Cherry Salad
Cherry Salad is a super simple dessert with only six ingredients that you can whip up in a matter of minutes. Perfect for potlucks and parties!
Cherry Salad
I’m a huge fan of these dessert salads. Add a big helping to your dinner plate or save it to enjoy as a dessert. Either way, it’s delicious.
This Cherry Salad tastes like a Cherry Cheesecake. It’s rich, sweet and so satisfying to any sweet tooth. I usually don’t have seconds because it is so filling. Even a little bit in a bowl is enough for me.
This is a vintage type of recipe that I remember my great-grandmother making for family dinners. I think almost every family has one of these dessert salads in their family cookbook.
Cherry Salad Ingredients
The star ingredient is, of course, the cherries. I use a can of cherry pie filling versus fresh cherries here.
Supporting ingredients include walnuts (love their crunch!), pineapple chunks, mini marshmallows and Cool Whip. It also uses a can of sweetened condensed milk.
You can make your own stabilized whipped cream if you can’t find Cool Whip.
If you aren’t a big fan of either the pineapple or walnuts, leave them out. You could also substitute other nuts or fruit in their place if you like.
How to Make Cherry Salad
It couldn’t be any easier! You could also call it Cherry Dump Salad because you literally just dump the ingredients in a bowl and serve.
Grab a large bowl and add the cherry pie filling, sweetened condensed milk, walnuts, pineapple chunks, Cool Whip and mini marshmallows to it. Stir to combine.
Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 2 hours or until ready to serve. Refrigerate any leftovers.
Helpful Kitchen Tools
These kitchen tools will help you make this recipe.
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Where to Serve Cherry Salad
Like I mentioned, Cherry Salad is so versatile. Consider serving it at:
- BBQs
- Potlucks
- Parties
- For dessert
- Family dinners
Dessert Salad Recipes
I have several dessert salad recipes you might also enjoy.
- Creamy Fruit Salad – A dreamy salad/dessert that will be a surefire hit! It’s easy to make and so tasty to eat.
- Orange Creamsicle Salad – Sweet, creamy, fluffy and oh so good! This old-fashioned recipe will be a hit at your family’s dinner table.
- Sunshine Salad – A delicious fruit salad that is only 2 Weight Watcher’s Points Plus per one cup serving.
- Snickers Salad – This easy recipe is made with vanilla pudding, green apples, Cool Whip, caramel and loads of Snickers bars.
You’ll also enjoy this Cherry Mousse, Banana Pudding Fluff, Lemon Blueberry Fluff, Mango Banana Marshmallow Salad, Strawberry Cheesecake Fluff, Berry Cheesecake Fluff, Tropical Fluff Salad, Strawberry Pretzel Salad, Rocky Road Fluff, Strawberry Fluff Salad, Grape Salad and Cherry Pudding Cake.
Try Cherry Cookies.
Cherry Salad
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Ingredients
- 1 can cherry pie filling 21oz/540ml can
- 1 can sweetened condensed milk 14oz/300ml can
- 1 cup walnuts chopped
- 1 can pineapple chunks 20oz/540ml can, drained
- 4 cups Cool Whip thawed
- 2 cups mini marshmallows
Instructions
- Add all ingredients to a large bowl and stir to combine.
- Cover and refrigerate for 2 hours or until ready to serve.
Equipment
Nutrition
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
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Made this with a couple of sight changes and it was fabulous. I used crushed pineapple by mistake so I used the can’s lid as a plunger to drain the liquid. I didn’t use marshmallows but I did remember a similar salad I ate in the 70’s that had coconut in it, so I added one or two hands full of sweetened coconut that I already had on hand.
I used all store brand products and it was still good!
I’m making another batch tonight.
I made this and love it! So did my guests. I am going to make it again, but, found out that a girlfriend is gluten intolerant. Could you tell me if this is gluten-free?
So glad you enjoyed it! I’m not an expert on gluten, but I think these ingredients should be gluten free. There isn’t any wheat in it.
Can you use maraschino cherries?
I haven’t tried it with just maraschino cherries. It should be fine though.
Do you think pecans would work as well as walnuts?
Yes, pecans work well or even sliced almonds!
I have to make this.
I am going to make this for Easter. Sounds yummy and easy.
Could you use crushed pineapple instead of chunks? And if so, what size can? Or how much?
You can but make sure you drain out the juice from the can or it will be too runny. Get the 20oz can.
Could you use blueberry pie filling instead of cherry
Yes, you can and it’s delicious!
What do you suggest to use for dipping
Cookies, crackers????
Cookies, graham crackers, other sweet crackers, fruit, marshmallows, etc
Do you do anything with the condensed milk before mixing in ?
No, just use it right from the can!
Hi Ladies,
One 8 ounce container of cool whip is all that’s needed. I made this from another recipe several years ago. And use a larger bowl than you think you’ll need.
Thanks Stacie for bringing this recipe to mind again. Easy, quick and great for our Xmas family gathering today!
This was really good! I did make one substitution. I don’t like marshmallows, so I used blueberries in their place. Delicious!
I Dont Like CONDENSED MILK.
WHAT ELSE CAN I USE?? Thank You.
I’ve seen Cream of Coconut used as an alternative to sweetened condensed milk. Some also suggest using evaporated milk, but I haven’t tried it so I’m not sure how it would work here.
I’ve used flavored yogurt instead of condensed milk and also less of the cool whip.
Could you please use cups and ounces?
Hi there! I would like to confirm the amount of the cool whip to use in ounces please! Thanks!
I’m not sure what it would be in ounces, but it’s about 4 cups in a measuring cup of the Cool Whip. Our containers are in litres here and I’ve measured it and 1 litre is 4 cups. Hope that helps!
How about bits of apple for crunch? I’m deathly allergic to nuts
Yes, for sure! You could also leave the nuts out and it will still taste good.
I make this only difference is I freeze it ,even eat it frozen , you can keep it for weeks in freezer so good !!!
Do you drain the pineapple?
Yes, drain the pineapple.
Can you make it a day ahead of time.
Yes, you can make ahead.
I’ve made this dish for family gatherings for over 30 years. I also put in about 1/4 cup of coconut flakes. It just wouldn’t be the holidays or a family gathering without it.