There’s something effortlessly charming about a dessert that looks as good as it tastes—and this Cherry Angel Food Cake Dessert Recipe fits the bill perfectly. Light, fluffy angel food cake paired with creamy layers and bursting cherries makes for a treat that’s both nostalgic and refreshingly simple.

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

This Cherry Angel Food Cake Dessert Recipe is one of those easy-to-make classics that never fails to impress. I love how the layers balance: the airy sweetness of angel food cake, the creamy tang of cream cheese, and the bright pop of cherry pie filling. It’s a crowd-pleaser that's perfect for summer gatherings or any time you want a dessert that feels light but special.

Effortless layering: It’s simple to assemble without complicated baking steps, perfect for busy days or last-minute plans.
Light but satisfying: The angel food cake keeps things airy and less heavy than heavier cakes, so you can enjoy a generous slice guilt-free.
Delicious cherry burst: The cherry pie filling adds just the right amount of sweetness and tartness that pairs wonderfully with the creamy layers.
Make-ahead friendly: You can prepare it ahead of time and chill, which makes it super convenient for entertaining.

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

This recipe combines a handful of ingredients that play off each other beautifully—light cake, smooth cream cheese, sweet cherries, and fluffy whipped topping. You don’t need fancy or hard-to-find products, just quality basics from the store will do the trick.

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: Using pre-made angel food cake saves time and brings that distinctive airy texture that’s key to this dessert.
Cream Cheese: Softened to creamy perfection, it adds a slight tang that balances the sweetness.
Confectioner’s Sugar: Blended into the cream cheese for a smooth, sweet layer without any graininess.
Whole Milk: Adds a bit of richness and helps achieve a silky cream mixture.
Vanilla Extract: Just a splash elevates the flavor, making it more aromatic and warm.
Frozen Whipped Topping: Thawed to light and fluffy, it folds easily into the cream layer, keeping it airy and spreadable.
Cherry Pie Filling: The star of the show with its juicy cherries and luscious sauce—opt for quality canned filling for best results.

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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

While this Cherry Angel Food Cake Dessert Recipe already shines on its own, I really enjoy adapting it depending on the season or who’s coming over. It’s super flexible—play around with layers, add nuts or swap cherries for other fruits if you like.

Variation: Once, I substituted the cherry pie filling with fresh mixed berries and a little homemade strawberry sauce—resulted in a fresh twist that the whole family loved. You can do the same with peach or blueberry pie fillings for a seasonal spin.
Diet-friendly tweak: For a lighter version, try using light cream cheese and sugar-free whipped topping to keep the dessert feeling guilt-free.
Presentation touch: I sometimes toss in some sliced almonds between layers for added texture when I want an extra little crunch without complicating the recipe.

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

Step 1: Prep the Angel Food Cake Base

I start by tearing or cutting that angel food cake into bite-sized pieces and spreading them evenly in the bottom of a 9x13 dish. I’ve found this layering keeps the cake airy and prevents it from getting too soggy once the cream and cherries go on top.

Step 2: Whip Up the Cream Cheese Layer

Next, I blend the softened cream cheese with the confectioner’s sugar using a hand mixer until it’s smooth and velvety. Then, I add the milk and vanilla extract, mixing well to incorporate everything. Finally, folding in the whipped topping gently keeps it light and fluffy—a key texture here.

Step 3: Layer the Cream and Cherries

Carefully spreading the cream cheese mixture over the angel food cake is the fun part—it should cover all those pieces evenly. Then, I gently spoon the cherry pie filling over the cream layer, making sure not to mix them too much. This keeps the layers distinct and beautiful.

Step 4: Chill and Let the Flavors Meld

Once assembled, I cover the dish and refrigerate it for a minimum of two hours—overnight if possible. Cooling helps the flavors marry and lets the cake soak up moisture without losing its fluffiness. Trust me, patience here really pays off!

Top Tip

After making this recipe multiple times, I’ve learned a few easy ways to make sure your Cherry Angel Food Cake Dessert Recipe turns out perfectly every time. These little pointers save time and avoid common slip-ups.

Don’t skip chilling: This dessert needs those few hours in the fridge for the cream to set and flavors to blend—skip this, and you’ll lose the magic texture.
Softened cream cheese is key: Make sure it’s room temperature before mixing to avoid lumps in your cream layer.
Fold, don’t stir: When combining whipped topping, fold gently to keep it airy and light.
Choosing the right cherry filling: Use a good-quality canned cherry pie filling for the best flavor and texture; fresh cherries often don’t hold same juiciness here.

How to Serve Cherry Angel Food Cake Dessert Recipe

Cherry Angel Food Cake - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I love topping this dessert with a few fresh cherries or a sprig of mint right before serving for that extra pop of color and a fresh aroma. Sometimes, lightly dusting with a bit of powdered sugar adds a pretty finish and makes it feel that extra special.

Side Dishes

Since it’s both light and sweet, I usually pair this dessert with a simple cup of coffee or a mildly flavored herbal tea. If it’s a party, some crisp lemon bars or tart citrus fruits work beautifully alongside for a balanced dessert spread.

Creative Ways to Present

For a fun twist at family get-togethers, I have served this dessert in individual parfait glasses layered pretty with cake, cream, and cherries—everyone loves having their own little portion to dig into. Ribbon-tied glass jars filled with this dessert also make delightful gifts!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftovers actually get better after resting overnight. I store them covered tightly in the refrigerator—this helps maintain moisture without the cake becoming too soggy. It usually lasts 3-4 days when refrigerated properly.

Freezing

I don’t typically recommend freezing this dessert because the texture can change—the whipped topping can get icy, and the cake can become too dense once thawed. It’s best enjoyed fresh within a few days.

Reheating

This dessert is best served cold straight from the fridge, so reheating isn’t ideal. If you want to soften it a little, let it sit at room temperature for about 15 minutes before serving—this gently loosens the cream and cake for a perfect texture.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use fresh cherries instead of canned pie filling?

Fresh cherries are lovely but won’t have the same syrupy sweetness and thick texture as canned pie filling, which helps the dessert hold its layers. If using fresh, consider cooking them down with sugar to create a compote.

Can I make this dessert gluten-free?

Angel food cake is typically gluten-free since it’s made with cake flour, but some store-bought versions may contain gluten. Look for specifically labeled gluten-free angel food cake or make your own.

How long should I chill the dessert before serving?

Chilling it for at least 2 hours is necessary for the flavors to meld and for the cream layer to set properly. Overnight chilling results in the best texture.

Can I prepare this dessert in individual servings?

Absolutely! Layer the ingredients in parfait glasses or small jars for easy portioning and a charming presentation that’s perfect for parties.

Final Thoughts

I genuinely enjoy making this Cherry Angel Food Cake Dessert Recipe because it never gets old, and it always brings smiles around the table. It feels fancy without fuss, making it one of my go-to desserts to share with friends and family. I hope you give this recipe a try—you'll appreciate how joyful and easy a dessert can be when it hits just the right balance of flavors and textures.