This Sweet Cherry Jello Fluff is a creamy mix of cottage cheese, Cool Whip, cherry Jell-O, pineapple, and maraschino cherries—easy, nostalgic, perfect.
< Remember it later! >
Planning to try this recipe soon? Pin it for a quick find later!
< Remember it later! >
Planning to try this recipe soon? Pin it for a quick find later!
Let’s set the scene: I was elbow-deep in a drawer full of old family recipes, hunting for something that wasn’t meatloaf or green bean casserole. I wanted a dessert—something low-effort, preferably pink, and definitely not trying to be impressive. You know those days where you want joy in a bowl and not a 14-step baking project?
I stumbled on a crinkled index card from my aunt Judy (or maybe my mom’s friend Linda?) titled “Cherry Fluff.” No instructions, just a chaotic list of ingredients written in pink gel pen and… glitter? Questionable, but intriguing.
I remembered having it as a kid at a family picnic—someone brought it in a Tupperware that’d been faded by years of sunlight and dishwasher abuse. I remember thinking it looked weird. But then I ate it. And I’ve been low-key chasing that moment ever since.
So I made it. I tweaked it. I tasted it straight from the bowl. And yeah—turns out Sweet Cherry Jello Fluff isn’t just a retro relic. It’s an emotional support dessert.
Why You’ll Love This Sweet Cherry Jello Fluff Recipe?
You know how some recipes just get it? They’re not trying to reinvent dessert. They’re not competing with molten chocolate cake. They’re just here to do one thing: make you smile.
That’s this. It’s creamy, fruity, fluffy, and just the right amount of sweet. It’s not a show-off. It’s the best friend of the dessert table. The one that quietly disappears while everyone’s fussing over the fancy stuff.
And here’s the thing—Sweet Cherry Jello Fluff is:
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Fast. It takes five minutes. Ten if you’re chopping cherries with one hand and answering emails with the other.
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Forgiving. You don’t need to measure perfectly. You don’t need to sift anything. You just stir.
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Familiar. It tastes like summers at Grandma’s, potlucks at the park, and those awkward family reunions where the only good thing was dessert.
Basically, it’s the edible equivalent of curling up in your favorite old hoodie on a Sunday afternoon.
Ingredient Notes:
This combo sounds chaotic, I know. But together? Chef’s kiss. Here’s why each one works:
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Cottage cheese – Hear me out. I hate plain cottage cheese. Always have. But in this? It melts into the Cool Whip and gives you this tangy, creamy base that balances the sweet stuff. If you’ve never tried it like this, don’t knock it yet.
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Cool Whip – Yes, the tub kind. Is it fancy? No. Is it perfect here? Absolutely. It adds that dreamy lightness that gives fluff its name.
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Cherry Jell-O powder – Not prepared Jell-O. Just the dry mix. It gives color, flavor, and that sweet cherry punch that makes this feel like a treat from another era—in the best way.
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Crushed pineapple – It brings a little tang and texture, kind of like the sparkle in an otherwise creamy bite. Just drain it well, or your fluff will end up more like soup. Been there.
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Maraschino cherries – The unsung heroes. Sticky, sweet, a little over-the-top… and essential. Half go in the fluff, half go on top. All get eaten.
How To Make Sweet Cherry Jello Fluff?
No mixers. No stovetop. No pressure. Just stir and chill. Kind of like you, hopefully.
Step 1: Stir the base
Dump the cottage cheese, Cool Whip, and dry Jell-O powder into a big bowl. Mix it until it’s all pink and lovely. It might look a little grainy at first—just keep stirring. The powder melts in eventually.
Step 2: Add fruit
Fold in your well-drained crushed pineapple. If there’s too much juice left, you’ll get fluff soup. Trust me. I made that mistake once and it haunted me.
Step 3: Cherry duty
Slice your maraschino cherries in half. I usually snack on a few—occupational hazard. Toss half into the bowl, then save the rest to make the top look all bright and festive.
Step 4: Chill out
Cover the bowl and let it sit in the fridge for at least an hour. Longer if you can wait. This isn’t the kind of dessert you rush. It needs a nap.
Step 5: Serve it, smile, repeat
Sprinkle the rest of the cherries over the top before serving. Grab a spoon. Or don’t. I won’t judge.
Want To Save This Recipe?
Storage Options:
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Fridge: It’ll last 2–3 days in a sealed container. Stir it if it gets a little watery on top—it bounces right back.
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Freezer: Don’t do it. It changes the texture and not in a fun way. The Cool Whip turns weird, and the pineapple freezes like tiny fruit knives.
Pro tip: Make a second batch and hide it behind the frozen peas. That’s how I survived the holidays.
Variations and Substitutions:
This recipe is flexible. Not in a yoga-way. More like a “use what you’ve got and make it work” way. Here’s how to riff:
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Swap cherry Jell-O for strawberry or raspberry.
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Add mini marshmallows for chew (this one divides people—choose your side).
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Use mandarin oranges instead of pineapple.
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Add shredded coconut for a tropical twist.
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Want crunch? Toss in pecans or walnuts—just chop ‘em small.
You can even layer it in a trifle dish with crushed vanilla wafers if you’re trying to impress your in-laws. Just saying.
What to Serve with Sweet Cherry Jello Fluff?
This fluff’s versatile. It shows up to the party and fits in everywhere.
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BBQs and potlucks: Right next to the potato salad.
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Holiday spreads: Give the pumpkin pie some pink competition.
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Brunch: Yep. I’ve served it with bagels and coffee. No regrets.
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Midnight snacks: Eat it straight from the bowl in pajama pants. The dream.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Can I make it ahead of time?
Yep! It actually tastes better the next day. Just keep it covered.
Can I use real whipped cream instead of Cool Whip?
Sure—just whip it to soft peaks. But Cool Whip holds up better if it’s gonna sit in the fridge for a bit.
Do I have to use cottage cheese?
Okay, technically you can sub in Greek yogurt or ricotta, but I swear the cottage cheese is what makes it work. Give it a try.
Sweet Cherry Jello Fluff is more than dessert. It’s the dish that shows up when you need something easy, something sweet, and something that makes people say, “Ooh, I haven’t had this in forever!”
It’s pink, it’s fluffy, it doesn’t take itself too seriously—and neither should you.
So go ahead. Stir it together. Sneak a bite before it chills. Eat it from the bowl with the big spoon. Share it with the people you love—or keep it all to yourself. I won’t tell.
And hey—if you grew up eating this too, or you try it for the first time and fall in love like I did? Let me know. I’ll be over here, eating the last scoop straight from the Tupperware.
< Remember it later! >
Planning to try this recipe soon? Pin it for a quick find later!
< Remember it later! >
Planning to try this recipe soon? Pin it for a quick find later!
Keep the Flavor Coming – Try These:
Sweet Cherry Jello Fluff
Ingredients
- 1 c cottage cheese
- 8 ounces Cool Whip
- 3 ounces box cherry Jell-O you can use regular or sugar-free
- 8 oz. can crushed pineapple drained
- 10 oz. jar Maraschino cherries drained and stems discarded
Instructions
- Mix Together: In a large bowl, mix the cottage cheese, Cool Whip, and cherry Jell-O powder until well combined.
- Add Pineapple: Stir in the drained crushed pineapple.
- Cherry Time: Slice the Maraschino cherries in half. Mix half into the bowl and save the rest for topping.
- Chill: Put the mixture in the fridge. Before serving, decorate the top with the remaining cherry halves. Enjoy once it's nice and chilled!
Notes
I’m Bitty, owner of nodashofgluten.com, where I share simple, delicious recipes for all tastes, including gluten-free. Check out my “About Me” page for more info!
