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Cherry Fluff is an easy recipe for a classic dessert salad made with cherry pie filling, crushed pineapple, Cool Whip, mini marshmallows and vanilla pudding mix. This easy recipe makes a great side dish for family gatherings or any special occasion!

cherry fluff salad with cool whip and vanilla pudding in a bowl with maraschino cherry on top

This easy cherry fluff dessert salad recipe has been a family favorite at potluck dinners, holiday dinners and special occasions for ages. You might know this classic recipe as the pink stuff, pink salad, cherry angel salad, cherry dump salad, cherry pie filling salad or cherry fruit salad.

With its pretty pink color, this vintage recipe is the perfect no bake dessert salad for Valentine’s Day, Easter, Mother’s Day a baby shower or bridal shower.

But, you don’t have to wait for a special occasion to enjoy this fruity side dish. Cherry fluff makes a delicious no bake dessert recipe anytime during the summer months and is so refreshing on a hot summer’s day!

If you love dessert salads, try my pistachio fluff, strawberry Jello fruit salad, marshmallow fruit salad and check out more dessert recipes on my desserts page.

cherry pie filling, cool whip, crushed pineapple, jello pudding mix and mini marshmallows

Ingredients

You only need a few simple ingredients to make this cherry fluff salad recipe. They can be found in almost any grocery store or online. You can get the exact amounts in the recipe card below.

  • Cherry pie filling — a can of cherry pie filling – any brand will work
  • Crushed pineapple — a can of crushed pineapple and the pineapple juice
  • Instant Vanilla pudding mix — a small box of Jello pudding or any generic brand
  • Cool Whip — Make sure it is thawed, or any whipped topping
  • Mini marshmallows.

How to Make Cherry Fluff

First, add the dry vanilla pudding mix to a large bowl. Then, add the whole undrained can of crushed pineapple to the bowl.

Don’t worry that the extra juice will make the salad soggy — the pudding mix will keep it firm.

Mix the pudding mix and pineapple until well combined.

mix crushed pineapple with vanilla pudding mix in large bowl

Next, add the can of cherry pie filling to the pudding mixture. Stir the pie filling until well blended.

mix cherry pie filling with pineapple mixture in large mixing bowl

Finally, gently fold in the whipped topping and mini marshmallows using a large spoon or spatula.

The mixture should be a pretty shade of pink when fully combined.

fold cool whip and mini marshmallows in pink fluff salad

How to Store

Store the pink fluff in an airtight container or in the mixing bowl covered with plastic wrap in your refrigerator. You can transfer the fluff to a pretty serving bowl when you are ready to eat.

Cherry Cool Whip salad keeps for about 4 days in the fridge before it starts to break down. But, this is a great make-ahead dessert and very easy to transport!

bowl of pink fluff salad with cherries and marshmallows

How to Serve

Serve cherry fluff salad with extra mini marshmallows and 1 or 2 maraschino cherries on top. This is such a pretty presentation!

You can also add fresh cherries on the top if you like.

Recipe Variations

Instead of pudding mix, stir in a can of sweetened condensed milk. If you do this, you will need to drain the pineapple so the salad doesn’t get soggy.

For a cherry cheesecake salad, use an 8 oz block of cream cheese at room temperature instead of pudding mix.

You can also use sour cream or cottage cheese instead of condensed milk or pudding mix in this easy dump dessert. Instead of whipped topping, make homemade whipped cream or use homemade cherry pie filling.

If you like nuts, add chopped walnuts or almonds for extra crunch. Stir in a can of drained fruit cocktail in this cherry fruit salad.

bowl of cherry salad with marshmallows
5 from 6 votes

Cherry Fluff Recipe

By: Dee
Cherry Fluff is an easy recipe for a classic dessert salad made with cherry pie filling, crushed pineapple, Cool Whip, mini marshmallows and vanilla pudding mix. This easy recipe makes a great side dish for family gatherings or any special occasion!
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
Servings: 10 servings

Ingredients  

  • 1 3.4-ounce box of instant vanilla pudding mix
  • 1 20-ounce can crushed pineapple not drained
  • 1 21-oz can cherry pie filling
  • 1 8-ounce container whipped topping thawed
  • 1 ½ cups mini marshmallows
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Instructions 

  • Mix the pineapple with the pudding mix in a large bowl until well combined
  • Stir in the cherry pie filling
  • Fold in the whipped topping
  • Stir in the mini marshmallows
  • Refrigerate until ready to serve

Notes

Refrigerate until ready to serve. Store leftovers in refrigerator in airtight container. 
Can be made a day ahead of time.

Nutrition

Calories: 25kcal, Carbohydrates: 6g, Protein: 0.1g, Fat: 0.03g, Saturated Fat: 0.01g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.004g, Monounsaturated Fat: 0.01g, Cholesterol: 0.002mg, Sodium: 7mg, Potassium: 1mg, Fiber: 0.01g, Sugar: 4g, Vitamin A: 0.3IU, Vitamin C: 0.01mg, Calcium: 0.3mg, Iron: 0.02mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Salad, Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Like this? Leave a comment below!

I hope you enjoy this easy cherry fluff recipe as much as my family does. This pretty pink salad is the perfect make-ahead recipe and one of the first side dishes to go at holiday dinners and summer BBQs!

If you do try this vintage side salad, please leave a star rating and/or comment.

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1 Comment

  1. Kathy says:

    Wow! This is awesome! What great flavors! This was a hit all around!5 stars