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This is a classic dessert salad: Cherry Fluff! This easy potluck recipe has cherries and pineapple mixed with cool whip and pudding mix and marshmallows to make the perfect easy side dish or dessert!

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Turquoise mug filled with cherry fluff with a cherry on top

What is Cherry Fluff?

Basically, it’s a dessert salad. Popular at potlucks or as a side dish for holidays, Fluff is a creamy sweet recipe that starts with pudding mix and has cherries and other fruit and is made extra fluffy with mini marshmallows and whipped topping.

There are so many variations to Cherry Fluff Salad – you can make it with cream cheese, any pudding mix flavor, different fruit, but no matter how you make it, it’s a classic recipe that everyone loves.

Overhead shot showing five ingredients needed to make cherry fluff

Ingredients in Cherry Fluff Dessert

For my version you just need 5 ingredients:

  1. Cherry Pie Filling: You can use my homemade cherry pie filling or a 20 ounce can from the store.
  2. Crushed Pineapple: This adds flavor and sweetness to the fluff, and helps create the creamy pudding.
  3. Pudding Mix: Be sure to use instant pudding mix, not cooked.
  4. Cool Whip: Use any kind of whipped topping you like.
  5. Mini Marshmallows: These add bulk and make the fluff nice and, well, fluffy.

How to make Cherry Fluff Salad

This recipe couldn’t be any easier: one bowl, just stir and chill.

Overhead shot of mixing bowl with pineapple, cherries and pudding mix

1. Add the cherry pie filling, pineapple, and pudding mix to a large bowl. Stir.

2. Fold in the cool whip.

Overhead shot showing cool whip being mixed into bowl with other ingredients

3. Then stir in the marshmallows.

Overhead shot of mini marshmallows now in the mixing bowl with cherry fluff mixture

4. You’ll want to chill the salad for at least an hour to let the pudding set up and allow the flavors to come together, but you can make it up to a day ahead.

How to Serve This Cherry Fluff Recipe

This recipe is great as a side dish for a potluck all summer long, or serve it as a holiday side dish.

It’s also a great dessert for a buffet, or you can add it to a graham cracker crust to make it into a pie.

Variations

  • Skip the cherry pie filling and use a 32 ounce jar of maraschino cherries that have been drained and chopped.
  • Use pineapple tidbits instead
  • Skip the pineapple and use mandarin oranges
  • Use colorful mini marshmallows!
  • Make cherry fluff with cream cheese by mixing 8 ounces of softened cream cheese with the pudding mix in step 1.
Turquoise mug filled with cherry fluff with a cherry on top and one big spoonful missing

FAQ

Can you make fluff ahead of time?

Yes – it’s actually better the longer it sits. Make it up to 24 hours ahead.

Can you freeze fluff salad?

I don’t recommend freezing this. It won’t thaw well.

Can I make cherry cheesecake fluff?

Use cheesecake pudding mix to make cheesecake fluff!

How do you store cherry fluff?

Store this covered in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.

Other Fluff Recipes

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Turquoise mug filled with cherry fluff with a cherry on top

Cherry Fluff Recipe

5 from 2 votes
This Cherry Fluff dessert salad only takes 5 minutes to make along with chill time in the fridge. It’s so simple to put together, and perfect for when you need a dessert in a hurry.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Chill Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Yield 4 servings
Serving Size 1 serving

Ingredients
 

  • 1 21 ounce can cherry pie filling or use about 2 cups of homemade
  • 1 20 ounce/567g can crushed pineapple
  • 1 3.4 ounce/96g box instant vanilla pudding mix
  • 8 ounces (226g) Cool Whip
  • 2 cups (120g) mini marshmallows

Instructions

  • Slightly drain pineapple (open the can and pour off the excess liquid). Place in a large bowl along with the pie filling.
  • Add the pudding mix and stir to combine.
  • Fold in cool whip until combined.
  • Add marshmallows and stir. Chill 1 hour before eating.
  • Store in refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 2 days.

Recipe Notes

Variations:
  • Add 1 cup (105g) chopped pecans, walnuts or almonds
  • Use cheesecake pudding mix
  • Use any flavor pie filling

Recipe Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 165kcal | Carbohydrates: 35g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 9mg | Sodium: 62mg | Potassium: 63mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 24g | Vitamin A: 100IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 62mg | Iron: 1mg
Nutritional information not guaranteed to be accurate
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Bowl of cherry fluff with a cherry on top and recipe title on image

Cherry Fluff is a perfect no-bake dessert recipe! Pink, sweet and the perfect summer treat.

Dorothy Kern

Welcome to Crazy for Crust, where I share recipes that are sometimes crazy, often with a crust, and always served with a slice of life.

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