There's just something magical about the combination of airy angel food cake and luscious cherries that makes this Cherry Angel Food Cake Dessert Recipe an all-time favorite. It’s light, refreshing, and irresistibly sweet—a perfect way to impress guests without spending hours in the kitchen.

A close-up view of a white dish filled with a layered dessert, showing a woman's hand holding a spoon lifting a portion. The dessert has three visible layers: a bottom layer of light yellow cake-like texture, a thick middle layer of creamy white filling, and a top layer of bright red cherry pieces in gel. The dessert looks soft and moist, with the red cherry topping glossy and uneven. The background features a blurred white flower pot, and the dish is placed on a white marbled surface with a red and white striped cloth nearby. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Cherry Angel Food Cake Dessert Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Cherry Angel Food Cake Dessert Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Cherry Angel Food Cake Dessert Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I love this Cherry Angel Food Cake Dessert Recipe because it’s a nostalgic treat that’s incredibly easy to make but tastes like you spent all day baking. The layers of creamy, fluffy goodness paired with bright cherry topping bring this dessert to life in every bite.

Simple assembly: No baking is required if you buy angel food cake ready-made, making this perfect for any skill level.
Light yet indulgent: The airy cake and whipped topping keep this dessert feeling fresh, even after a big meal.
Impressive presentation: Those vibrant cherry layers add a pop of color that always wows guests.
Flexible and forgiving: You can customize the cherry layer or cream mixture easily to suit your snack time cravings or seasonal fruits.

A rectangular white ceramic dish filled with one layer of bright red cherry topping, covering small whole cherries in a shiny, thick red jelly-like sauce. The surface of the topping is smooth with some cherries slightly raised, creating small bumps and a rich glossy texture. The dish is placed on a white marbled surface, with a red and white striped cloth partially visible on the left side. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Every ingredient in this Cherry Angel Food Cake Dessert Recipe plays a key role. The angel food cake provides that signature lightness, while the cream cheese mixture adds richness and tang. The cherry pie filling ties everything together with sweet, fruity brightness.

Flat lay of a torn into bite-size pieces angel food cake, a block of softened cream cheese, a small white bowl of confectioner’s sugar, a small white bowl of whole milk, a small white bowl of vanilla extract, a small white bowl of thawed whipped topping, a small white bowl of glossy red cherry pie filling, all arranged symmetrically on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Angel Food Cake: Its airy texture soaks up the cream mixture without becoming heavy or soggy too fast.
Cream Cheese: Adds a velvety, slight tang that balances the sweetness perfectly.
Confectioner’s Sugar: Dissolves easily ensuring the cream layer stays silky smooth.
Whole Milk: Helps create a creamy but light consistency when mixed with cream cheese.
Vanilla Extract: Elevates the flavor profile with warm aromatic notes.
Frozen Whipped Topping: Offers fluffiness and volume with minimal effort, keeping the dessert airy.
Cherry Pie Filling: Provides that iconic cherry dessert sweetness with plenty of juicy fruit pieces.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

This dessert is a perfect canvas for your own creativity! I often like to add a twist by mixing in fresh cherries when they’re in season or folding some almond extract into the cream layer for an extra nutty aroma.

Variation: I once swapped the cherry pie filling for blueberry, and my guests still rave about it—so easy to adapt to other fruits you love.
Dairy-free option: Use a vegan cream cheese and a non-dairy whipped topping to make the dessert allergy-friendly without losing that creamy texture.
Quick serving trick: Sometimes I stir the angel food cake directly into the cream mixture if I’m in a rush, though this does sacrifice some of the cake’s airiness.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Cherry Angel Food Cake Dessert Recipe

Step 1: Piece Together the Angel Food Cake

I like to tear the angel food cake into bite-size chunks instead of slicing them. This helps them fit more naturally into the dish and soak up just the right amount of cream without falling apart completely. Spread the pieces evenly in a 9x13 baking dish—this forms the sturdy base of your dessert.

Step 2: Whip up the Dreamy Cream Layer

In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese with confectioner’s sugar until the texture is silky and lump-free. A key tip here is making sure your cream cheese is fully softened—that’s made all the difference for me. Then, add the milk and vanilla, blending until smooth. Finally, gently fold in the thawed whipped topping to keep it airy and spreadable. Avoid overmixing to preserve that light texture.

Step 3: Assemble the Layers with Care

Spread the cream cheese mixture carefully over the angel food cake chunks, ensuring every piece gets coated. Then, spoon the cherry pie filling on top, spreading it gently so the layers stay distinct. This layering keeps the angel food cake from turning soggy too quickly while allowing the flavors to meld beautifully during chilling.

Step 4: Chill and Let It Set

Cover your dish tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least two hours—or ideally overnight. This step lets the dessert firm up and the flavors to marry. The first time I skipped this and served right away, the cake was a bit dry. Patience really pays off here!

Top Tip

From my experience, the little details make this Cherry Angel Food Cake Dessert Recipe truly stand out. These tips come from a few batches of trial and error but they’ll save you frustration and boost your dessert’s wow factor.

Softening Cream Cheese: Always leave your cream cheese out for at least 30 minutes beforehand or soften gently in the microwave—cold lumps make mixing harder.
Folding Technique: When adding whipped topping, use a gentle folding motion instead of stirring to keep that fluffy texture intact.
Layering Order: Keep the angel food cake on the bottom and the cherry topping on the top for best texture contrast and visual appeal.
Chilling Time: Resist the urge to dig in immediately—chilling allows the flavors to blend and the cake to absorb just enough moisture without sogginess.

How to Serve Cherry Angel Food Cake Dessert Recipe

cherry angel food cake - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I love topping individual servings with a fresh cherry or two and a small mint leaf. Sometimes, a light dusting of powdered sugar gives it a beautiful finishing touch. These simple garnishes add freshness and brighten the plate, making the dessert feel even more special.

Side Dishes

This Cherry Angel Food Cake Dessert pairs wonderfully with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or alongside a cup of hot coffee or tea. I often serve it after a lighter meal like grilled chicken or salad to keep everything balanced.

Creative Ways to Present

For parties, I’ve popped the dessert into clear glass trifle bowls, layering the cake, cream, and cherry filling repeatedly for a stunning visual effect. Mini individual parfait glasses also make adorable single-serve options that look restaurant-worthy.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

After serving, I cover leftovers tightly with plastic wrap and keep them in the fridge. The dessert holds beautifully for up to 3 days, though the texture of the angel food cake softens a bit more over time.

Freezing

I’ve found freezing this dessert isn’t ideal because the cream layer and cherry topping can separate when thawed, and the cake loses its airy texture. I recommend enjoying it fresh or refrigerated instead.

Reheating

This dessert is best served cold, so reheating isn’t necessary. Just let refrigerated leftovers rest at room temperature for about 10 minutes before serving for the flavors to mellow nicely.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I make this Cherry Angel Food Cake Dessert Recipe ahead of time?

Absolutely! In fact, chilling it overnight enhances the flavor and texture. Just cover tightly and refrigerate until ready to serve.

What can I use if I don’t have cherry pie filling?

You can substitute with fresh cherries tossed in a bit of sugar and cornstarch or use canned cherry pie filling alternatives like blueberry or mixed berry to switch up the flavor.

Can I make the cream layer ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the cream layer a few hours in advance and keep it covered in the fridge. Just gently stir it before assembling the dessert to restore its fluffiness.

Is store-bought angel food cake okay to use?

Definitely! Store-bought angel food cake works perfectly and saves time, which is exactly why I often use it. Just opt for a fresh one and ensure it’s not stale for best results.

Final Thoughts

This Cherry Angel Food Cake Dessert Recipe has become my go-to when I want a no-fuss, crowd-pleasing dessert that feels homemade and special. I hope you enjoy making it as much as I do—it’s one of those sweet little moments you’ll return to time and again with friends and family. Trust me, once you try it, you’ll be hooked on the light, creamy, cherry-kissed delight!