Description
Cherries in the Snow is a light and refreshing layered dessert featuring airy angel food cake, creamy sweetened cream cheese mixture, whipped topping, and luscious cherry pie filling. Perfect for gatherings and easy to prepare ahead.
Ingredients
Scale
Cake Layer
- 14 ounces pre-made angel food cake
Cream Layer
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened (1 block)
- 1 cup confectioner's sugar
- ½ cup whole milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 12 ounces frozen whipped topping, thawed (Cool Whip works great)
Topping
- 42 ounces cherry pie filling (2 cans of 21 ounces each)
Instructions
- Prepare the Cake: Tear or cut the pre-made angel food cake into bite-size pieces and arrange them evenly in the bottom of a 9 x 13 inch baking dish, creating the base layer of the dessert.
- Make the Cream Layer: In a large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and confectioner's sugar together until smooth and creamy. Then pour in the whole milk and vanilla extract, mixing thoroughly until fully combined and silky in texture.
- Fold in Whipped Topping: Gently fold the thawed whipped topping into the cream cheese mixture until it becomes light, fluffy, and spreadable. Be careful not to overmix to keep the airiness.
- Assemble the Layers: Evenly spread the cream cheese mixture over the angel food cake layer, ensuring all cake pieces are covered. Then spoon the cherry pie filling evenly over the cream layer, spreading gently to keep layers distinct.
- Chill and Serve: Cover the baking dish and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or preferably overnight. This chilling allows the dessert to set properly and prevents the cake from becoming soggy. Serve chilled for best texture and flavor.
Notes
- If serving immediately, you can mix the angel food cake pieces directly into the cream cheese mixture instead of layering, but layering helps maintain cake texture over time.
- Use thawed whipped topping fully softened for easier folding and better texture.
- For a lighter version, consider using low-fat cream cheese and reduced sugar, though this may affect creaminess.
- This dessert can be assembled a day ahead and kept covered in the refrigerator.
- If fresh cherries are in season, you can substitute the canned cherry pie filling with a homemade cherry topping for a fresher taste.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 32 g
- Sodium: 190 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 42 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 40 mg
