Cherry Fluff

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This retro gelatin salad is always welcome on our table.

Cherry Fluff
Photo:

Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Active Time:
15 mins
Total Time:
45 mins
Servings:
10 to 14

Cherry fluff is a standard side dish or dessert at social gatherings across the South, from picnics and buffets, to potlucks and church homecomings. But the holidays may be where fluffs like this cherry version or our classic Cranberry Fluff really shine. In fact, we'd say many folks would consider Thanksgiving or Christmas incomplete without a spoonful of fluff on their plate.

You'll find many versions of cherry fluff online and in cookbooks, but we wanted to make one that emphasizes the cherry flavor without any other fruit or nut additions. You could easily add to this recipe with walnuts or pecans, pineapple or other berries, but keeping it simple was our main goal.

This Cherry Fluff is a light, creamy, and airy dessert with a sweet cherry flavor and a rich, slightly tangy hint from the cream cheese. The chew of the marshmallows and cherries is a pleasant addition to the ultra-creamy whipped topping and cream cheese.

Ingredients

  • 1 (8 oz.) package cream cheese, room temperature

  • 1 (3 oz.) box cherry gelatin (such as Jell-O)

  • 1 (21 oz.) can cherry pie filling

  • 1 (8 oz.) container frozen whipped topping, thawed

  • 1 (10 oz.) bag mini marshmallows

Directions

  1. In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese with a hand mixer until smooth and completely softened. Add gelatin to cream cheese, and mix until well combined.

    Tip: Because the gelatin is powdered, it helps to add this in stages so the powder blends easily. It can also prevent a cloud of gelatin billowing up from the bowl. Pour about a 1/3 of the package into the bowl, mix thoroughly, then add another third, and so on until the entire package is mixed in.

  2. Fold in the cherry pie filling until thoroughly blended, then fold in the whipped topping.

    Tip: Like the previous step, folding in the whipped stopping in stages helps to blend ingredients easily and quickly. This will also help keep your cherry fluff as fluffy as possible. Fold in about 1/3 of the whipped topping until well combined, then add another third and so on until the topping and cherry mixture are blended.

  3. Fold in mini marshmallows until evenly distributed in the cherry fluff. Refrigerate for at least a half hour before serving.

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