Cherry Fluff Salad
Cherry fluff salad is my go-to dessert whenever I need something quick and impressive. This creamy, cloud-like treat combines tart cherries with fluffy whipped cream, and I promise your guests will ask for seconds.
What makes me love cherry fluff salad so much? It takes minutes to throw together, tastes absolutely delicious, and looks gorgeous on the table.
Whether you’re heading to a potluck or feeding your family at dinner, this dessert never disappoints. Plus, you can make it ahead of time, which takes the stress out of entertaining!
Ingredients You’ll Need
This cherry fluff salad uses simple things you probably have at home. Check the recipe card below for exact amounts.
- Cherry Pie Filling: The sweet and tart canned filling that gives your salad its signature cherry flavor and pretty red color.
- Heavy Whipping Cream: Whips up into fluffy clouds and becomes the base of your entire dessert masterpiece.
- Mini Marshmallows: These little puffs add sweetness and that nostalgic flavor everyone remembers from childhood.
- Condensed Milk: Makes everything rich, creamy, and helps keep your whipped cream stable and perfectly fluffy.
- Vanilla Extract: A splash of this makes your dessert taste warm and cozy.
- Pecans or Walnuts: Chopped nuts give you that satisfying crunch and nutty taste that makes this salad special.
Maraschino Cherries: Bright red cherries sit on top for extra color and a fun, sweet touch to finish your dessert.
How to Make Cherry Fluff Salad?
Making this fluffy dream is honestly super easy and fun. Just follow along step by step and watch your dessert come together.
Step 1: Prepare Your Whipped Cream Base
Grab 1 cup heavy whipping cream and pour it into your big mixing bowl. Turn on your electric mixer to medium speed and whip for about 3-5 minutes until stiff peaks form. Stop before you turn it into butter—that’s the tricky part, but you’ve got this!
Step 2: Combine Condensed Milk and Vanilla
Pour in 1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk and add 2 teaspoons vanilla extract to your fluffy cream. Now comes the fun part….Gently fold this together about 8-10 times with your rubber spatula, keeping all that beautiful air inside.
Step 3: Add Cherry Pie Filling
Slowly pour 2 cans (21 oz each) cherry pie filling into your creamy mixture. Fold gently another 12-15 times to spread the cherries around evenly, making sure you don’t deflate your fluffy base.
Step 4: Add Mini Marshmallows
Stir in 2 cups of mini marshmallows by folding gently one more time. The marshmallows stay puffy and add little pockets of sweetness throughout your entire dessert.
Step 5: Add Nuts for Crunch
Fold in 1 cup chopped pecans or walnuts carefully so they spread all through your salad. Save about ½ cup to sprinkle on top later—it looks fancy that way!
Step 6: Transfer to Serving Dish
Scoop your beautiful cherry fluff salad into your serving dish and spread it out evenly with your spatula. I love using a trifle bowl for this because it shows gorgeous layers. Top it with those reserved nuts, marshmallows, or some maraschino cherries to make it look restaurant-ready.
Step 7: Refrigerate Before Serving
Cover everything with plastic wrap and pop it in the fridge for at least 2 hours. This time, let’s all the flavors get cozy together and keep your dessert perfectly chilled for enjoying.
Tips for the Best Cherry Fluff Salad
These little tricks help your salad turn out amazing every single time.
- Chill Everything First: Stick your mixing bowl and beaters in the freezer for 15 minutes before you start whipping cream—this makes everything whip up faster and fluffier.
- Fold, Don’t Stir: Use gentle folding motions with your spatula instead of stirring hard, so you keep all that beautiful air trapped inside your dessert.
- Keep the salad Cold: Start with cream straight from your fridge—cold cream whips way better and stays fluffy longer than warm cream does.
- Drain Some Cherry Juice: Before folding in that cherry filling, drain off a little juice so your salad doesn’t get soggy and watery as it sits.
- Make it Fresh: Prepare this dessert just a couple of hours before you plan to serve it for the fluffiest, best texture possible.
Variations and Substitutions
Want to switch things up? Try these fun ideas that keep your dessert creamy and delicious.
- Go Tropical: Swap the cherry filling for pineapple filling, and suddenly you’ve got a tropical vacation in a bowl!
- Berry Blast: Mix cherry filling with blueberry or raspberry filling for a rainbow of fruity flavors and stunning colors.
- Add Almond: Drop in ½ teaspoon almond extract with your vanilla for a fancy, sophisticated flavor that surprises your taste buds.
- Use Whipped Topping: Grab a tub of store-bought whipped topping instead of whipping cream if you want to save time and skip the mixer entirely.
- Coconut Paradise: Fold in 1 cup shredded coconut to add tropical vibes and fun texture that matches the cherries beautifully.
Make-Ahead and Storage Tips
This dessert is honestly the best for hosting because you can make it way ahead of time. You can prep your cherry fluff salad a whole day before your party and just stick it in the fridge covered with plastic wrap. Keep it chilled at 40 degrees or colder to stay food-safe and fresh.
As it sits in the fridge, the whipped cream soaks up some of the cherry juice and gets a bit denser—and honestly, a lot of people like it even better that way! Wait to add your fresh garnishes and nuts right before serving so they stay crunchy and pretty.
Recipe FAQs
Can I make this without condensed milk?
Sure! Mix powdered sugar with a little milk instead, though the condensed milk version honestly tastes better and easier to make.
How long will this salad last in the fridge?
Your salad stays yummy for up to three days when you cover it with plastic wrap and keep it cold.
Can I freeze this for later?
Nope, freezing doesn’t work well because thawing breaks down the whipped cream and makes everything watery and sad.
What if I don’t have mini marshmallows?
Grab regular marshmallows and just chop them up into little pieces before you fold them in—works perfectly!
Is cherry fluff salad gluten-free?
Most ingredients are naturally gluten-free, but always check your specific pie filling and marshmallow brands just to be safe.
Can I use fresh cherries instead of canned filling?
You absolutely can, but fresh cherries release more juice and might make things watery—just drain them really well first.
Cherry Fluff Salad
Ingredients
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- 1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 cans (21 oz) each cherry pie filling
- 2 cups mini marshmallows
- 1 cup chopped pecans or walnuts
- ½ cup maraschino cherries for garnish
Instructions
- Whip your cream: Pour heavy whipping cream into your big mixing bowl and whip it with your electric mixer on medium speed for 3-5 minutes until you see stiff peaks forming beautifully.
- Combine condensed milk and vanilla: Stir in 1 can sweetened condensed milk and 2 teaspoons vanilla extract…. Then gently fold them together about 8-10 times using your rubber spatula to keep things fluffy.
- Fold in the cherries: Pour cherry pie filling into your cream mixture and fold gently about 12-15 times to spread those cherries around without smashing all your hard work flat.
- Add the marshmallows: Fold in 2 cups mini marshmallows carefully so they stay puffy and distribute evenly throughout your salad creation.
- Toss in the nuts: Fold in 1 cup chopped pecans or walnuts and save ½ cup for sprinkling on top to make your dessert look fancy and delicious.
- Transfer to serving dish: Scoop your cherry fluff salad into your pretty serving bowl and spread it out evenly using your spatula for a gorgeous presentation.
- Chill and garnish: Top your salad with those reserved nuts and maraschino cherries, cover it with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 2 hours before you serve it.
Notes
- Chill your mixing bowl and beaters in the freezer for 15 minutes before whipping—this makes everything fluffier and faster.
- Fold gently instead of stirring hard so you keep all that beautiful air inside your dessert.
- Make this salad just a couple of hours before eating for the best fluffy texture—YUM!
- Store leftovers covered in the fridge for up to three days as they gradually get denser.
- Bring this to every potluck—ENJOY watching your guests’ happy faces!
