Cherry Fluff Salad

Cherry Fluff Salad is a nostalgic, retro style dessert made with whipped topping, fruit, and pie filling for the perfect sweet and creamy treat. It’s colorful, fun, and always a crowd pleaser at holidays, potlucks, or summer gatherings.

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This post was last updated 9/2025.

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Shopping list:

• Cool Whip
• sweetened condensed milk
• cherry pie filling
• crushed pineapple
• pecans

Today’s recipe for Cherry Fluff Salad is one of those nostalgic dishes that instantly takes me back to my childhood. Growing up in central Minnesota, every holiday, potluck, or family gathering seemed to have some sort of fluff salad on the table, and they were always one of my favorites. Even though I don’t make them often these days, I still love them just as much now as I did back then.

This particular recipe came from an old church cookbook in my collection. The original version didn’t include measurements for the cans of fruit or Cool Whip, so after a quick trip to the grocery store, I was able to figure out the right sizes. The result turned out perfectly fluffy, sweet, and exactly what I remembered.

Fluff salads are endlessly versatile, usually made with whipped topping or whipped cream, combined with pudding, Jell-O, sweetened condensed milk, pie filling, fruit cocktail, or even add-ins like marshmallows, cookies, or candy bars. There are so many delicious variations, and I have several more of them here on the blog if you love these retro desserts as much as I do. They’re perfect for holidays like Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas, but also a hit at summer BBQs, picnics, or just because.

Of course, I had to serve this pretty pink salad in one of my favorite vintage Pyrex bowls, my Pink Gooseberry piece. I have a big collection of vintage Pyrex, and I love using them when photographing recipes for the blog. The color and pattern matched this Cherry Fluff Salad perfectly, making it just as fun to serve as it is to eat.

Do you love cherries and need some more recipes using them? Check out this Cherry Limeade or Rhubarb Cherry Crisp! 

If you're looking for some more great fluff salad recipes, try my Banana Split Fluff or Pineapple Cheesecake Fluff!

Keep scrolling for the full printable recipe 💙

Recipe tips and substitution ideas:

• You can swap the cherry pie filling for raspberry, strawberry, blueberry, peach, or even apple or mixed berry pie filling for a whole new flavor. Add in mandarin oranges, diced strawberries, bananas, grapes, or maraschino cherries for extra fruity sweetness. To give the salad some extra texture, fold in mini marshmallows, coconut, chopped walnuts, almonds, or pistachios. If you prefer, replace the Cool Whip with freshly whipped cream, or stir in a little cream cheese or pudding mix for a thicker, tangier base. Flavored mini marshmallows, sprinkles, or peppermint chips make it festive for holidays, while pastel marshmallows or candy eggs are perfect for Easter.

• Cherry Fluff Salad is best served chilled, and it should always be stored in the refrigerator. Keep it in an airtight container for about 3-4 days, though the texture is at its best within the first 1-2 days.

• If you’d like to make it ahead, you can prepare it the night before and store it covered in the fridge until serving. Just give it a gentle stir before serving. Freezing isn’t recommended, as the whipped topping and fruit don’t thaw well and can separate or become watery.

Our favorite kitchen equipment and supplies used with this recipe:

• Pyrex Colors Tinted Glass Mixing Bowls With Lids
• Silicone Spatula Set
• KitchenAid Classic Multifunction Can Opener 

Yield 12 servings

Author Hot Eats and Cool Reads

Prep time

10 Min

Inactive time

1 Hour

Total time

1 H & 10 M

Cherry Fluff Salad

Cherry Fluff Salad is a classic vintage dessert that’s creamy, fruity, and perfectly sweet. With just a few simple ingredients, it’s easy to make and always a hit at gatherings big or small.

Ingredients

• 1 - 8 ounce container Cool Whip
• 1 - 14 ounce can sweetened condensed milk
• 1 - 21 ounce can cherry pie filling
• 2 - 8 ounce cans crushed pineapple, drained
• 1/2 cup chopped pecans, plus extra for garnish

Instructions

1. In a large bowl, gently fold together the Cool Whip and sweetened condensed milk until combined.
2. Add the cherry pie filling, crushed pineapple, and chopped pecans. Stir until everything is evenly mixed.
3. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to allow the flavors to meld and the salad to chill.
4. Before serving, sprinkle additional chopped pecans on top for garnish.

Nutrition Facts

Calories

232

Fat

9 g

Sat. Fat

4 g

Carbs

35 g

Fiber

1 g

Net carbs

34 g

Sugar

24 g

Protein

3 g

Sodium

34 mg

Cholesterol

8 mg

Hot Eats and Cool Reads is not responsible for the outcome of any recipe you try from this blog/website. You may not always have the same results due to variations in ingredients, humidity, altitude, cooking temperatures, typos, errors, omissions, or individual cooking abilities. 

You are solely responsible for ensuring that any nutritional information provided is accurate, complete, and useful. I am not a certified nutritionist and make no claims to the contrary. Each individual's dietary needs and restrictions are unique to the individual.

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