Strawberry Fluff Salad is the perfect summertime dessert. It’s light, fluffy, and made with fresh strawberries and angel food cake. It only takes minutes to make, so you can whip it up at the last second for your next picnic or barbecue!
Try this amazing chocolate fluff salad for the chocolate lover's in your life.
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Strawberry Shortcake Fluff
Fluff salads are a popular no bake dessert during the summer. Most families have a recipe that has been handed down from their grandma. They are the perfect side dish to share at picnics, barbecues, or family gatherings.
One our favorite versions is this banana split fluff. Adding fresh fruit to the creamy fluff adds a fun burst of flavor and freshness to the dish. Since we had an extra box of strawberries in the fridge, I changed things up and added them to a strawberry fluff.
With its light pink color, smooth texture, and delicious taste, this shortcake salad will have you coming back for another scoop. Your summer parties will never be the same again when you serve this strawberry fluff salad!
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Ready in minutes. In under 10 minutes, you can have a bowl of this creamy goodness chilling in your fridge. All you need are just 6 simple ingredients.
- It is a fun pink color. The pretty pink hue and bright red berries make the salad stand out on any table.
- Light and refreshing. It is a no bake dessert option, which makes it great during the hot months. The cool texture paired with the juicy strawberries tastes so good on a warm summer day.
- Great side dish for parties. This strawberry pudding dessert is a delicious choice to bring to summer picnics or parties. The sweet flavor pairs well with savory options such as burgers, grilled chicken, or pulled pork.
What is a fluff salad?
This dessert salad is a combination of instant pudding, Cool Whip, and different mix-ins in one bowl. Crushed pineapple, nuts, marshmallows, cherries, or chocolate chips are all different ways to change up the dish.
The result is a light, fluffy pudding dessert that can be served as a side dish or a dessert. Popular versions are orange fluff, pistachio fluff, or ambrosia fruit salad.
Ingredients Needed
In just 10 minutes you can have big bowl of this strawberry shortcake fluff salad chilling in your fridge. All you need are these 6 simple ingredients.
- Instant Strawberry Pudding Mix - I usually find this flavored pudding mix at Walmart. If you can't find it, use an instant white chocolate or vanilla pudding mix.
- Milk - Whole milk or 2% milk works best when making instant pudding.
- Cool Whip - The creamy whipped topping gives the pudding a fluffy texture. If you prefer homemade whipped cream, substitute 3 cups.
- Mini Marshmallows - Once they soften this sweet ingredient adds a great texture to the chilled salad. They are optional, so you can leave them out if you like.
- Strawberries - Feel free to use more fresh strawberries. It's also delicious with twice the amount of fruit.
- Angel Food Cake - Cut the cake into small bite-sized cubes before adding it to the mixture. You will only need about ½ a cake to get 3 cups of cubes.
BruCrew Tip: Use leftover cake to make peach cheesecake pie parfaits.
How To Make Strawberry Fluff Salad
The best part about this strawberry fluff recipe is how easy it is to prepare. In ten minutes you can stir everything into a big bowl.
- Slice the fresh strawberries and cut half an angel food cake into chunks. Set these aside.
- Whisk together the instant strawberry pudding mix and milk until it thickens. Gently fold in the thawed Cool Whip.
- Add marshmallows, strawberries, and cake cubes and stir very carefully.
- Refrigerate the bowl of fluff for 1-2 hours for best flavor and texture.
Storage Recommendations
Keep the strawberry fluff in a sealed container in the refrigerator for 2-3 days, although it is best if served the day it is made. If it sits too long, the berries start to add moisture to the easy dessert salad.
I don't recommend freezing any type of fluff salad because it tends to be watery when it thaws and doesn't have the same consistency.
Tips and Tricks
- Boost the strawberry flavor. Stir strawberry Quik powder into the milk before you make the instant pudding mix. You can also stir a few tablespoons of dry strawberry Jello mix into the pudding.
- Use other pudding mixes. Vanilla and white chocolate pudding mixes will work just as well.
- Add a cheesecake flavor. Beat a block of softened cream cheese in a bowl, then mix in the strawberry pudding mixture. Sprinkle graham cracker chunks on top right before serving.
- Let it chill. Refrigerate the pudding mixture for a couple of hours to give it time to thicken.
- Make it a pie. For a fun twist, skip the cake cubes and spread the creamy fluff in a graham cracker crust before chilling.
FAQs
You can use an instant white chocolate or vanilla pudding mix and strawberry milk to get the strawberry flavor. Another thing you can do is add a few teaspoons of dry strawberry Jello to the pudding mix before stirring in the milk.
Yes. This fluff salad can be made 1 day ahead of time and chilled in the fridge. Just make sure to stir it before serving.
We do not recommend using frozen strawberries because they tend to be wet and mushy after thawing. If you add them, they could make your fluff salad very watery.
More Dessert Salads
- S'mores Cheesecake Fluff
- Cookies and Cream Fluff
- Pumpkin Fluff
- Lemon Cheesecake Salad
- Cranberry Fluff Salad
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Recipe
Strawberry Fluff Salad
This sweet pink Strawberry Fluff Salad has pudding, whipped topping, angel food cake, and fresh strawberries. A dessert salad recipe is the perfect treat to share at picnics or barbecues.
Ingredients
- 1 angel food cake
- 1 - 3.4 ounce box instant strawberry pudding mix
- 1 cup 2% milk
- 1 - 8 ounce container Cool Whip, thawed
- 1 ½ cups mini marshmallows
- 2 cups diced strawberries
Instructions
- Cut the angel food cake into small bite sized cubes. You will need 3 cups of the cake cubes.
- Whisk together the pudding mix and milk until dissolved and the pudding thickens.
- Gently fold in the Cool Whip until it is all mixed together.
- Add the marshmallows, cake cubes, and diced strawberries and stir gently.
- Refrigerate until time to serve.
Notes
- Boost the strawberry flavor. Stir strawberry Quik powder into the milk before you make the instant pudding mix. You can also stir a few tablespoons of dry strawberry Jello mix into the pudding.
- Use other pudding mixes. Vanilla and white chocolate pudding mixes will work just as well.
- Give it a cheesecake flavor. Beat a block of softened cream cheese in a bowl, then mix in the strawberry pudding mixture. Sprinkle graham cracker chunks on top right before serving.
- Let it chill. Refrigerate the pudding mixture for a couple of hours to give it time to thicken.
- Make it a pie. Skip the cake cubes and spread the creamy fluff in a graham cracker crust before chilling for a fun twist.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 16 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 87Total Fat: 4gSaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 4mgSodium: 31mgCarbohydrates: 12gFiber: 0gSugar: 9gProtein: 1g
Nutrition facts are an estimate and are not guaranteed to be accurate. If you need special diet advice, please see a registered dietician.
*This post was first published in July 2015. The photos and post were updated and May 2023.
Kathy
I have made close to the same thing something called strawberry trifle. Are use diet white chocolate, putting whipped topping strawberries, and angel food cake. Each part is layered in a trifle bowl with the whip cream part B in the last layer and a couple strawberries put on top for garnish. It makes a gorgeous, trifle and taste wonderful. So close to the same as yours only missing the mini marshmallows. Also makes it a diabetic dessert because of using the diet pudding and does not change the flavor because it is already sweet.
Kimberly
I couldn’t find the strawberry pudding, so I use cheesecake pudding instead. Loved it!
Joni
I absolutely loved this!!! I ate half the bowl myself. I had to save some for everyone else. Will definitely make again.
stefanie
Really good! Thanks for the sub on the strawberry pudding. Yummy and easy and a little different than the usual.
Al
Just to add to the time restraints on eating this fluff: I think that it could easily be thrown into a smoothie if it wasn't quite as delicious or texturally awesome the next day. It would still be fresh and fine to use that way.
Jocelyn
That's a great idea for using it up when it starts to soften.
CAROL BLOSSER
CAN I ADD SUGAR TO STRAWBERRIES. I LIKE SWEET STRAWBERRIES…
Jocelyn
This fluff salad is actually quite sweet, so I would personally not add any additional sugar to the strawberries. Plus, adding sugar to the berries will cause them to get juicy, and the extra liquid would make the fluff salad get wet and mushy.
Tammy
Just made a triple batch today using white chocolate pudding. This is a family favorite! Today I added blueberries and strawberries for a festive treat.
Jocelyn
I am so glad you are enjoying the fluff! It's a favorite here too! Love the fun 4th of July twist you did for today!
Darrell
I can NOT find 'strawberry pudding' - I'm located in the middle of the state of Iowa. Suggestions please.
Thank you
Jocelyn
The "notes" section of the recipe card has some ideas for anyone who cannot find the strawberry pudding. I hope that helps and you are able to make the fluff salad.
Carrie
I am trying this recipe for our 4th of July get together. I was wondering if this was something I could make ahead? (Day before) I was afraid it would get soggy. Thanks and we can’t wait to try.
Jocelyn
It is ok if you make it one day ahead of time, but I would personally make it day of and let it sit in the fridge a few hours before serving. I hope you enjoy it.
shawnna
hey girl- love the post! so cool! This fluff salad looks so yummy!
Teri Martin
I just thought of something when I read about you saying if someone can't find strawberry pudding , use vanilla pudding. Well, I think to get that good strawberry flavor , mix some Nestle's strawberry quick into the milk before adding to the instant pudding. Just a thought.
Jocelyn
That's an awesome idea to get the strawberry flavor!!!!