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
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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 also add a tsp of almond extract. to mine.
Oh what a delicious idea!!!
I love this stuff! I found out about it once I moved to Wyoming..now, every potluck I go to, this always ends up taking over my plate! I’ve never gotten the recipe, until now! Thank you!
Please feel free to take a look at my food blog as well! It’s a work in process but I mostly focus on baked goods. My latest post – Peanut Butter Brownies.
This was such a delightfullly, lovely surprise dessert, that I’lll be making for the family as a light Christmas dessert. Love these quick, simple but delicious recipes.
Gail MacDonald
So glad to hear it 🙂
Hi I’m Kay. What can I substitute for cherry pie filling as I am in Australia?
You can use a homemade Cherry Pie Filling recipe. Otherwise I’m not sure, they don’t sell pie filling in cans in Australia?
Jell-o salads always remind me of my grandmother – this one looks sounds just delicious. And I agree, blueberry pie filling sounds amazing!
Wow this is awesome! My favorite thing about summer is the cherries ^.^
I make a very similar version with pistachio Jell-o mix, canned fruit and whipped cream — and I always have an empty bowl at the end of every gathering! It looks a little weird, but tastes delicious. Will definitely have to give this one a try next time!
Yes, we have a favorite Pistachio version as well, guess I need to share that one soon!! Definitely you should try this cherry version!
Looks great!
wow another awesome idea.. i can just imagine how good + sweet this would taste. i LOVE cherry pie filling! looks delicious!
My Mom has been making this salad since I was a child and I love it! The only differences are she drains her pineapple, adds half a bag of mini marshmallows, freezes it and then just sets it out to thaw a bit before serving! It’s so yummy and perfect on a hot summer day! 🙂
Love these changes…especially freezing it 🙂
Oh my … my mom makes something similar every year for Thanksgiving, and I only allow myself to have it then as it’s a complete indulgence for me … but I may have to throw caution to the wind and make this for my next potluck as it sounds divine!
Love how quick and easy this is!
I grew up on a similar salad and haven’t thought about it in a very long time. Cherry pie filling was always my favorite, so this flavor sounds incredible with the pineapple! This is one salad the kids would flip over. 🙂
Glad I could bring back the old times for ya Marcie 🙂
What a fun and easy “salad”!!! I have had one similar but without the sweetened condensed milk. Gotta love a salad you can “dump” together in minutes 🙂
Please share that on your blog, Jocelyn!!
Can I just say that I love that this is called a salad? I’m making all my salads with condensed milk from now on!
This looks delicious, Aimee! And quick, too!
Haha, yeah, can’t take the credit for calling this a salad, but I’m kinda thrilled it is. I mean, who doesn’t want a sweet salad??
Can you believe I’ve neever even heard of this?!?! I can’t wait to try it out STAT! Pinned 🙂
Thanks for the pin, and yes, you need to try it out. Given your love of Cool Whip and all 🙂
Love cherries, love simple recipes like this 🙂 Win/Win
Aimee, there’s something so fun about sharing family recipes! And as a reader I like to know if certain recipes are family recipes because you know those will be good since they are loved by many!
So glad to hear this because there are many more to come 🙂
What a pretty and fun salad for a party!
What an interesting salad! Better than the vegetable kind almost 🙂
Yeah, maybe salad isn’t the right name…. hehe
I have to be honest I am terrified of pot luck dinners. I mean do people have the same standards as I do? But I still have to bring something and you did give me a perfect salad idea. It’s easy and good. Thanks.
Haha, I totally hear ya on the potluck. That’s why I try to always bring something I know my family loves!
That’s when you’re glad you’re in a church of amazing cooks. 🙂 potlucks are awesome then.