Name: Cherry Angel Food Cake Dessert Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Total time: 2 h 20 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 14 ounces pre-made angel food cake; 8 ounces cream cheese, softened; 1 cup confectioner’s sugar; ½ cup whole milk; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 12 ounces frozen whipped topping, thawed; 42 ounces cherry pie filling (2 cans of 21 ounces each)

There’s something irresistibly light and fruity about this **Cherry Angel Food Cake Dessert Recipe** that makes it a standout at any gathering. The fluffy layers of angel food cake paired with creamy dreamy topping and vibrant cherry filling create a dessert that's both elegant and simple — really, what’s not to love?

The image shows a close-up of a spoon holding a scoop of layered dessert. The dessert has three layers: the top layer is bright red cherry topping with visible whole cherries and shiny syrup; the middle layer is white and creamy, smooth in texture; the bottom layer is light yellow, resembling soft cake or biscuit pieces. The dessert is inside a white rectangular dish with a handle, and there is a red and white striped cloth nearby. The background has a soft focus with light colors and a white marbled texture surface. 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 honestly adore this Cherry Angel Food Cake Dessert Recipe because it’s the perfect balance of fluffy, creamy, and fruity — and it comes together in no time! It’s one of my go-to “wow” desserts when I want something special but fuss-free.

Simple and Quick: Using store-bought angel food cake keeps things easy but still delicious.
Perfect Texture: The airy cake combined with creamy layers prevents the dessert from feeling heavy.
Make-Ahead Friendly: Chill it overnight and it tastes even better the next day — ideal for busy hosts.
Family Favorite: Cherries bring a nostalgic touch that delights people of all ages at my family get-togethers.

A white rectangular ceramic dish filled with a thick, glossy, dark red layer of whole and halved cherries in a jelly-like sauce evenly spread across the top, showing a rich, shiny texture with some cherry pieces slightly embedded beneath the surface. The dish is placed on a white marbled surface next to 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 special role, combining classic textures and flavors that complement each other beautifully. Pay attention to these little details for the best results.

Flat lay of a torn angel food cake broken into bite-size pieces arranged neatly, a block of smooth cream cheese, a small white bowl filled with fine confectioner’s sugar, a small white bowl containing whole milk, a small white bowl with clear vanilla extract, a small white bowl of fluffy thawed whipped topping, and a simple white ceramic bowl holding glossy red cherry pie filling with whole cherries visible, all placed 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 light, spongy texture soaks up the cream without turning mushy quickly. Store-bought works perfectly and saves time.
Cream Cheese: Adds tangy richness that balances the sweetness of cherries and sugar.
Confectioner’s Sugar: Blends smoothly into the cream layer, ensuring no grainy texture.
Whole Milk: Adds moisture and helps loosen the cream cheese mixture to spread easily.
Vanilla Extract: A small splash perks up the whole flavor, giving warmth to the creamy layer.
Frozen Whipped Topping: Makes the cream layer light and fluffy, essential for that melt-in-your-mouth feel.
Cherry Pie Filling: The star ingredient — sweet, tart, and juicy cherries add vibrant color and flavor.

📝

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 how versatile this Cherry Angel Food Cake Dessert Recipe is. Sometimes I layer it as instructed, but when feeling a bit rushed, I mix everything together for a quick yet tasty trifle. Either way, it’s delicious!

Variation: For a tropical twist, swap the cherry pie filling with pineapple chunks and drip some coconut extract into your cream mixture.
Dietary tweak: Use a dairy-free cream cheese and whipped topping to make this friendly for lactose intolerance without losing that creamy texture.
Seasonal: Fresh cherries in summer? Even better! Drain them slightly and toss them with a bit of sugar before layering.

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

Step 1: Prep Your Angel Food Cake Base

I usually tear or cut the angel food cake into bite-sized pieces — it helps the cream layer soak in better without turning the cake mushy too fast. Spread those pieces evenly in a 9x13 baking dish; this forms the perfect fluffy foundation.

Step 2: Whip Up the Creamy Layer

Next, beat your softened cream cheese and confectioner’s sugar until smooth. Don’t rush this — I find a hand mixer works wonders here to get that perfect silky texture. Slowly add in milk and vanilla, then gently fold in the thawed whipped topping to keep it light and fluffy.

Step 3: Assemble with Care

Spread that luscious cream mixture evenly over your angel food cake layer. Take your time here — you want a nice thick layer without squishing the cake. Finally, spoon the cherry pie filling on top, spreading gently so the layers stay distinct and inviting.

Step 4: Chill and Enjoy

Cover your dessert and pop it in the fridge for at least 2 hours. Trust me, the flavors meld together beautifully as it chills, and the cake firms up enough to hold its shape when serving.

Top Tip

Having made this Cherry Angel Food Cake Dessert Recipe dozens of times, I’ve learned that a few simple habits make all the difference to keep it light and delicious every single time.

Don’t Overmix the Cream: Fold gently when adding whipped topping to keep that airy texture intact.
Use Room Temperature Cream Cheese: It blends more easily; no dreaded lumps and a silkier cream layer.
Layer, Don’t Mix: While mixing cake into cream is tempting, especially if serving immediately, layering preserves the angel food cake’s texture better for make-ahead servings.
Chill Long Enough: At least two hours or overnight reinforces the flavor harmony and makes slicing cleaner.

How to Serve Cherry Angel Food Cake Dessert Recipe

Cherry Angel Food Cake - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I like to top each serving with a few fresh cherries if available — it adds color and freshness. A light dusting of powdered sugar or a sprig of mint also adds an elegant finishing touch without overpowering those lovely cherry flavors.

Side Dishes

Since this dessert is wonderfully sweet and rich, I usually serve it alongside simple, lightly brewed coffee or a tart lemon sorbet to balance the flavors. It pairs beautifully with a crisp green salad for a light dinner setting too.

Creative Ways to Present

For parties, I’ve layered this dessert in clear glass trifle bowls — everyone loves seeing those vibrant cherry layers and fluffy cream peeking through. You can also cut and serve in individual mason jars for adorable single-serve portions that guests appreciate!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I keep leftovers tightly covered in the fridge — usually with plastic wrap directly on the surface to prevent drying out. It holds up well for 2 to 3 days; just give it a gentle stir before serving if the layers shift.

Freezing

Freezing isn’t my favorite option for this dessert because the texture changes after thawing, but if you need to, freeze in airtight containers and thaw overnight in the refrigerator. The cherry layer may release some juice, so expect a softer cake texture.

Reheating

This dessert is best served chilled, so I don’t recommend reheating. If you want it less cold, simply let it sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before digging in.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use homemade angel food cake in this recipe?

Absolutely! Homemade angel food cake works wonderfully if you have the time to make it, but store-bought is a great shortcut that’s still delicious.

How far ahead can I prepare Cherry Angel Food Cake Dessert Recipe?

You can prepare it up to 24 hours in advance and keep it refrigerated. It actually tastes better after chilling overnight because the flavors have more time to meld.

Can I substitute fresh cherries instead of canned cherry pie filling?

Yes, you can, but fresh cherries should be sweetened and thickened slightly to mimic the pie filling texture, or use a fresh cherry compote to prevent the dessert from becoming too watery.

Is this recipe suitable for a dairy-free diet?

You can make it dairy-free by choosing vegan cream cheese alternatives and dairy-free whipped topping options. Just be sure to check labels to keep the flavors balanced.

Final Thoughts

This Cherry Angel Food Cake Dessert Recipe holds a special place in my recipe rotation because it’s reliably delicious and so simple to pull off. It’s perfect whether you’re feeding a crowd or just craving a bright, light dessert after a big meal. I highly recommend giving it a try — once you taste that cherry and creamy combo atop fluffy cake, I bet it’ll become a favorite in your kitchen, too.