Easy Cherry Fluff Recipe (Big Batch)
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our Disclosure Policy.
Cherry Fluff is an easy 5-ingredient salad recipe that combines sweet cherries with pineapple, a bunch of mini marshmallows, and fluffy whipped cream.
This delicious recipe was updated on 4/18/19 to improve reader experience.
Cherry Fluff is a family favorite. It’s a quick cherry fluff recipe that takes 5 minutes and only 5 ingredients! It’s simple enough to make ahead and perfect for any occasion.
I’ll be throwing in some tips to make this creamy dreamy pink fluff your own. Everyone loves this Cherry Fluff salad with its pretty pink color and best of all you can make a big batch or just enough for a small crowd.
It’s the perfect make-ahead recipe too! You don’t need to fess up and tell them how easy it is to make!
I’ve been making fluff recipes for as long as I can remember. My children loved Cherry Fluff when they were young and they were always excited when there was a big dish of it on our dinner table.
It’s also a dish that was easy for them to help make. I remember little faces coated with pink whipped cream. Some of it actually made it to the bowl.
Now we have a new helper that loves to help make our Fluff Recipes. If we didn’t have one when she joins us for dinner she’d be very disappointed.
When she helps, however, we’re lucky to get any of the marshmallows or cherries into the bowl!
This Fluff recipe is stuffed with enough cherries that everyone is guaranteed to get a bowl full unlike some of those dishes where you have to search for that elusive cherry.
There are only 5 ingredients in this Cherry Fluff Recipe!
- Instant pudding – Powder only. Don’t make the pudding.
- Whipped topping – We purchase whipped topping because it has stabilizers that keep this fluff from breaking down.
- Cherry pie filling – We get the “More Fruit” brands.
- Crushed pineapple – Juice and all which helps the instant pudding blend.
- Miniature marshmallows – Who doesn’t want marshmallows?
Who doesn’t like a recipe that makes a great salad but is as sweet and creamy as a dessert? Even though this Cherry Fluff salad recipe version is our family favorite here are a few variations that you can do to make it your family’s favorite.
Variations you can make to this Creamy Dreamy Cherry Fluff salad:
- Chopped nuts of any variety
- Shredded coconut
- Fresh or frozen fruit such as grapes or strawberries (note, fresh fruit will shorten the time that your fluff lasts because they break down. Especially if you use fresh raspberries which we don’t recommend.
- Replace the pineapple with mandarin oranges.
- Change the pudding flavor such as strawberry or cheesecake. You can also use a sugar-free variety.
- Rainbow mini marshmallows or skip the marshmallows if that’s not your thing. (Party pooper)
- Fat-free whipped topping
The great thing about this dish is that it looks beautiful in a crystal dish for the holidays or in a non-breakable container for your packed lunch or a picnic.
Want to save this recipe?
We'll email this post to you, so you can come back to it later!
I'd like to receive more tips and recipes from Hostess At Heart!
This Pink Fluff recipe is perfect for Christmas or Valentine’s Day. It’s great made ahead of time and is a great make-and-take dish too.
Even though you can freeze the ingredients individually, I’ve never tried freezing cherry fluff. I don’t know why you couldn’t. Cherry Fluff Salad lasts for up to 4 days in the refrigerator so I’ve never tried it.
Here are a few TIPS to make sure your Cherry Fluff comes out perfectly!
- Stir the vanilla pudding in with the undrained can of pineapple first. The pineapple juice will start thickening the pudding.
- Stir in the cherry pie filling only until it’s combined. There’s no need to whip it or beat it.
- Fold whipped topping into the cherry mixture gently. If you use a heavy hand, it will break your pink fluff down.
- Fold in the marshmallows. As many as you want! It’s your Cherry fluff party!
- Be selective if you use fresh fruit. Don’t use fruit that contains a lot of liquid. It will break down the whipped topping. Fresh fruit will shorten the shelf life of this fluff recipe too.
- This recipe can be eaten right away but is best chilled and can be made a day in advance.
If you like this Cherry Fluff recipe I think you’ll like these too!
- Fruit Cocktail Salad
- Snicker Apple Salad
- Angel Food Pie
- No-Bake Cherry Dessert
- 6 Ingredient Blueberry Lemonade Cream Pie
- Fruit Cocktail Trifle
- Strawberry Cheesecake Salad
Products that we used to make Cherry Fluff Recipe
- Trifle Bowl – Just because this is an easy salad doesn’t mean you can’t dress it up by putting it in a trifle bowl to show off all of its loveliness!
- Spatulas – this pretty set has a flat side and a curved side to take on your toughest job. I love that they are all one piece and can withstand 500°F! Throw out those old chipped ones and treat yourself!
We love all of the sweet cherries in this recipe. Our Cherry Bread and Cherry Torte recipes are all about the cherries too!
If you like this recipe, we would appreciate your comment and a 5-star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ review!
Big Batch Pineapple Cherry Fluff Recipe
Ingredients
- 5.1 oz instant vanilla pudding large box
- 20 oz crushed pineapple in juice, don’t drain
- 42 oz cherry pie filling (2 cans)
- 16 oz whipped topping
- 2 cups miniature marshmallows
Instructions
- Stir the vanilla pudding, pineapple and cherry pie filling together. Fold in the whipped topping and then the miniature marshmallows.
- Refrigerate in an air-tight container for up to one week.
Notes
- Stir the vanilla pudding in with the pineapple and cherry pie filling first. This will start the thickening process.
- Fold whipped topping and then the miniature marshmallows. Over-stirring will break the fluff down.
- Be selective if you use fresh fruit. Don’t use fruit that contains a lot of liquid. It will break down the whipped topping.
- This recipe can be eaten right away but is best chilled and can be made a day in advance.
Nutrition
Nutritional Disclaimer
This recipe was calculated using the exact brands and measurements I used to make this recipe. If you are following a strict diet please note changing anything will cause the nutritional info to change. My calculations are intended as a guide only.
PIN THIS Easy Cherry Pineapple Fluff Recipe
So, so good! I have tried a number of fluff recipes but this one might be my new favorite. Love the cherries!
I’m so glad this worked for you. It’s an easy salad that we make a lot.
@Julie Menghini, I’ve never put pineapple in mine. I use white chocolate pudding mix, 1 can of sweet condensed milk, 1 large tub of cool whip, 2 cans of real cherries (not the pie filling stuff), and 4oz of soft cream cheese.
That sounds amazing Annie! The juice from the pineapple thickens the pudding mix in this one but your version sounds decadently delicious!
Can you substitute something for pineapple in cherry fluff. Allergic to pineapple
You can use any canned fruit. The juice mixed with the instant pudding acts as a thickener. I find that the amount of pineapple in this recipe isn’t really noticeable so I don’t believe that the substitution that you choose would be an issue. Thanks for such an excellent question, Barbara/
Yummy and so easy!!! Thanks for sharing.
Thank you, Pamela! It’s always a hit at my table too.
Just wondering, has this been tried with cranberries, not the Gel version, but the one with the berries? Might be great on Thanksgiving table.
I haven’t tried it Leigh but I have made a lot of versions with it. Whole cranberries might be a bit much but chopped could make a beautiful salad, especially with the addition of pecans or walnuts. Such inspiration! Thank you!
DON’T use the pudding mix to make pudding just use the mix , I tried it by making the pudding and it wasn’t that good.
You’re right, Kenzie! I’ll make sure that’s clear in the recipe too. Thank you.
Family favorite:
SPINACH CASSEROLE
3 packs frozen spinach (cooked and squeezed dry
1 can sliced water chestnuts (drain water)
1 large can artichoke hearts quartered
1/2 stick of butter or margarine
1 8 oz. pack of cream cheese, room temperature
Mix cooked spinach with butter and cream cheese. Stir in water chestnuts and artichoke hearts. Put mixture in a casserole dish. Bake at 350• for 30 minutes or until warmed through. Let cool 5 minutes. Serve with crackers or other dippers.
That sounds amazing Kathleen! Thank you!
My mom passed away suddenly last year and took her recipes with her. I am so happy to have found this and be able to carry on the tradition for my kids! Thank you, thank you! Happy Thanksgiving!
Thank you, Genifer! I’m so sorry for your loss, and I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving too!
This recipe sounds delicious! Do you make the pudding according to directions on box and then mix with the fruit, or just mix the powder with the fruit? Thank you in advance!
I just put the mix in with the other ingredients. I don’t make the pudding. It’s super good! Thank you for stopping by!
I have the same question. The recipe calls for pudding. It doesn’t say pudding mix. But, it also says 5 ingredients and those ingredients don’t call for milk to make the pudding! So confusing.
You don’t make the pudding, Mary. Just use the pudding powder. Thank you for your comment, I’ll clarify our recipe. Let me know if you have any other questions.
Made this last night and it was a huge hit! My husband and I loved it! He couldn’t stop telling me how good it was! So happy we have leftovers since it’s just the two of us. Means I’ll get to enjoy it again today!
Thank you Dana for letting me know! I made this a lot when my kids were home and it was always a treat!
This takes me back to days of yore in Nebraska growing up…. Everyone made fluffs… this one sounds so yummy and festive!
See we aren’t all that backwards right? We know our fluff! Thank you Michele!
I am so much a fluff-lover! I could eat an entire mixing bowl of this.
Thank you, Jeff! Happy Holidays!
I just know that I am going to LOVE this! Definitely making for Christmas!
Thank you, Madi! Happy Holidays!
Oh my goodness. First off, this is just so darn pretty!! IT’s perfect for anytime, but the holidays even more so. I am pinning this one to try ASAP!
This stuff looks so tasty! I love the combo of cherries and pineapple and would never have thought to use cherry pie filling like this!
My mother in law used to make a similar salad and it was the first to go! This will be a great addition to our Christmas dinner. So pretty (and tasty) with the cherries!
Thank you, Sandra! We grew up with the green one and it was yummy. My hubby likes this one better.
My kiddos are going to LOVE this!!! It seriously has all of their favorite things!!
Thank you! I love how easy it is too!
This is fun. I love the pretty pink color. It’ll look so perky on my table!
Thank you! It’s an easy favorite on our table too!
My mom use to make something like this but I don’t seem to have it on my blog. Now I have a recipe to use 🙂 We use to gobble this up as kids!
Thank you, Judi! I know my mom made the pistachio version and don’t remember where this one came about but we’ve been loving it for years.
I had a Hawaiian fluff with pineapple and banana, but I like the cherry idea. Going to try this out for Christmas and will let you know how it turns out. tysm
Thank you, Cindy! I hope you love it and let me know how it goes!
I love fluffs! I usually make a lime version with cherries, but I love this pink version. It sounds like just what the family would gobble down at Christmas dinner.
Thank you so much, Linda! I bet the lime version would be amazing too!
I don’t believe I’ve ever made a fluff Julie, shame on me right? But I’m loving what I read in the ingredients, so move over boring salads, I’m here to make the pineapple and cherry fluff 🙂 Truly I could eat it as dessert actually.
Thank you, Loretta! It is pretty dessert like and so easy to make.