🍒 Cherry Delight Recipe Is My Make-Ahead Dessert
This cherry delight recipe is a yummy dessert I like to bring to church potlucks or supper clubs. It’s easy to make ahead and travels well, making it one of my go-to recipes when I need a dessert everyone likes without much fuss. No oven. No last-minute stress. Just a cool, creamy slice that sets up well and tastes great every time.
The layers are simple: graham cracker crust, smooth cream cheese filling, and canned cherry pie filling. Once it’s in the fridge, it’s done, and that’s what makes it truly make-ahead friendly.
I took this to a church potluck and couldn’t get any; it was gone!
—Frances
Key Ingredients
Here’s a quick overview of the key ingredients for this recipe. For the full list of ingredients and exact measurements, jump to the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
- Cinnamon Sugar Graham Crackers: These are what I usually use for the crust, but plain or honey grahams work the same. You’re looking for fine crumbs.
- Butter: Melted butter brings the crust together. Use regular salted butter.
- Powdered Sugar: This keeps the filling smooth. It’s divided, so measure it out before you start.
- Cream Cheese: One full 8-ounce block, softened until very smooth. Cold cream cheese makes mixing harder. Keep it full-fat for the best texture. If you need a quick refresher, How To Soften Cream Cheese: Foolproof Tips and Tricks makes it easy.
- Whipped Topping: Thawed frozen whipped topping works best here. Cool Whip or store brand is fine.
- Cherry Pie Filling: One standard can. Stir it gently before using, so it spreads evenly.
Smart Substitutions
- You can swap the cherry pie filling for blueberry, strawberry, or raspberry.
How To Make Cherry Delight Recipe
This is a no-bake dessert you build in layers, then chill until it’s set.
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Tip: ❄️ Refrigerate for at least 2 hours before slicing and serving. For the cleanest slices, chill overnight and use a spatula to lift each piece from the pan after cutting.
Variations and Recipe Tips
This works well as bars in a 9×13 pan for crowds.
A pie crust and pie pan can be used if you prefer a pie-style presentation. If you want another easy, no-bake “slice-and-serve” pie for your back pocket, Millionaire Pie Recipe (Easy No-Bake) is a great one to tuck away.
This dessert holds its shape best if its chilled over night.
Cherry Delight Is A No Stress On The Hostess Dessert
If inviting people over makes you feel like you have to “pull it together,” let this cherry delight recipe help you out. It’s perfect because it’s no-bake, and you can make it the doy before. It’s a real treat that everyone will enjoy and be impressed with.
Lean into a cozy, low-key night where dinner is simple and dessert feels like a little bonus. Make something easy like Hamburger and Hash Brown Casserole Without Canned Soup or Creamy Crockpot Chicken With Ranch, and add Roasted Brussel Sprouts and Sweet Potatoes (Easy Oven Recipe as a simple side dish. Then bring out the cherry delight recipe cold from the fridge when you’re ready.
It’s the kind of dessert that makes people smile because they recognize it, and it gives everyone a reason to sit for a few more minutes and talk.
If you need a cool and creamy dessert that tastes rich and feeds a crowd, this cherry delight recipe is easy to count on. If you have any questions about making this recipe, feel free to ask in the comments below. I’m here to help! You can also snap a photo and tag @intentionalhospitality on Instagram.💛 I love seeing your creations!
Cherry Delight Recipe: Easy No-Bake Dessert
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Ingredients
- 14 cinnamon sugar graham crackers, enough to make 2 cups of crumbs
- 1/2 cup butter
- 1 1/4 cup powdered sugar, devided into 1 cup and ¼ cup
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 8 oz whipped topping, Cool Whip or store brand, frozen whipped topping, thawed
- 21 oz cherry pie filling, can
Instructions
Crust
- Place the graham crackers in a gallon-size ziplock bag. Seal the bag and crush the crackers with a rolling pin or your hands until you have fine rumbs.14 cinnamon sugar graham crackers
- Melt the butter in the microwave, being careful not to overheat it.1/2 cup butter
- In a medium-sized bowl, combine the graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, and 1/4 cup powdered sugar. Stir well with a large spoon until thoroughly mixed.1 1/4 cup powdered sugar
- Press the graham cracker mixture evenly into the bottom of a 9×13-inch dish to form a thin crust layer.
Filling
- Place the unwrapped block of cream cheese in a medium-sized microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on medium power for 30-40 seconds, checking and stirring at 20-second intervals until very soft but not warm.8 oz cream cheese
- In a medium-sized bowl, use a hand mixer to beat the softened cream cheese and 1 cup of powdered sugar together until smooth and creamy. I like to stir it a bit with the beaters before turning it on to avoid a powder-sugar mess. Then turn to low until smooth. Then turn the mixer on high and beat for 60 seconds.1 1/4 cup powdered sugar
- Add the thawed whipped topping to the bowl.8 oz whipped topping
- Set the mixer to high and whip until the mixture is well combined and fluffy.
- Spread the cream cheese mixture evenly over the graham cracker crust.
Add Topping and Chill
- Spoon the cherry pie filling over the cream cheese layer.21 oz cherry pie filling
- Gently spread the pie filling with a spatula to cover the entire surface.
- Using your fingers, move the cherries around so they evenly cover the dish.
- Refrigerate the dessert for at least 2 hours before serving to allow it to set.
- Slice into squares to serve, using a spatula to remove it from the dish.
Gina’s Notes and Tips
Storage
- Refrigerator: Cover tightly and store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Freezing: Freezing is possible, but the texture softens once thawed. For best results, freeze without the cherry topping and add it after thawing.
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I have made a pie in this manner before. I am wondering why you don’t bake the crust first.
Hey Karen, This is a no bake dessert so that it is easy and quick to make. There are no ingredients in the crust that need to be baked such as eggs. The melted butter combined with sugar and gram crackers forms a nice hard crust when pressed in the pan and chilled together. The crust is similar to the already made crust in aluminum pans you can buy in the baking aisle of your grocery store.
I took this to a church potluck and couldn’t get any; it was gone!
I love this! Frances, I put your review comment in the top of the post as a star review. It’s a doozy of a complement. :)
This is very much like my mom’s recipe!! We have been eating this dessert since I was a kid for Christmas Day dessert. When mom passed, I was in charge of this tradition. I’m going to try this recipe and see if anyone notices.
Shellie, Thanks for sharing about y’alls Christmas Day dessert tradition. I made you a recipe card with a Christmas theme for this Cherry Delight recipe. I will email you a pdf printable copy. Hope it measures up to your moms!
In one part of the scenario you mention dividing the cream cheese block into 1 cup and 1/4 cup portions. In the true recipe, it is the powdered sugar that is divided into these proportions.
Needed to proofread all parts of the article.
Cyndy, thank you, thank you! I went in and changed the text to make it correct. I appreciate you telling me.