Cherry Jello Salad

This cherry jello salad is made with cherry gelatin, cherry pie filling, and crushed pineapple set firm in a 9×13, then topped with a thick vanilla pudding whipped cream layer that slices into clean, beautiful squares.

It is one of those make-ahead recipes that genuinely gets better overnight — the flavors mix together, the layers firm up, and when you pull it out of the fridge the next day, it is ready to go and looks like you put in way more effort than you did.

You might be asking if this is a salad or a dessert. It’s really both, which is part of the fun. If you grew up in the Midwest (I was born in Omaha), you know jell-o salads are always somewhere between a side dish and a sweet treat. This one leans more toward dessert, but it still pairs well with ham at Easter or burgers at a Fourth of July cookout. Everyone will enjoy it.

If you love cherry desserts, you should also try my Cherry Fluff Salad. It’s totally different from this recipe: it’s scoopable, not sliceable, served from a bowl with maraschino cherries and marshmallows, and very tasty. And if you want even more cherry treats, my No Bake Cherry Cheesecake Bars are a great addition to your dessert table!

Ingredients

• 1 large box (6 oz) cherry gelatin
• 2 cups boiling water
• 1 can (21 oz) cherry pie filling
• 1 can (20 oz) crushed pineapple, undrained
• 2 cups heavy whipping cream
• 1 box (3.4 oz) instant vanilla pudding
• 1 cup milk

How to Make Cherry Jello Salad

Before you begin, check that your refrigerator has space for a 9×13 baking dish. You’ll need to put it in the fridge right after pouring in the jello mixture.

To make the jello layer, add the cherry gelatin and boiling water to a large bowl and whisk for about 2 minutes until the gelatin is fully dissolved. Gently stir in the cherry pie filling and the crushed pineapple with its juice. Don’t drain the pineapple. Mix well, then pour everything into a 9×13 baking dish and place it in the refrigerator. Let it set for at least 4 hours, or overnight for best results.

Make the vanilla cream topping. Pour the heavy whipping cream into a large mixing bowl and beat it with a hand mixer on medium-high speed until stiff peaks form, which takes about 3 to 4 minutes. In another bowl, whisk the instant vanilla pudding and cold milk together until they are combined and slightly thickened, about 2 minutes. Gently fold the pudding mixture into the whipped cream and beat briefly until everything is fully mixed and the topping is thick and fluffy.

Top and chill. Spread the vanilla cream layer evenly over the set jello. Cover and refrigerate for at least one hour before serving, or leave it overnight. When you’re ready to serve, cut it into squares and use a spatula to lift each piece out cleanly.

Makes 15 to 18 slices.

Tips for the Best Cherry Jello Salad

Don’t drain the pineapple. The juice from the crushed pineapple adds flavor and helps the jello layer stay soft enough to eat easily without being rubbery. Leave it in.

Let the jello set fully before adding the topping. This is the most important step. If the jello is still loose when you spread the cream layer on top, the two will mix together, and you won’t get clean slices. Four hours minimum, overnight if you can.

Use cold milk for the pudding. Instant pudding needs cold liquid to thicken properly, or the pudding won’t set.

Whip the cream to stiff peaks. You want the cream firm before you fold in the pudding. Soft peaks will give you a topping that spreads but doesn’t hold its shape when sliced. Go until it is thick and holds its form.

Make it the night before. This salad is genuinely better the next day. The flavors settle, the layers firm up, and it slices beautifully. It is one of the best make-ahead dishes I have in my rotation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make this in individual servings?

Yes! You can pour the cherry jello mixture into individual dessert cups or small glass bowls and let them set. Once the jello is firm, spoon the vanilla cream on top of each one. This is a great option for parties when you want easy individual servings without having to slice.

What can I serve with cherry jello salad?

This goes really well with Easter ham, Thanksgiving turkey, or any summer cookout spread. It also fits right in with other fruit salads and fluff salads at a potluck dessert table. For more cherry recipes to serve with it, check out the cherry pie filling recipes collection on Salty Side Dish.

Why isn’t my Jello setting?

The most common reason is that the gelatin wasn’t fully dissolved before you added the other ingredients. Be sure to whisk the gelatin with boiling water for a full 2 minutes until there are no granules left. Another common issue is using fresh pineapple. Always use canned for this recipe, as fresh pineapple can interact with the gelatin. If your jello still doesn’t set after 4 hours, let it chill longer. An overnight chill usually fixes most setting problems.