Cherry Angel Food Cake Dessert Recipe is one of those refreshing, light treats that truly feels like a celebration of spring and summer flavors. It’s got that perfect balance of fluffy angel food cake, creamy layers, and bright, sweet cherry topping that makes every bite feel special and just a little indulgent.

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’m genuinely excited to share this Cherry Angel Food Cake Dessert Recipe because it’s one of those classic, no-fuss desserts that looks impressive but comes together super quickly. It’s perfect for so many occasions, from family dinners to potlucks or just a sweet weekday treat.

Effortless Assembly: Using pre-made angel food cake means you skip a whole baking step but still get that fluffy base everyone loves.
Delightfully Light: This dessert isn’t overly rich, so it’s nice when you want something sweet without feeling heavy afterwards.
Cherry-licious Flavor: The cherry pie filling brings a vibrant pop that feels nostalgic and fresh all at once.
Make-Ahead Friendly: It tastes even better after chilling, making it a perfect recipe to prepare in advance for stress-free entertaining.

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

Each ingredient in this Cherry Angel Food Cake Dessert Recipe plays a specific role to keep the dessert light, creamy, and bursting with flavor — plus it’s so easy to find everything for this in any grocery store. Here’s a quick look at what you’ll need and why I love using these:

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: Using store-bought makes life easier and delivers that classic airy texture to soak up the cream and cherries without getting mushy too fast.
Cream Cheese: It adds tang and creaminess, balancing the sweetness of the cherry topping beautifully.
Confectioner’s Sugar: It sweetens without grittiness, blending smoothly into the cream cheese layer.
Whole Milk: Brings a touch of moisture and richness to the cream mixture for silky smoothness.
Vanilla Extract: Elevates the flavor with warm, sweet notes that tie everything together.
Frozen Whipped Topping: Lightens the cream cheese layer, turning it fluffy and spreadable — plus, it’s dairy-free friendly!
Cherry Pie Filling: This is the star fruit component, giving vibrant color and juicy cherry taste that feels both homemade and festive.

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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

I love experimenting with this recipe depending on the season and who I’m serving it to, and you should totally feel free to do the same. This dessert is a wonderful blank canvas for different fruit toppings, textures, or even dietary tweaks to make sure everyone can enjoy it.

Variation: Once, I swapped the cherry pie filling for blueberry pie filling, and it was a fresh twist that my guests couldn’t stop talking about—it’s just as delightful but with a slightly tangier fruit kick.
Dietary modifications: Use a dairy-free cream cheese and whipped topping for a vegan-friendly version. Just be sure to chill a bit longer for firming up.
Seasonal changes: In summer, fresh cherries or berry mixes work beautifully layered on top instead of canned filling—just remember to macerate the berries with a little sugar first!

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

Step 1: Prep the Angel Food Cake Base

The easiest part—tear or cut your angel food cake into bite-sized chunks and spread them evenly across the bottom of your 9 x 13 baking dish. I usually like to fluff the pieces a bit so there’s some airiness left to soak up those creamy layers without turning to mush.

Step 2: Whip Up the Cream Cheese Layer

Next, beat the softened cream cheese and confectioner’s sugar together until silky smooth—no lumps! Pour in the whole milk and vanilla extract, mixing until the texture is creamy and uniform. Then, gently fold in the whipped topping with care; you want a fluffy, spreadable mixture that hugs the angel food cake perfectly.

Step 3: Layer & Chill

Spread that luscious cream cheese mixture over the angel food cake chunks evenly, making sure every piece gets a delicious coating. Then spoon your cherry pie filling on top, spreading it gently across to keep the layers distinct. Cover the dish and pop it in the fridge for at least two hours — the chill time lets the flavors meld and keeps the cake from getting soggy.

Top Tip

Over the years making this Cherry Angel Food Cake Dessert Recipe, I’ve picked up a few simple tricks to make sure it turns out just right each time. These small details really bring out the best texture and flavor.

Softened Cream Cheese: Make sure your cream cheese is fully softened before mixing to avoid lumps and a grainy texture in your cream layer.
Gentle Folding: When adding the whipped topping, fold gently with a spatula instead of stirring vigorously to keep the airiness intact.
Chill Time Is Key: Don’t skip the chilling step! It helps set the layers and prevents the cake from turning soggy—plus, it tastes better when served cold.
Layering vs. Mixing: I’ve found that layering the cake pieces under the cream and cherries helps keep the texture pleasing, compared to mixing everything, which is better if you’re serving it immediately.

How to Serve Cherry Angel Food Cake Dessert Recipe

Cherry Angel Food Cake - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I usually top mine with some fresh cherries or a few mint leaves to add a pop of color and a bit of fresh brightness—just enough to elevate it without overpowering the classic flavors. A dusting of powdered sugar over the top looks pretty and adds a hint of extra sweetness.

Side Dishes

This dessert is lovely on its own but pairs nicely with a dollop of vanilla bean ice cream or a simple cup of coffee or tea. For a more festive spread, add a fresh fruit salad or lemon bars for balance.

Creative Ways to Present

For parties, I’ve served this in clear glass trifle bowls or elegant parfait glasses, layering single servings for a show-stopper presentation. You can even garnish each glass with a sprig of fresh mint and a cherry on top for that extra wow factor.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftovers keep well covered in the fridge for up to three days. I always make sure to use an airtight container or cover the dish tightly with plastic wrap to keep the dessert from absorbing any fridge odors and to maintain the cream layer’s texture.

Freezing

I haven’t personally frozen this dessert because the texture of angel food cake can get a bit rubbery after thawing, but if you want to freeze, consider separating the components: freeze the cake and cherry filling separately, and thaw/fill fresh when ready to serve.

Reheating

This is best enjoyed chilled, so I don’t recommend reheating. If you have leftovers, just serve straight from the fridge for that perfect cool, creamy texture.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use homemade angel food cake instead of store-bought?

Absolutely! If you have the time to bake your own angel food cake, it will add a wonderful homemade touch. Just be sure it’s fully cooled before cutting and layering to keep the dessert from getting soggy.

How far in advance can I prepare this dessert?

You can prepare this dessert the night before or up to 24 hours ahead of serving. Just cover tightly and keep refrigerated to maintain fresh flavors and texture.

Can I substitute fresh cherries for the pie filling?

Yes! Fresh cherries can be used but I recommend macerating them with a little sugar for about 30 minutes to bring out their natural juices and sweetness, making the dessert juicier and more flavorful.

Is this dessert suitable for dairy-free diets?

You can make a dairy-free version by using dairy-free cream cheese and a non-dairy whipped topping alternative. Just ensure your substitutions are well chilled and beaten to the right texture before folding them in.

Final Thoughts

This Cherry Angel Food Cake Dessert Recipe has been a go-to for me whenever I want to impress with minimal fuss. Its lightness and classic cherry flavor bring back such happy memories, and I’m confident you’ll find it just as easy and delicious. So grab a fork, chill it well, and enjoy every bite like I do when sharing it with friends around the kitchen table.