Name: Cherry Delight Dessert: Creamy, No-Bake, Crowd-Pleasing Classic
Prep time: 15 min
Total time: 255 min
Ingredients: 2½ cups graham cracker crumbs; ½ cup melted butter; ¼ cup granulated sugar; 16 oz cream cheese (softened); 1½ cups powdered sugar; 1 tsp vanilla; 8 oz Cool Whip (thawed); 2 cans (21 oz each cherry pie filling)

Introduction

Table of Contents

Cherry Delight is the ultimate retro no-bake dessert: a buttery graham cracker crust, a cloud-like cream cheese layer, and a glossy crown of cherry pie filling that tastes like pure childhood happiness. Zero oven time, 15 minutes of work, and it feeds a crowd with zero effort. Presented in a white 9×13 ceramic dish cut into perfect squares, optionally garnished with whipped cream rosettes, this Cherry Delight offers nostalgic pink-and-white perfection that disappears the second you set it down.

Ingredients

For the Graham Cracker Crust: • 2½ cups graham cracker crumbs (about 18 full sheets)
• ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
• ¼ cup granulated sugar

For the Cream Cheese Layer: • 16 oz (two 8-oz blocks) full-fat cream cheese, softened
• 1½ cups powdered sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 8 oz Cool Whip, thawed (or 3 cups freshly whipped cream)

Topping: • 2 (21 oz each) cans cherry pie filling (Comstock or Duncan Hines preferred)

Serving: • Extra whipped cream and maraschino cherries (optional)

Step-by-Step Process

Make the crust
Mix graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, and sugar until it looks like wet sand. Press firmly and evenly into a 9×13 dish. Chill while you make the filling.
Beat the cream cheese
In a large bowl, beat softened cream cheese until smooth (no lumps). Add powdered sugar and vanilla; beat until fluffy.
Fold in the whipped topping
Gently fold in Cool Whip with a spatula until completely smooth and light.
Spread the filling
Dollop cream cheese mixture over chilled crust and spread into an even layer all the way to the edges.
Chill
Cover and refrigerate at least 4 hours (overnight is best).
Top with cherries
When ready to serve, spoon cherry pie filling evenly over the top.
Serve
Cut into squares and serve cold—perfectly chilled and set.

Tips for Perfect Cherry Delight

• Press crust firmly with a flat-bottomed glass—prevents crumbling
• Full-fat cream cheese is non-negotiable—low-fat turns watery
• Chill the crust first—helps it hold together when spreading filling
• Use Cool Whip for true retro flavor (or real whipped cream for homemade)
• Make 24–48 hours ahead—flavor and texture improve dramatically
• Run the knife under hot water for clean cuts

Variations and Customization

• Chocolate Cherry Delight: Use chocolate graham crackers for the crust
• Strawberry Delight: swap cherry for strawberry pie filling
• Pineapple Delight: Use crushed pineapple (well-drained) instead of cherries
• Lemon Delight: add lemon zest to cream layer + lemon pie filling
• Oreo Delight: Oreo cookie crust + cherries
• Boozy Version: add 1–2 tbsp cherry liqueur to cream layer

Storage and Serving Tips

• Keeps 5–7 days covered in fridge—perfect make-ahead dessert
• Freezes beautifully up to 2 months (freeze without cherries, add fresh when thawed)
• Thaw frozen slices 30 minutes at room temperature before serving
• Quick refresh: top with fresh whipped cream rosettes
• Store leftover cherry filling separately—prevents crust sogginess
• Serve ice-cold—texture is best straight from the fridge

Nutritional Information

Based on 15 servings:
• Calories: 380 kcal
• Total Fat: 22g (Saturated 13g)
• Carbohydrates: 44g (Sugars 34g)

FAQ

1. Can I use real whipped cream instead of Cool Whip?
Yes—whip 1½ cups heavy cream with ¼ cup powdered sugar to stiff peaks.

2. My crust is soggy—what went wrong?
You didn’t press firmly enough or added cherries too early. Chill the crust first and add cherries right before serving.

3. Can I make this a day ahead?
Yes—actually better 24–48 hours ahead (flavors meld perfectly).

4. How do I get clean slices?
Wipe the knife clean with a hot, wet towel between every cut.

5. Can I freeze Cherry Delight?
Yes—freeze without cherry topping. Add fresh cherries after thawing.

Conclusion

This Cherry Delight is pure no-bake nostalgia—creamy, dreamy, and so easy it feels like cheating. One bite and you’re eight years old at Grandma’s table again, sneaking extra squares when no one’s looking. Keep the ingredients in your pantry, and you’re always 15 minutes away from the coolest, creamiest, most crowd-pleasing dessert that ever graced a church potluck or backyard barbecue. Make it once, and it instantly becomes your signature “I brought dessert” that earns marriage proposals and empty pans every single time.