout the decades, the idea remains the same. Fruit and marshmallows and whipped topping are all mixed together for something super tasty to pair with so many main dish recipes.

It can be a side or a dessert. I always loaded up on this one when I was a kid because it always beat out adding veggies as a side instead. I know you’ll love this vintage recipe as much as we do.

Here are some commonly asked questions

How to store leftovers of this cherry fluff salad

This recipe is best when chilled. So take any leftovers and cover and refrigerate. You can either use a serving bowl that has a specific lid or you can use something like a plastic wrap over the top of a regular mixing bowl. As long as it keeps the air out, it should be fine.

Remember to not leave this salad out at either room temperature or outside on a buffet for longer than 30-60 minutes. Anytime beyond that, any uneaten portion should be tossed.

What Is Cherry Fluff Salad?

Cherry fluff salad is often served as a dessert in the US. It is a variation on the Ambrosia Salad that’s been popular for decades in the United States.

Although it is a popular cool whip dessert that can be prepared for Mother’s Day, Easter, Thanksgiving, the 4th of July, and Christmas, there are several options available. It’s refreshing on a hot summer night since it’s a no-bake potluck dish served cold.

While it is typically known as a sugar salad (in the south), you’ll also find it called cherry angel salad, cherry dump salad, pink fluff, pink salad, cherry cool whip dessert, and cherry pie filling dessert in other regions of the country.

There are many variations of this recipe – some made with vanilla pudding mix, or cream cheese, or cottage cheese, or sour cream.

Other Fluff Recipes to Try

• Cranberry Salad Recipe
• Strawberry/ Raspberry Jello Salad
• Ambrosia Salad
• Orange Fluff Salad

Ingredients for Cherry Fluff

• cherry pie filling
• crushed pineapple – drained well
• sweetened condensed milk
• mini marshmallows
• whipped topping – thawed
• pecans – chopped roughly, optional

Can I use regular whipped cream from the can?

You will need to use stabilized whipped cream for this recipe. The stuff from the can that you squirt out will deflate and become liquid after a period of time. This does not do this salad any favors.

I highly discourage you from using that instead. You can use homemade stabilized whipped cream if you don’t want the stuff from the freezer section in the store.

How to Make Cherry Fluff

1. In a large bowl, stir together the cherry pie filling, sweetened condensed milk, and pineapple.
2. Stir in marshmallows.
3. Fold in the whipped topping and the pecans.
4. Cover with plastic wrap and store in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour before serving. Overnight is fine.

Recipe Variations

• Use chopped walnuts in place of the pecans
• Add in shredded coconut
• Mix in frozen fruit
• Change the color of the mini marshmallows
• Try a different canned pie filling flavor
• Add mandarin oranges

Can Cherry Fluff be made ahead of time?

Yes, Cherry Fluff can be made ahead of time and refrigerated until ready to serve.

What’s A Substitute For Crushed Pineapple?

You can either crush your own fresh pineapple, pulse some canned pineapple chunks in the food processor or try this recipe with pineapple tidbits. But I don’t recommend omitting the pineapple altogether.

Can you freeze cherry fluff dessert?

This frozen dessert is hard but pliable, and it may be used as a fluff salad or frozen.

It’s simple to make and may be served alone or with a scoop of ice cream for a delightful dessert. You can spread it out in a casserole dish, freeze it, then remove and slice it after 5-6 hours of freezer time.

How To Use Leftover Pineapple Juice From Canned Pineapple?

Pineapple juice is a delicious and healthy beverage enjoyed by many people around the world. However, there are often times when you have leftover pineapple juice from canned pineapple, and you’re not sure what to do with it. Here are some ideas on how to use leftover pineapple juice:

• Mix it with seltzer water to create a refreshing and healthy beverage.
• Use it as a marinade for chicken or pork.
• Add it to smoothies or juices for an extra boost of flavor and nutrition.
• Make a homemade pineapple soda by mixing the juice with sugar and carbonated water.
• Use it in place of water when making rice, quinoa, or other grain dishes.
• Use it to make a homemade frozen margarita or piña colada. Simply mix the pineapple juice with tequila and ice. Rim the glass with salt, if desired.

What to serve with Cherry Fluff

We typically bring this recipe to potlucks and BBQs. So here are some of our favorite recipes we like to serve with this great side dish.

• Smoked Beef Ribs
• Smoked Pork Butt
• Air Fryer Hot Dogs
• Grilled Boneless Chicken Thighs
• Oven-Baked Chicken
• Oven-Baked Pork Chops
• Grilled Pork Chops
• Garlic Butter Salmon

Products I love when making Cherry Cool Whip Salad…

This salad recipe is SUPER EASY and delicious – and if you’re like me this time of year, then you maybe already have some of these items on hand OR maybe you have never made this type of salad before, & you might be a bit nervous – but you’re going to love it. I have made a list below of the things I absolutely can’t live without when it comes to making this side dish recipe. (you can also SHOP MY FAVORITES in my store)

• prep bowls
• spatula
• measuring cups and spoons
• serving spoon

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If you love this easy cherry fluff recipe, you’re going to love these other sides too. Please click each link below to find the easy, printable recipe!

More Simple Salads

Grilled Corn Pasta Salad

Egg Salad

German Potato Salad

Tuna Salad with Egg

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