There’s something irresistibly light and fluffy about this Cherry Angel Food Cake Dessert Recipe that makes it an instant crowd-pleaser. Between the airy angel food cake, creamy layers, and sweet cherry topping, it’s a dessert that feels like a celebration in every bite.

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 Cherry Angel Food Cake Dessert 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 Cherry Angel Food Cake Dessert Recipe

I absolutely adore making this dessert because it’s both simple to throw together and impressive to serve. Every time I bring it to a potluck or family dinner, it disappears fast – and that’s no surprise given how the textures and flavors complement each other perfectly.

Light but decadent: This recipe combines fluffy angel food cake with a smooth cream cheese layer and luscious cherry topping—so you get indulgence without feeling weighed down.
Easy to make ahead: It chills beautifully and actually tastes better after a few hours, making it a stress-free dessert for gatherings.
Minimal ingredients, big flavor: You likely already have everything on hand — or can grab it with one quick trip.
Great for customization: You can easily swap out cherries for other fruit or add a little crunch for variety.

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 element in this Cherry Angel Food Cake Dessert Recipe plays a crucial role — the cake provides the airy base, the cream cheese mix gives creaminess and a slight tang, and the cherry pie filling adds that burst of fruity sweetness. Here are the key ingredients and what makes them special.

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 some of the creaminess without turning mushy too fast, giving you a nice mix of textures.
Cream Cheese: Softened for a creamy, tangy layer that balances the sweetness of the cherries.
Confectioner’s Sugar: Smoothly sweetens the cream cheese layer without graininess.
Whole Milk: Adds moisture and silky texture to the cream mixture.
Vanilla Extract: A subtle boost of flavor that ties all the creamy elements together.
Frozen Whipped Topping: Lightens the cream cheese mixture, making it fluffy and spreadable while keeping the dessert airy.
Cherry Pie Filling: Bursting with sweet-tart cherry flavor and thick, glossy texture that makes the dish pop.

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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 Cherry Angel Food Cake Dessert Recipe is perfect for tweaking. Sometimes I mix in a handful of toasted pecans for a little crunch, while other times I swap the cherry pie filling with blueberry or mixed berry for a fresh twist. You can tailor it as simple or fancy as you want!

Variation: Once, I stirred the angel food cake pieces into the cream cheese mixture instead of layering, which is a great option if you plan to serve immediately. It creates a more uniform texture but might get soggy if left overnight.
Dietary switch: Using a dairy-free cream cheese and whipped topping works well for those avoiding dairy, though the flavor differs slightly.
Seasonal swap: In summer, I like to use fresh cherry pie filling or homemade cherry preserves for a brighter, fresher flavor.

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

Step 1: Prep the Angel Food Cake Base

Start by tearing or cutting your angel food cake into bite-sized pieces. Don't stress about perfect uniformity—that rustic look actually adds charm! I like to arrange these pieces evenly in the bottom of a 9x13-inch dish. Make sure they cover the base completely to serve as a sturdy foundation for your layers.

Step 2: Whip Up the Creamy Layer

In a large bowl, beat your softened cream cheese and confectioner’s sugar together until it's silky smooth. Then pour in milk and vanilla, mixing until fully combined. The key here is to work out those little lumps—if your cream cheese isn’t well softened, it can get clumpy. Once smooth, gently fold in the whipped topping, being careful not to deflate it. You want this layer thick yet spreadable.

Step 3: Assemble the Layers

Spread the cream cheese mixture evenly over the angel food cake pieces, covering them completely but gently so they don’t shift around. Then spoon your cherry pie filling on top, spreading it gently to keep the layers intact. This layered approach keeps the angel food cake from soaking up too much moisture and turning soggy.

Step 4: Chill and Serve

Cover your dish tightly and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, though overnight is even better. This chilling time lets the layers meld together and gives the dessert a lovely, set texture. I like to prepare this the day before a party—it saves you from last-minute fuss and tastes even better after sitting!

Top Tip

From my experience, a few key tips can make your Cherry Angel Food Cake Dessert Recipe troubleshooting-free and foolproof. I’ve seen folks get a bit worried about sogginess or layering, but these little strategies make a big difference.

Softening Cream Cheese Properly: Always let it sit at room temperature until completely softened. Cold cream cheese leads to lumps and makes mixing harder.
Gentle Folding: When folding in whipped topping, don’t rush or overmix—this keeps the texture light and fluffy rather than heavy and dense.
Layering for Texture: I recommend layering the cake pieces separately instead of mixing them in for longer chilling times—this preserves a slight bite of the cake without it turning mushy.
Chilling Enough: Don’t skip the chilling step; it’s essential for the dessert to set properly and slice cleanly.

How to Serve Cherry Angel Food Cake Dessert Recipe

Cherry Angel Food Cake - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I like to keep it simple here: a few fresh cherries on top or a light dusting of powdered sugar adds just enough visual pop. Sometimes, a sprig of fresh mint lifts the color and adds a subtle aroma that makes serving even nicer.

Side Dishes

This dessert pairs wonderfully with lighter sides like a green salad or a handful of roasted nuts at the end of a meal. I’ve also enjoyed it alongside a scoop of vanilla ice cream for extra indulgence.

Creative Ways to Present

For celebrations, I layer this dessert in individual clear parfait glasses so the colors and layers shine through. It’s elegant but still easy to serve. You can even turn it into a trifle by adding layers of crushed cookies or chocolate chips for some fun surprises.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftovers keep well in the refrigerator covered tightly with plastic wrap or an airtight lid. I’ve found it lasts nicely for up to 3 days, though the angel food cake gets a little softer with time, which isn’t bad if you prefer a creamier texture.

Freezing

I don’t often freeze this dessert because the texture changes, but if you want to try, I recommend freezing the angel food cake and cream layer separately before assembling. After thawing, add the cherry topping fresh for best results.

Reheating

This is best served cold, so I usually don’t reheat it. If the dessert is too firm from chilling, just let it sit at room temperature about 10-15 minutes before serving for the best texture.

Frequently Asked Questions:

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

Absolutely! Homemade angel food cake works wonderfully if you have the time. Just be sure it’s fully cooled before tearing into pieces. The freshness can even elevate the dessert a notch.

How far ahead can I prepare this dessert?

You can assemble the Cherry Angel Food Cake Dessert Recipe a day ahead and refrigerate it overnight. This actually improves the flavors and texture, allowing the layers to meld perfectly.

Can I substitute other fruit fillings for the cherries?

Definitely. Blueberry, strawberry, or mixed berry pie fillings work well and offer a tasty variation to the classic cherry flavor.

What’s the best way to avoid soggy cake?

Layering the cake pieces separately from the cream layer, as described in the recipe, helps prevent sogginess. Also, chilling the dessert promptly and serving within a couple of days keeps textures fresh.

Final Thoughts

This Cherry Angel Food Cake Dessert Recipe has a special place in my kitchen—it’s one of those easy yet elegant desserts that always brings a smile. Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or just want a sweet treat that doesn’t feel too heavy, this recipe delivers every time. I hope you enjoy making and sharing it as much as I do!