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Three easy layers, one sensational dessert – that's the magic of Cherry Delight! With the ease of store-bought ingredients combined with a touch of homemade flair, this Cherry Delight dessert is a creamy, sweet, and tart sensation that’s sure to become a family favorite.
The Magic Begins: Graham Cracker Crust
The foundation of our classic Cherry Delight is the buttery graham cracker crust. To get this right, you’ll need some graham crackers, melted butter, and a sprinkle of brown sugar. Crush those graham crackers in a food processor until they’re a fine crumb, or you can put them in a ziploc bag and use a rolling pin to crush them. Mix in the melted butter and brown sugar until the crumbs are well-coated and ready to form that delicious, crunchy base.
Press this mixture firmly into the bottom of the pan lined parchment paper. This ensures easy removal later on. Pop it in the fridge to set while you move on to the next layer.
The Heart of the Delight: Creamy Cheesecake Filling
Next comes the creamy cheesecake filling, the heart of our Cherry Delight dessert. For this, you’ll need cream cheese at room temperature, a cup of confectioners' sugar, cool whip, and a splash of vanilla extract. Using an electric mixer with a paddle attachment on medium speed beat the cream cheese until it’s smooth and fluffy. Gradually add in the confectioners' sugar, mixing until well combined.
In a separate large mixing bowl, fold the cool whip into the cream cheese mixture with a rubber spatula to create a light, fluffy filling. Spread this creamy filling over the chilled graham cracker crust, making sure to create an even layer. This is where the magic of no-bake desserts really shines – all the creamy, dreamy texture without heating up the kitchen on those hot summer days.
The Grand Finale: Cherry Topping
The cherry topping is the crowning glory of this classic cherry delight. Pour cherry pie filling over the cream cheese layer, spreading it out evenly. You can use a can of pie filling for convenience, but if you’re feeling ambitious, homemade cherry pie filling made from fresh cherries can take this dessert to the next level. The sweet-tart cherries provide a perfect contrast to the creamy cheesecake filling and the crunchy graham cracker crust.
Tips for Perfection
- Make-Ahead Magic: Letting the Cherry Delight set in the fridge for at least four hours, or even better, overnight, ensures the flavors meld beautifully, and the texture is spot-on.
- Serving Suggestions: This dessert is a showstopper for family reunions, Mother’s Day, Valentine's, or any holiday season gathering. It’s easy to transport and serves a crowd, making it an ideal choice for potlucks and buffets.
- Variations: While cherry is a classic, you can switch it up with blueberry pie filling or even a combination of fresh fruit for a unique twist. For a chocolate delight, add a layer of chocolate ganache between the crust and the cream cheese filling.
Storing Your Cherry Delight
Cherry Delight can be stored in the fridge in an airtight container or covered tightly with plastic wrap for up to five days. If you prefer to enjoy it as a chilled treat on hot summer months, you can freeze individual slices in an airtight container for up to three months. Just thaw in the fridge before serving.
The Irresistible Appeal
What makes Cherry Delight such an irresistible treat? It’s the harmonious blend of textures and flavors – the buttery graham cracker crust, the creamy, dreamy cheesecake filling, and the sweet-tart cherry topping. This decadent dessert is not just about indulgence; it’s about the joy of sharing a favorite dessert with loved ones, creating memories around the table.
Simple Ingredients, Spectacular Results
Despite its impressive appearance, this Cherry Delight is an easy dessert recipe. With simple ingredients like graham crackers, cream cheese, cool whip, and cherry pie filling, you can whip up a dessert that looks and tastes like it took hours to make.
So, whether it’s for a family reunion, a holiday season gathering, or a cozy Sunday supper, Cherry Delight is your go-to recipe. Sometimes, the simplest ingredients can create the most spectacular results. Enjoy the rich, creamy texture, the burst of cherry goodness, and the nostalgic flavors that make this dessert a true classic.
Ingredients Used for Cherry Delight Recipe
Filling
Additional Items
- Nonstick cooking spray
- Parchment paper (optional, for freezing and slicing)
Equipment Needed for Cherry Delight
- 8x8 inch baking dish
- Medium mixing bowl (for crust mixture)
- Large mixing bowl (for filling mixture)
- Mixer (hand or stand mixer with paddle attachment)
- Spoon or offset spatula (for spreading filling)
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Rubber spatula (for mixing and spreading)
- Knife (for slicing, if freezing for perfect slices)
- Plastic wrap (for covering and storing)
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More No-Bake Dessert Recipes
- Easy Fresh Strawberry Pie with Jell-O
- The Best Banana Pudding
- No-Bake Sweet & Salty Fritos Bars
- Frescas Con Crema (Strawberries & Cream)
Please let me know how this Cherry Delight turns out for you in the comments! I love hearing from you!
Classic No-Bake Cherry Delight
Equipment
Ingredients
Crust:
- 1 stick salted butter melted
- 1 ⅔ cups graham cracker crumbs about 10 whole crackers
- 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
Filling:
- 8 ounces cream cheese softened
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 container container cool whip (8 ounces)
- ⅛ teaspoon kosher salt
Topping:
- 1 can cherry pie filling (21 ounces)
Instructions
Crust:
- Spray a 8x8 inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray; set aside, or line with parchment paper if you plan to freeze and remove it from the dish and slice as in the notes.
- Add the butter to a medium bowl and microwave for 30 seconds or until melted.
- Add the graham cracker crumbs and sugar and mix well to combine.
- Pat the crumb mixture firmly into the bottom of a sprayed 8 x 8 baking dish.
- Refrigerate while making the filling.
Filling:
- Add the cream cheese to a large bowl.
- Mix with a mixer until the cream cheese of smooth and free of any lumps.
- With an offset spatula, spread the filling evenly over the graham cracker crust.
Topping:
- Spoon the cherry pie filling over the top and carefully spread it evenly over the filling.
- Refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving. (I like to leave it overnight.)
Notes
- Cover and refrigerate leftovers for up to 5 days.
- For perfect slices that are beautiful when served, i like to freeze it for about 2 hours , or until firm, and then remove it from the dish using the parchment paper overhang, and cut into perfect squares, wiping and cleaning my knife between cuts.
- Then place pieces on serving platter and gently cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until ready to serve.
Nutrition
*Nutrition information is automatically calculated based on ingredient data and should be considered an estimate. When multiple ingredient options are provided, the first listed is used for calculation. Optional ingredients and garnishes are not included in the nutrition analysis.
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