Cherries in the snow is a decadent, old fashioned dessert that’s perfect for Summer. This vintage recipe features spongy pieces of angel food cake tossed with sweetened fluffy whipped topping and finished with a luscious layer of cherry pie filling. It’s an absolutely delicious no bake dessert that’s ideal for easy entertaining, while delivering maximum flavor!

Some things may change, coming and going as the years go by, but one thing that always sticks around is a timeless dessert recipe like cherries in the snow.

This no bake layered dessert features chunks of soft spongy angel food cake topped with a rich, fluffy cream cheese mixture, and is finished off with a luscious cherry pie filling topping.

It’s perfect for serving on Summer holidays, and easy enough for potlucks and backyard barbecues alike.

This easy dessert recipe has stood the test of time, and is just as popular now as it was decades ago. Give it a try and discover what makes this vintage no bake dish so special for yourself!

Ingredients Needed

Like all of my favorite desserts, this old fashioned treat only requires a handful of straightforward ingredients to come together.

To make it you’ll need:

Angel Food Cake – A 14 ounce store bought angel food cake, cut into 1″ chunks. Alternatively, you can bake your own angel food cake from a boxed mix, although then it wouldn’t technically be a ‘no bake’ dessert anymore. If baking your own cake, be sure to let it cool completely before using as instructed.
Cream Cheese – 2 8 ounce blocks of cream cheese, softened to room temperature.
Sugar – Powdered sugar, also called confectioner’s sugar. Do not try to substitute white granulated sugar, which will lead to a grainy texture.
Extract – Vanilla extract, either real or the imitation variety will work here. Almond extract can also be used as a substitute, if needed.
Cool Whip – Store bought or homemade
Pie Filling – Cherry pie filling, store bought or homemade

Once you’ve gathered all the ingredients, you’re ready to whip up a batch!

How To Make

This luscious layered dessert makes a stunning presentation, but is surprisingly simple to throw together- even at the last minute.

Start by slicing the angel food cake into 1 inch cubes. Spread the cake cubes out in an even layer in the bottom of a 9×13 inch baking dish. Set aside.

Add the softened cream cheese to a large mixing bowl. Using a hand mixer beat well, until it’s smooth and creamy.

Add the powered sugar and extract to the bowl, and beat for another minute- just until they’re evenly incorporated. Fold the thawed cool whip into the cream cheese mixture, using a spatula, until evenly combined.

Pour the cream cheese mixture into the baking dish overtop of the angel food cake cubes, scraping the bowl as needed to get it all out. Mix this together with the cake, then spread everything out in an even layer in the dish.

Spoon the cherry pie filling overtop in an even layer.

Cover the dish tightly with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for 4 hours to chill.

Serve and enjoy!

Storing

Leftovers can be stored in the pan, wrapped in plastic wrap, and refrigerated for up to 2 days.

Unfortunately I do not recommend storing for a longer period as the cake starts to become soggy.

Tips & Tricks

As written the recipe calls for using a store bought angel food cake; however, you can bake your own angel food cake from a boxed mix if you prefer. Although then it wouldn’t technically be a ‘no bake’ dessert anymore. If baking your own cake, be sure to let it cool completely before using as instructed.
Be sure to allow the cream cheese to soften to room temperature before using. This step is important so that it blends easily to form the decadent creamy filling.
Use your favorite brand of cherry pie filling in this recipe. If you prefer making things from scratch, use our easy pressure cooker cherry pie filling recipe!

Other Easy No Bake Desserts

Cherries in the snow may be old fashioned, but it’s also iconic for a reason, and the classic flavor combination just says ‘Summer’.

It’s easy enough to whip up at the last minute, but with big layers of flavor designed to impress every guest you share it with!

Looking for other easy no bake dessert recipes for Summer?

Try these:

If you’ve tried this CHERRIES IN THE SNOW, or any other recipe on the site, let me know in the comment section how it turned out, we love hearing from our readers! You can also follow along with me on PINTEREST, FACEBOOK, and INSTAGRAM to see more amazing recipes and whatever else we’ve got going on!

old fashioned cherries in the snow dessert in two shallow white bowls

Cherries In The Snow (Vintage Recipe)

Cherries in the snow is a decadent, old fashioned dessert that's perfect for Summer. This vintage recipe features spongy pieces of angel food cake tossed with sweetened fluffy whipped topping and finished with a luscious layer of cherry pie filling. It's an absolutely delicious no bake dessert that's ideal for easy entertaining, while delivering maximum flavor!

No ratings yet

Print Pin Rate

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American, Southern

Prep Time: 10

Chill Time: 4

Total Time: 4 10

Servings:

Calories: 455kcal

Author: Meaghan - The Quicker Kitchen

Ingredients

14 oz pre-baked store bought angel food cake cut into 1-inch cubes
2 8 oz blocks cream cheese softened
1 cup powdered sugar
½ teaspoon vanilla extract
1 16 oz tub whipped topping thawed
2 21 oz cans cherry pie filling

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

Cut the angel food cake into 1-inch cubes and spread in an even layer in a 9x13 baking pan.
14 oz pre-baked store bought angel food cake
In a large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until smooth and fluffy. Add the powdered sugar and vanilla extract and beat for 1 more minute until incorporated.
2 8 oz blocks cream cheese, 1 cup powdered sugar, ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Fold in the thawed whipped topping until well combined.
1 16 oz tub whipped topping
Pour mixture into the baking pan over the angel food cake, gently mix together, then spread out into an even layer.
Top with cherry pie filling.
2 21 oz cans cherry pie filling
Cover and refrigerate for 4 hours, or overnight, before serving.

Notes

As written the recipe calls for using a store bought angel food cake; however, you can bake your own angel food cake from a boxed mix if you prefer. Although then it wouldn't technically be a 'no bake' dessert anymore. If baking your own cake, be sure to let it cool completely before using as instructed.
Be sure to allow the cream cheese to soften to room temperature before using. This step is important so that it blends easily to form the decadent creamy filling.
Use your favorite brand of cherry pie filling in this recipe. If you prefer making things from scratch, use our easy pressure cooker cherry pie filling recipe!