Nothing beats the light, fluffy charm of angel food cake paired with the sweet-tart zing of cherries and creamy layers that melt in your mouth. This Cherry Angel Food Cake Dessert Recipe is exactly that kind of dreamy treat — perfect for warm-weather get-togethers or anytime you want a refreshing, fuss-free dessert that wows.

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've been making this Cherry Angel Food Cake Dessert Recipe for years, and every time it lands at the table, it disappears fast. It’s one of those effortless desserts that feels special, thanks to its beautiful layers and that perfect combo of textures and flavors.

Easy to assemble: No baking beyond the store-bought angel food cake means less stress and more time to enjoy your guests.
Light and airy: Angel food cake makes this dessert feel indulgent without being heavy or overly sweet.
Cherry goodness: The bright cherry pie filling adds just the right amount of fruity tartness.
Make-ahead friendly: This dessert tastes even better after chilling overnight, so you can prep in advance.

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

The magic of this Cherry Angel Food Cake Dessert Recipe lies in how simple ingredients come together to create layers of flavor and texture — from fluffy cake to creamy filling and juicy cherries. Shopping is straightforward, and you can often find everything you need at your local grocery store.

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 a pre-made one saves so much time, plus its airy crumb soaks up the cream just right without getting mushy.
Cream Cheese: Softened cream cheese gives the filling richness and a velvety texture that balances the sweetness perfectly.
Confectioner’s Sugar: Powdered sugar blends seamlessly for a smooth cream layer with just the right hint of sweetness.
Whole Milk: This thins the cream cheese enough to spread nicely but keeps it creamy and luscious.
Vanilla Extract: Adds warmth and depth to the cream layer, tying flavors together.
Frozen Whipped Topping: Cool Whip or a similar product keeps things light and airy, folding easily into the cream cheese mixture.
Cherry Pie Filling: Brings that classic cherry flavor and vibrant color — plus the juicy texture contrasts wonderfully with the creamy layer.

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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 that this dessert is so flexible—you can keep it classic or switch it up depending on what you have on hand or your personal taste. I've tried blending the cake right into the cream layer for a scoopable treat, but usually, I like to keep the layers distinct to preserve the cake’s texture.

Variation: Once, I swapped the cherry pie filling for blueberry and added a sprinkle of lemon zest on top; it was a bright twist that was just as delightful.
Dietary tweak: For a lighter option, you can use low-fat cream cheese and a light whipped topping, though it changes the richness slightly.
Seasonal change: Try fresh cherries or mixed berries when they're in season for an even fresher flavor profile.

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

Step 1: Prepare the Angel Food Cake Base

Start by tearing or cutting your angel food cake into bite-sized pieces. I like to keep them fairly uniform — about 1 to 2 inches — so the cake layers nicely hold through each bite. Spread these pieces evenly across the bottom of a 9 x 13 baking dish; this will give you a solid cake base to build on.

Step 2: Whip Up the Cream Cheese Layer

In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and confectioner’s sugar together until smooth and creamy—that’s key for a luscious filling. Then pour in the milk and vanilla extract, and continue mixing until everything is silky and combined.

Next, gently fold in the thawed whipped topping. Take your time with this part — folding keeps it light and fluffy, while stirring too much can deflate the mixture.

Step 3: Build the Layers

Spread that creamy mixture evenly over your angel food cake base—cover every piece so that each forkful is perfectly balanced. Then spoon the cherry pie filling on top, spreading it gently so you don’t disturb the cream layer beneath. The contrast of the red cherries against the white cream is such a pretty sight!

Step 4: Chill & Serve

Cover your dish and pop it into the fridge for at least 2 hours or overnight. This chill time lets the flavors meld and the layers set up, plus it keeps the cake from getting soggy too quickly. Trust me—waiting is worth it!

Top Tip

From my experience, this Cherry Angel Food Cake Dessert Recipe really shines when you treat each step with care. A few little pointers have made all the difference over the years.

Softening the cream cheese: Leave the block out at room temperature for at least 30 minutes before starting to avoid lumps and get a silky smooth filling.
Folding the whipped topping: Use a spatula and a gentle hand to fold—it keeps the airiness which is what makes this dessert so delightful.
Layering thoughtfully: Keeping the angel food cake on the bottom without mixing helps maintain a pleasing texture profile so it doesn't become mushy too soon.
Chill time matters: Resist the urge to serve immediately; chilling really lets the flavors marry and the layers set beautifully.

How to Serve Cherry Angel Food Cake Dessert Recipe

cherry angel food cake - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I like topping mine with a few fresh cherries or a light dusting of powdered sugar just before serving—it adds that little extra touch of charm. Sometimes, a sprig of fresh mint can brighten up each plate and adds a lovely color contrast.

Side Dishes

This dessert pairs beautifully with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a simple fruit salad for a refreshing finish. If you’re serving it at a summer barbecue, it also complements iced tea or sparkling lemonade perfectly.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I've layered this dessert in individual glass parfait cups — it looks stunning and is super easy for guests to grab. Another fun idea is to turn it into a trifle bowl centerpiece with layers of angel food cake, cream, and cherries repeating throughout.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftover Cherry Angel Food Cake Dessert keeps well covered in the fridge for up to 3 days. I always store it in an airtight container or cover the dish tightly with plastic wrap to keep it fresh and prevent the cake from drying out.

Freezing

I don’t usually freeze this dessert because the texture of angel food cake changes with freezing, but if you do want to freeze leftovers, I recommend portioning it into single servings and wrapping them really well to prevent freezer burn.

Reheating

This dessert is best enjoyed cold, so reheating isn’t typically needed. Just take it out of the fridge 10-15 minutes before serving if it feels too chilled.

Frequently Asked Questions:

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

Absolutely! In fact, it tastes best after chilling for a few hours or overnight to let the flavors meld and the layers set up perfectly.

Can I use fresh cherries instead of canned pie filling?

You can! Just chop fresh cherries and toss them with a bit of sugar and lemon juice to mimic that sweet-tart pie filling flavor. Keep in mind the texture will be a little different but delicious nonetheless.

What if I want to make this dessert gluten-free?

This recipe is naturally gluten-free as angel food cake is typically made from egg whites and sugar. Just double-check your store-bought cake to be certain. Alternatively, you can make or buy a gluten-free angel food cake.

Can I swap out the cream cheese for something else?

You can try using mascarpone or even Greek yogurt for a lighter option, but the cream cheese adds that signature tang and richness that balances the cherry sweetness, so I recommend sticking with it if possible.

Final Thoughts

This Cherry Angel Food Cake Dessert Recipe remains one of my go-to crowd-pleasers because it’s just so simple and delicious. It’s like a little celebration in every spoonful, perfect for sharing with friends or family. Give it a try—you’ll find yourself making it again and again, just like I do!