Classic Cherry Delight Recipe - Gather in my Kitchen (2024)

Cherry Delight is a dessert that truly lives up to its name. This recipe combines a graham cracker crust, a creamy cheesecake-y filling made with Cool Whip, and a luscious cherry topping to create a dessert that's both delightful to look at and to eat.

Cherry Delight is the perfect easy dessert for any occasion.

With its graham cracker crust, creamy filling, and sweet cherry pie topping, it's guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser.

This retro recipe is a classic potluck and picnic dessert, thanks to how well it travels and feeds a group. But it's also special enough to serve at birthdays, holidays, or family gatherings year-round.

Cherry Delight comes together quickly, with just a bit of easy mixing and assembling required.

Classic Cherry Delight

Cherry Delight is a dessert that holds a special place in our hearts for many reasons.

• Simple no-bake preparation means no oven required, just easy mixing and assembly
• Versatile recipe works with any fruit pie filling depending on season or preference
• Potluck and party perfect - feeds a crowd
• Festive red and white layered look is perfect for holidays
• Kids love it!
• Guaranteed crowd-pleaser that's easy for even novice bakers to make

More Layered Dessert Recipes

Lemon Delight
Strawberry Pretzel Salad
No Bake Banana Split Cake
S'Mores Ice Box Cake
Peanut Butter Ice Box Cake

Ingredients for Cherry Delight

Graham crackers: . You can also experiment with other types of cookies for a different flavor profile.

Granulated sugar: You can adjust the amount to your liking.

Unsalted butter: Make sure it's melted so it combines well with the graham cracker crumbs.

Cream cheese: It's important that it's at room temperature so it blends smoothly with the other ingredients.

Powdered sugar: You can adjust the amount to your liking.

Vanilla extract: A little bit of vanilla enhances the flavors of the other ingredients.

Frozen whipped topping: This gives the filling a light, fluffy texture. Make sure it's thawed before using.

Cherry pie filling: This is the topping for the dessert. You can use homemade or store-bought, depending on your preference and time constraints.

How to Make Cherry Delight

Start by preparing your graham cracker crust. In a food processor, pulse the graham crackers with the sugar until you have fine crumbs. Add the melted butter and pulse again until all the crumbs are coated and the mixture resembles fine sand. Press this mixture into the bottom of your prepared baking dish to form an even, tight layer.

Next, prepare your filling. Beat the cream cheese with the powdered sugar and vanilla until the mixture is smooth. Then, fold in the thawed whipped topping until it's well blended. Spread this cream cheese mixture over the top of your graham cracker crust.

Finally, carefully spread the cherry pie filling over the top of the cream cheese layer. Once everything is assembled, refrigerate your dessert for at least 2 hours before serving. This allows the flavors to meld together and the dessert to firm up, making it easier to cut into servings.

Enjoy your Cherry Delight!

Tips for Making the Best Cherry Delight

• Crust Release: If you are having difficulty removing pieces, you can place the bottom of the pan (only the bottom) in a sink filled with hot water for about a minute.
• Use Cool Whip: For the best results, use Cool Whip for the creamy layer.
• Make Ahead: Cherry Delight is a great dessert to make ahead of time.
• Chill Time: Make sure to refrigerate the dessert for at least a few hours before serving. This allows the layers to set properly and makes it easier to cut into neat squares.

Leftovers

Leftover Cherry Delight can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.

Make sure to cover it tightly with plastic wrap.

If you have a large amount of leftovers, you might consider portioning them into individual servings for easy grab-and-go desserts throughout the week.