With a graham cracker crumble crust, sweet cream center, and cherry pie filling top, this classic Cherry Delight recipe is a party staple!
Our kids LOVE this Cherry Delight dessert! Some eat it civilized with all three layers to each forkful; others piece each layer apart one by one, and then some of our kids insist it’s better stirred together like ice cream! I guess this is a dessert for every kid. LOL! It doesn’t matter how it’s enjoyed; this classic dessert has been in our family for as long as I can remember, and I don’t see it going anywhere soon. This cherry dessert is simple enough for kids to enjoy while having a richness that even adults can savor!
Cherry Delight is a classic summertime dessert that is enjoyed by all. Its crunchy crumble crust, smooth filling, and fun cherry topping are a flavorful combination perfect for BBQs, potlucks, and holiday parties.
How to Make a 9×13-inch Cherry Delight
Cherry Delight is a no-bake beginner recipe. It comes together in 20 minutes, and waiting for it to chill and set is the hardest part! This old-fashioned dessert is worth the wait. It has it all: the crunch, the cream, and some sweetness!
Ingredients for Easy Cherry Delight
- 1/2 cup butter, 1 stick, melted
- 2 1/2 cup of graham crackers, finely crushed
- This is roughly 2 sleeves or 18 full crackers of graham crackers finely crushed.
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 16 ounces cream cheese, softened, 2 packages
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 12 ounces Cool Whip or other whipped topping, 1 1/2 tubs, thawed!
- The whipped topping must be thawed, or it will condense into a wet ball when it’s mixed. Trust me, this is not a problem you want to have, and it’s a sad waste of yummy food!
- 42 ounces cherry pie filling, 2 – 21 ounce containers
Instructions for Cherry Delight
For the Crust: In a medium mixing bowl, combine the melted butter, crushed graham crackers, and sugar into a crumble. Then, using the back of a spatula or your fingers, tightly press the crumble into the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish.
For the Middle: In a medium mixing bowl with a hand-held mixer, cream together the two blocks of cream cheese until fluffy and smooth. Then, blend in the powdered sugar and vanilla extract. Finally, gently fold in the 12 ounces of Cool Whip until well incorporated. Dollop the mixture on the crust and carefully evenly spread it out.
For the Topping: Dollop on the cherry pie filling across the middle cream cheese layer. Then, spread it out, being careful not to mix the two layers.
Cover and chill the cherry delight in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours or overnight. Then cut, serve chilled, and enjoy!
Tips for the BEST Cherry Delight
Chilling: This dessert must be chilled to set, or it will not keep its shape. The longer it chills in the refrigerator, the more the texture and flavors will improve!
Crust: Crush the graham crackers finely. This will make it easier to press in the crust and cut the dessert in the end. Use a food processor or blender(in small batches) to crush the graham crackers.
Topping: While this cherry delight dessert gets its name from its cherry pie filling topping, it is equally good with most pie fillings. Try using strawberry or blueberry pie filling, too.
A Make Ahead Dessert: Cherry Delight is a wonderful make-ahead dessert. This dessert can be made 24 hours in advance and keeps extremely well!
Storing Cherry Delight
Store the cherry delight covered in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days!
Other Recipes You Will Love!
This No-Bake Oreo Dessert recipe is another family favorite! It is rich and satisfying, thanks to layers of crushed Oreo cookies, whipped cream cheese, chocolate pudding, refreshing Cool Whip, and a sprinkle of more Oreo crumbs. It is perfect for hot summer gatherings like camping and swimming parties!
Skillet Apples are wonderfully easy and delicious. They’re tender, sweet, cinnamon-sugar-coated apples! Perfect for pie filling or as a warm side, they’re the BEST way to use up any extra apples!
Sheet pan meals are the best! They are full of flavor and not full of dishes! This Sheet Pan Sausage and Peppers recipe is Italian sausage paired with sliced bell peppers, onions, and sweet cherry tomatoes, all coated in a homemade marinade.
Cherry Delight
Ingredients
- ½ cup butter, 1 stick melted
- 2½ cups graham crackers finely crushed
- ¼ cup sugar
- 16 ounces cream cheese softened to room temperature
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 12 ounces Cool Whip or other whipped topping thawed!
- 42 ounces cherry pie filling 2-21 ounce cans
Instructions
- For the Crust: In a medium mixing bowl, combine the melted butter, crushed graham crackers, and sugar into a crumble. Then, using the back of a spatula or your fingers, tightly press the crumble into the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- For the Middle: In a medium mixing bowl with a hand-held mixer, cream together the two blocks of cream cheese until fluffy and smooth. Then, blend in the powdered sugar and vanilla extract. Finally, gently fold in the 12 ounces of Cool Whip until well incorporated. Dollop the mixture on the crust and carefully evenly spread it out.
- For the Topping: Dollop on the cherry pie filling across the middle cream cheese layer. Then, spread it out, being careful not to mix the two layers.Chill the cherry delight covered for at least 2 hours in the refrigerator or overnight. Then cut, serve chilled, and enjoy!
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