Cherry Delight - a dessert that's always a hit at parties and get-togethers. No-bake cheesecake layer topped with cherry pie filling makes this an irresistible treat!
If you love creamy no-bake desserts, you should try my No-Bake Pumpkin Pie. Serve it for the holidays, along with cookies, like my Red Velvet Crinkle Cookies.
CHERRY DELIGHT
I am so excited to finally share this recipe on the blog! It is a family recipe and a dessert we always look forward to during holidays. It's super easy to make, requires no baking (although I did bake the crust to set it even more) and looks so festive! My Husband's Grandmother used to make this dessert for holidays. I never had a chance to meet her but I always think of her when this treat appears on the holiday table. My brother-in-law took over the tradition of making the Cherry Delight.
Ingredients Needed:
- graham crackers
- butter
- sugar
- cream cheese
- whipped topping
- powdered sugar
- vanilla extract
- cherry pie filling
HOW TO MAKE CHERRY DELIGHT?
-
Line a 13" x 9" pan with aluminum foil.
-
In a large mixing bowl, stir together cracker crumbs, sugar and melted butter. Press into the bottom of the pan.
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To prebake the crust (it makes it sturdier): bake for 10 minutes at 375 degrees F. Cool completely before adding the filling layer.
-
In a large mixing bowl, mix cream cheese with an electric mixer until smooth. Add vanilla and powdered sugar and mix well about 2 minutes. Add whipped topping in two additions, mix just until combined. Do not overmix. Spread the filling over the crust.
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Refrigerate until set, at least 2 hours or overnight. Cut the dessert into squares. Top with filling just before serving.
-
Refrigerate leftovers.
WHAT IS CHERRY DELIGHT?
Cherry Delight - the name says it all! This dessert is sweet, creamy and absolutely delightful! It's bound to become a hit this holiday season. Actually, it's perfect for summer parties too, when you need a no-bake dessert or any get-togethers!
The graham crust can be made with graham crackers. The creamy layer is a no-bake cheesecake layer that requires only 4 ingredients mixed together. It will set and have a mousse like texture. The topping is our favorite pie filling: cherry. You can simply customize this dessert to your liking by using different cookies for the crust, adding different extract to the creamy filling and using your favorite pie filling.
Anyway, you make it, this dessert is made for sharing with your loved ones this holiday season and at any celebrations. Enjoy, my friends!
Related Recipes:
If you like this recipe and make it, snap a photo and share it on INSTAGRAM! Tag me @crunchycreamysweet so I can check it out and leave a comment! 😀
Cherry Delight Recipe
Ingredients
for the crust:
- 2 ½ cup graham cracker crumbs
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- ¾ cup melted butter
for the filling:
- 16 oz cream cheese 2 packages, softened
- 8 oz tub whipped topping I used Cool Whip
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
for the topping:
- 21 oz can cherry pie filling
Instructions
to make the crust:
- Line a 13" x 9" pan with aluminum foil.
- In a large mixing bowl, stir together cracker crumbs, sugar and melted butter.
- Press into the bottom of the pan.
- To prebake the crust (it makes it more sturdier): bake for 10 minutes at 375 degree F. Cool completely before adding the filling layer.
to make the filling:
- In a large mixing bowl, mix cream cheese with an electric mixer until smooth.
- Add vanilla and powdered sugar and mix well, about 2 minutes.
- Add whipped topping in two additions, mix just until combined.
- Do not overmix.
- Spread the filling over the crust.
- Refrigerate until set, at least 2 hours or overnight.
to serve:
- Cut the dessert into squares. Top with filling just before serving.
- Refrigerate leftovers.
Notes
- The total time includes the chilling time. Pre-baking the crust is optional but recommended.
- Please note, that the nutrition value can vary depending on what product you use. The information below is an estimate. Always use calorie counter you are familiar with.
Debbie says
Why do you line the pan with aluminum foil? Is it necessary to do it?
Deb says
My daughter made this for Easter, only sugar free, very easy and yummy!!,
Anna says
That's wonderful! Thank you, Deb!
Robbin says
I had this at a potluck and got the recipe. Now I make it occasionally and we eat it up!
Heather says
Our family has made this for years. But I don't care for cherries, so I would move them to another slice. Now when I make it, I use strawberry filling or black raspberry filling.
Anna says
Thank you, Heather!
Jane says
Really easy to fix and tastes great
Nancy says
I made this for a potluck. It was delicious! I just made another one for a family Christmas. I love how the crust is firm . Best cherry delight I ever had! Definitely 5 stars
Lynne Hodges says
Is the 3/4 cup measure for the butter measured before or after the butter is melted?
Anna says
Hi Lynne! It's measured before melting. I hope this helps!
Donna says
Made this dessert 50+ years ago in home ec class. This was a favorite of everyone in the class. I continued to make it many years running. I stopped making it, I guess, when most everyone tired of it.
Guess what!?? IT IS TIME TO CRUMB ME SOME GRAHAM CRACKERS!
Anna says
Yay! I am so excited for you to make it! Thank you, Donna!
kevin quiring says
i remember every christmas we would make this and now im gonna make it for my speech class
Anna says
Sounds great! Thanks, Kevin!
Yvonne Woodruff says
Why do you line the pan with foil...?
Agnes says
Last time I made this I used 2 8x8 square pans then that way I could put cherry pie filling on one and Saskatoon pie filling on the other.
Brenda says
Made the cherry delight today for a family dinner tomorrow . I liked the filling but tweaked it with 2 Tbsp of lemon juice. Love the flavour. Great dessert.
carol hether says
I have a very similar recipe that uses dream whip instead of cool whip and doesn't bake the crust. It was from a neighbor of my MIL at my wedding shower 33 years ago. My kids have always loved that recipe but I decided to try yours this year for our Thanksgiving (Canadian), and we all loved it. I especially liked how the crust stayed together and the filling was a little firmer, so this may now be a new family favorite.To any other Canadian trying this..... I bought the 1 liter size and used about 3/4 of it. I also forgot to thaw it out and it worked just fine.
Thanks for posting this!
Lisa G says
Could you please share your original recipe it sounds like the one that my mom used to make? She used dream whip, cream cheese & lemon juice.
Cynthia Kinsella says
I have been looking for this recipe for the longest time . A lady I babysat for gave it to me over 30 yrs ago . Would you please share it with me also
Jess says
Hi just curious - I live in Canada and out cool whip is sold in 1 litre tubs. Is the 8oz the same size? I assume it's by weight not volume. 1 litre is half a large bottle of soda.
Jess says
So, I didn't put this in a 13x9 inch pan (my sister got me a pretty new ceramic pie plate I've been dying to use), I made it into a couple pies. The cherry one is currently setting up in the fridge...the remainder was tossed into a pie pan to eat without any topping. It is currently half gone...my 1 1/2 year old daughter, my labrador, and myself had ourselves a little after nap snack 🙂 HOLY MOLEY, this stuff is the bomb!! Thank you Anna, and a shout out to Pinterest too!
CrunchyCreamySw says
Hi Jess! I love it!!! So glad you guys are enjoying it! 🙂 Thank you so much for the comment!
Erin says
I love how simple this is! I don't know how baking-able your brother-in-law is but this is a typical boy recipe in my family. 😉
The pictures are gorgeous, too! Love the droopiness of the cherry filling. 🙂
Stacy | Wicked Good Kitchen says
Finally catching up on your blog, girl! My hubby's aunt always made this for get togethers and picnics. She used the Pretzel Jello Salad recipe and tweaked it with a graham cracker crust and cherry pie filling too! Gorgeous photos. I've already pinned this dessert, but will pin again! Thanks for sharing!
Colette says
My mom makes something so similar! Family recipes are always the best, especially those that span generations. I'm going to make this b/c I can't stand just looking at the pics!
CrunchyCreamySw says
I love it! Thanks, Colette!
Jennie @themessybakerblog says
I need this on my holiday table. Pinned!
CrunchyCreamySw says
Thanks, Jennie! xo
Valerie says
This makes me think of my childhood! When we first moved to the States, my mom taught French to a few women once a week - one of the ladies always brought a dessert very similar to this! Only good memories...thanks for the recipe! 🙂
CrunchyCreamySw says
I have been getting emails from people saying the same thing - good memories! Thank you for sharing yours, Valerie!
Curry and Comfort says
This is my go to dessert all year round!! I love the stuff...especially since it's a no bake and I'm not the greatest baker. LOL! 🙂
CrunchyCreamySw says
How fun!! PS: I saw your baked goods posts before - you are great! xoxo