This cherry fluff salad is as delicious as it is easy to make. This rich dessert is loaded with the sweetness of fruit and whipped topping and the tangy kick of cream cheese. It’s a classic dessert that everyone loves. You’ll love how easy it is to make.
Cherry fluff is a staple of tables all across the country, especially at holiday gatherings and other special occasions. This easy recipe has been around for as long as I can remember, and I’ve been making it for as long as I’ve been cooking. I love serving it as a dessert at home or bringing it to special gatherings like holiday parties, potlucks, and backyard parties. In fact, I usually bring a double batch because it goes so quickly!
Cherry Fluff Salad
This delicious dessert starts with a base of softened cream cheese, whipped topping, and cherry juice. Then, I add fruit cocktail, crushed pineapple, maraschino cherries, and mini marshmallows. When it’s all blended together, I end up with a rich, sweet, and tangy dessert that’s always a hit at every gathering I bring it to. My family and friends love how delicious it is, and I love how easy it is to make. Everybody wins!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- It only uses a handful of simple ingredients.
- It’s super easy to make and a staple summer dessert.
- It’s the perfect combination of sweet and tangy.
Ingredients
You’ll only need a few ingredients to make this recipe, and they’re all found at your local grocery store. Most of them are even in the same aisle. You’ll find the list here, but check the recipe card at the end of the post for exact quantities.
- Cream cheese, softened
- Whipped topping, thawed
- Fruit cocktail, drained
- Crushed pineapple, drained
- Maraschino cherries, drained (1/4 cup juice set aside)
- Mini marshmallows
Instructions
Making this recipe is just as easy as getting the ingredients together. It only takes a few minutes and even fewer steps. It really is so simple.
Step 1: Combine Cream Cheese and Whipped Topping
Beat cream cheese and whipped topping together in a large mixing bowl using a hand held mixer or stand mixer until blended. Then, add the cherry juice and mix well.
Step 2: Add Fruit and Mini Marshmallows
Add the drained fruits and mix with a spoon. Then, add the marshmallows and stir.
Step 3: Chill
Refrigerate for at least an hour and enjoy!
Substitutions and Variations
- Use colored marshmallows for a more festive version.
- Try adding chopped nuts for more flavor and texture.
- Use berries in place of the fruit cocktail and pineapple for a berry-licious variation.
Equipment
- Mixing bowl and hand mixer OR stand mixer
- Spoon
- Air-tight container
Storage
Refrigerator: Store for up to 5 days in an air-tight container.
Freezer: Store for up to a month in an air-tight, freezer-safe container.
Make Ahead: You can make this about a day ahead of time. Although it will last longer, it’s prettiest the day you make it or the day after.
What to Serve with Cherry Fluff Salad
This delicious dessert is a classic summer treat, and you’ll almost always find it at parties and barbecues. It’s perfect when served alongside all your favorite outdoor party foods. Just a few options include:
Tips
- Be sure your cream cheese is fully softened for complete blending and to avoid little bits of raw cream cheese in the fluff.
- Be sure you drain your canned fruits extremely thoroughly to avoid a watery fluff salad.
- Be sure your whipped topping is fully thawed for easy blending.
More Fluff Recipes
If you love fluff of all kinds, then you’ll want to check out these recipes.
- Orange Creamsicle Fluff Salad
- Millionaire Chocolate Chunk Marshmallow Fluff Cake
- Millionaire Mashmallow Fluff Cake
FAQ
What is cherry fluff salad?
It’s a vintage dump-and-stir recipe made with cream cheese, whipped cream, and canned fruit. Nuts are often added, as well.
Why is my cherry fluff salad watery?
If you just made it, you probably didn’t drain your canned fruits well enough. If you made it a day or two beforehand, then it’s simply due to totally normal separation. Just give it a quick stir before serving.
Why can’t this fluff be frozen for longer than a month?
After about a month, ice crystals will begin to form in the cream cheese mixture, resulting in a grainy, unappetizing texture.
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Cherry Fluff Salad
This cherry fluff salad is as delicious as it is easy to make. This rich dessert is loaded with the sweetness of fruit and whipped topping and the tangy kick of cream cheese. It’s a classic dessert that everyone loves. You’ll love how easy it is to make.
Ingredients
- 8 ounce packaged cream cheese softened, you can use reduced fat for this recipe but fat free will not work.
- 8 ounce container whipped topping, thawed (Like Cool Whip)
- 15 ounce can fruit cocktail, drained. Saved the juice for drinking or for another recipe. (Great on chicken dishes)
- 1 can crushed pineapple drained, either 15.25 ounce or 20 ounce
- 1 12 or 16 ounce maraschino cherries, drained, save 1/4 cup juice
- 3 cups mini marshmallows
Instructions
-
1.In a large bowl or stand mixer, beat cream cheese and whipped topping until well blended.
2.Add cherry juice, mix well.
3.Add fruit cocktail, crushed pineapple, maraschino cherries, and mix with a spoon.
4.Add marshmallows, and give it a quick stir.
5.Refrigerate for at least an hour and a half before serving.
Enjoy!
