Cherries in the Snow
Cherries in the Snow is a vintage no-bake dessert with layers of cubed angel food cake folded into fluffy cream cheese filling, topped with cherry pie filling. It’s sweet, creamy, and looks beautiful on any table. Perfect for potlucks, family dinners, special occasions, or when you want an old-fashioned dessert that tastes like family memories. Chill for 30 minutes, serves 12 people using simple ingredients.
I love a vintage recipe! You know, the ones that you find in an old cookbook or on an index card written by your grandmother. It’s usually covered with stains from cooking. The more stains, the better it is!
Cherries in the Snow is one of these recipes. It’s been around forever! My mom and grandmother both made it. Light angel food cake folded into fluffy cream cheese filling (the “snow”), and topped with sweet-tart cherry pie filling. The whole thing chills in the fridge and you’ve got a beautiful no-bake dessert that feeds a crowd.
I love old-fashioned recipes because making something my family made for generations connects me to all those kitchen memories. Plus this one is so easy! No baking, just mixing and chilling. And it looks pretty enough for special occasions.
Cherries are my absolute favorite flavor, so angel food cake with creamy filling and cherry topping is basically heaven to me. Make this for weeknight dessert and watch your family’s faces light up!
More Vintage No-Bake Desserts
- Ambrosia – Creamy fruit-filled salad
- Chocolate Lasagna – Layers of Oreos and chocolate pudding
- Peanut Butter Fluff – Creamy peanut butter with Reese’s
- Butterscotch No Bake Cookies – Old-fashioned drop cookies
This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you. Read my disclosure policy.
See recipe card for complete information on ingredients and their quantities.
Ingredient Notes
- Angel Food Cake – Grab one from the store for easier prep. You can make homemade or substitute white cake if needed.
- Cream Cheese – Soften to room temperature. Regular, low-fat, or fat-free all work.
- Cool Whip – Use the frozen tub kind, not spray can whipped cream. You can make your own whipped cream too.
- Almond Extract – Tastes amazing with cherries! Substitute vanilla if you don’t have almond.
- Cherry Pie Filling – Canned works perfectly. You can make homemade if you’re feeling ambitious.
For more insider tips, tricks, and a behind the scenes look, follow me on Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram, & X.
How To Make Cherries In The Snow
- Beat softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, and milk in a large bowl until smooth and fluffy. Fold in Cool Whip and almond extract until completely blended.
- Add cubed angel food cake and gently stir to mix. Don’t overmix or you’ll deflate the fluff.
- Spread the mixture into a 9×13 inch pan or baking dish. Pour cherry pie filling over the top and spread into an even layer.
- Chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving.
For the full recipe and detailed instructions, please refer to the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
Storage
Refrigerator: Store covered for up to 3 days. Wrap tightly with plastic wrap if your container doesn’t have a lid.
Make-Ahead: Make up to 3 days ahead and keep refrigerated until ready to serve. Perfect for stress-free entertaining!
Freezer: You can technically freeze it, but I’ve never tried. We always eat it all within a day or two! If you freeze it, let me know how it turns out.
More Cherry Recipes
- Cherry Pie Bars – Portable cherry pie in bar form
- Cherry Turnovers – Flaky puff pastry pockets
- Cherry Garcia Dip – Chocolate cherry sweet dip
- Cherry Limeade Punch – Fizzy citrus party punch
Variations
- Different Fruit: Use blueberry, strawberry, peach, or apple pie filling instead of cherry. You might have to rename it though!
- Trifle Style: Layer in a tall trifle bowl for a pretty centerpiece dessert with multiple layers.
- Individual Parfaits: Serve in individual dishes or bowls for single servings.
- Add Crunch: Toss toasted pecans or sliced almonds on top for texture.
- Cookie Crust: Crush cookies and press into the bottom for a crust layer.
- Lighter Version: Use low-fat or fat-free cream cheese and sugar-free Cool Whip. Try your favorite sugar substitute.
- Dream Whip: Use 2 envelopes Dream Whip topping mix prepared with milk instead of Cool Whip.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! Angel food cake is traditional because it’s light and fluffy, but white cake works too.
You can, but Cool Whip holds up better for several days. Homemade whipped cream can deflate after a day. And don’t use the canned stuff.
Absolutely! Blueberry, strawberry, peach, or apple all work great. Just don’t call it “Cherries in the Snow” anymore!
At least 30 minutes, but a few hours is even better. Overnight works great if making ahead.
Yes! Layer it in a trifle bowl for a beautiful presentation with multiple layers.
Technically you can, but I’ve never tried it. We always eat it within a couple days!
The white cream cheese filling represents “snow” and the cherry topping represents cherries. Vintage recipes had fun names!
Recipe Tips & Tricks
- Soften cream cheese to room temperature before mixing. Cold cream cheese makes lumps.
- Cube angel food cake into bite-sized pieces. They soak up the creamy filling nicely.
- Fold cake gently into the filling. Don’t overmix or you’ll deflate the fluff.
- Chill for at least 30 minutes before serving. The flavors mix together better.
- Make up to 3 days ahead for stress-free entertaining. It holds up perfectly.
- Try different pie fillings to change it up. Blueberry and strawberry are both delicious.
- Serve in a trifle bowl for a stunning centerpiece dessert or make individual parfaits in glass dishes for pretty presentation.
- Add toasted nuts on top right before serving for crunch.
This vintage Cherries in the Snow recipe is a family favorite that’s been around for generations! Make it for your next gathering and start your own tradition.
If you love this recipe as much as I do, please leave us a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ five-star review in the comment section below. Thanks!
Old Fashioned Cherries in the Snow Recipe
Ingredients
- 15 ounces angel food cake prepared, cut into cubes (roughly 1 prepared cake)
- 8 ounces cream cheese softened
- 1 cup powdered sugar sifted
- ¼ cup milk
- 1 teaspoon almond extract
- 16 ounces frozen whipped topping Cool Whip, thawed
- 42 ounces cherry pie filling (2) 21 oz cans
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, and milk.
- Fold in the Cool whip, and almond extract until smooth.
- Add the cubes of cake and gently stir to mix.
- Spread in a 9×13 pan.
- Pour the cherry pie filling over the top and spread into an even layer.
- Chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes or until ready to serve.
Notes
- Soften cream cheese to room temperature before mixing. Cold cream cheese makes lumps.
- Cube angel food cake into bite-sized pieces. They soak up the creamy filling nicely.
- Fold cake gently into the filling. Don’t overmix or you’ll deflate the fluff.
- Chill for at least 30 minutes before serving. The flavors mix together better.
- Make up to 3 days ahead for stress-free entertaining. It holds up perfectly.
- Try different pie fillings to change it up. Blueberry and strawberry are both delicious.
- Serve in a trifle bowl for a stunning centerpiece dessert or make individual parfaits in glass dishes for pretty presentation.
- Add toasted nuts on top right before serving for crunch.
Nutrition
©TakeTwoTapas.com. Content and photographs are copyright protected. Sharing of this recipe is both encouraged and appreciated. Copying and/or pasting full recipes to any social media is strictly prohibited.
