It doesn’t get an easier than this four ingredient Cherry Dump Salad! Made with pineapple and cherry filling, this is a chilled side dish that everyone loves. Cold, sweet, and perfect for summer!
This recipe was originally published in July 2014. I have updated the recipe notes and photos in August 2025.
Aimee’s Recipe Notes
My grandma always served dessert “salads.” One of my favorite is this easy Pistachio Fluff Salad. Today’s recipe is a version of that easy side dish.
Taste & Texture: Creamy Cool Whip base with cherries and pineapple. Light and fluffy texture.
Ease: Only 4 ingredients, lots of options to customize the flavor!
Storage: Keep this salad in the refrigerator for up to 5 days for best flavor and texture. Can be made the night before.
Freeze: For a delicious twist, pour dump salad in a 13×9 dish. Freeze for 24 hours. Cut into bars and serve frozen, so delicious.
Cherries in Snow: You may remember this treat from the 80’s. Just add pecans and coconuts!
I add slices banana’s as well. I have been making this for several years and it’s always a huge hit at church and family gatherings.
– Donna
Only Four Ingredients
Here’s everything you need for this recipe. Scroll down to the recipe card for the measurements.
- Crushed pineapple. Don’t drain the juice! If you prefer large chunks, you can use pineapple tidbits or pineapple chunks.
- Cherry pie filling. Use canned pie filling or swap it for an equal amount of homemade cherry pie filling.
- Cool whip. Thaw the whole container in the fridge first. You can also make my homemade Cool Whip (which is a stabilized whipped cream).
- Sweetened condensed milk– adds a creamy sweet texture to the dump salad.
Just toss everything in a bowl, mix and chill!
Cherry Fluff Salad Tips and Tricks
- Flavor variations. You can make this dump salad with other pie fillings like blueberry or strawberry too.
- Mix ins. Add a cup of chopped pecans or mini marshmallows to your dump salad to change up the flavors!
- Make ahead. I like to assemble the cherry dump salad the night before. By the next morning it’s set, chilled and ready to eat.
- Storing. You can store the prepared salad covered in the fridge for several days. Keep it nice and cold until serving.
More Easy Desserts Recipes
- Peach Dump Cake is refreshing and incredible! Add some creamy, homemade Whipped Cream on top!
- These ooey gooey Rice Krispie Treats are the perfect chewy treat for everyone!
- Make a sweet Strawberry Struedel that will brighten up everyone’s morning!
- Try out these delicious Peach Pie Bars that everyone will love! These Strawberry Pie bars are just as perfect!
- Who else LOVES cold side dishes? You’ll flip for this Frozen Cranberry Salad and this Seven Layer Salad too.
How to Make Cherry Dump Salad
Pin this now to find it later
Pin It
Cherry Dump Salad Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 can Cherry Pie filling 21 ounce
- 1 can crushed pineapple (don't drain the juice) 15 ounce
- 1 can sweetened condensed milk 14 ounce
- 12 ounce Cool Whip thawed
Instructions
- Dump all ingredients into a large bowl.
- Combine with a wooden spoon until ingredients are evenly blended.
- Cover and refrigerate 2 hours or more. Serve and enjoy.
Notes
- Flavor variations. You can make this dump salad with other pie fillings like blueberry or strawberry too.
- Mix ins. Add a cup of chopped pecans or mini marshmallows to your dump salad to change up the flavors!
- Make ahead. I like to assemble the cherry dump salad the night before. By the next morning it’s set, chilled and ready to eat.
- Storing. You can store the prepared salad covered in the fridge for several days. Keep it nice and cold until serving.
Nutrition
Easy Side Dish Recipes
Four ingredients and one bowl are all you need to make an amazing sweet side dish. Anyone can make this Cherry Dump Cake–just be prepared for all your friends and family to swarm you for the recipe!
I add slices banana’s as well. I have been making this for several years and it’s always a huge hit at church and family gatherings.
Love your recipes.
Love to hear it!
Can you make this and freeze in cupcake tins?
Sure!
Love the old time favorit
My boss made this at one of my staff luncheon. It was delicious, I was embarrassed to ask a male for the recipe. Thank you.
Can I substitute blueberry pie filling instead of cherry pie filling in the cherry dump salad
Yes absolutely!
Can you leave out the condensed milk?
you had me again at jello…. and people that poo-poo these types of “salads” are the first one’s to try them! there’s never a spoon full left at the end of a potluck. Thank you!
So very true 🙂
This is a very old recipe. I remember my mom making this when I was a kid! I’m 49 now! Always a huge favorite!
I added fresh blueberries and they gave it a great pop of flavor
I have made this for years, but I had mini marshmellows and one cup chopped walnuts. This past year I used Blueberry pie filling and it was delicous.
I’m dying to try some of these suggestions. Especially blueberry. YUM!
I like all the extras, but, what I really like is the taste of the cherries with the sweetened condensed milk. For me, it is just divine. And thank you for the recipe that I was then able to pin and have handy! I rarely use cookbooks anymore!
I thought I’d make my repeat pistachio salad. Then I saw your cherry dump salad recipe. So easy…yummmm ty
A version of this recipe was popular in the 80’s. It was called Cherries In Snow and also had coconut and chopped pecans. It is a very flavorful salad.
Ooh, love the idea of adding coconut. I bet that would taste so good, with pecans too! Thanks Elaine 🙂
I make a similar salad, but i add a can of mandarin oranges, drained and I drain my pineapple as well. I also put all the cans in the refrigerator before I make it so everything is already chilled. That has been a lifesaver especially when I am short on time!
Can you substitute something else for the pineapples? My family doesn’t like pineapples.:(
Thanks
Have a family BBQ next weekend – think I may whip this up – if it doesn’t get all eaten up I am going to so enjoy it for myself – mmm I may try it this weekend lol – to test it out that is – hehehehehe
We have one with crushed pinapple, lime jello, cool whip and cottage cheese. This sounds just as good!
Our family always makes this for holidays, but our recipe adds 1 cup of miniature marshmallows and 1 cup chopped pecans. Always a family favorite, even if it is more dessert than salad.
Hi love these recipe ideas but as I’m from Uk can someone tell me what cool whip is??? is it cream???
Cool whip is like whipped cream, but a bit different. It’s got an airy consistency, but it’s cold. It’s found in plastic tubs in the freezer section.
you can make whip cream using heavy cream. chill your mixing bowl. Add one cup heavy cream and 2-3 tbs. sugar. You can also add a little vanilla if you like. Maybe about 1/4 tsp.
Imitation whipped cream. You could use real cream.
You could.
We have made this for years but we also add chopped walnuts.