Sarah Jenkins - Home Baking Enthusiast
👨‍🍳 Easy Dessert Expert

Recipe by Mitchell

🎓 Busy Mom's Kitchen ⏰ Potluck Favorite Maker 🍽️ No-Bake Specialist

❤️ My Recipe Story

"My grandmother used to bring this dessert to every family gathering, and it was always the first thing to disappear. The combination of textures and flavors is pure comfort. I love that it requires zero bake time, making it a stress-free option for busy days."

Sarah loves creating simple, crowd-pleasing recipes that don't require spending hours in the kitchen. Her focus is on approachable, delicious treats that anyone can master.

View All Mitchell's Recipes →
A slice of layered cherry delight dessert on a white plate, showing the graham cracker crust, white cream cheese filling, and cherry topping, garnished with a fresh cherry.

The Perfect No-Bake Crust

A good Cherry Delight starts with a solid foundation. The graham cracker crust should be firm enough to hold the layers but tender enough to cut easily. The key is the right ratio of butter to crumbs, ensuring every crumb is coated so it sets properly when chilled.

Pressing the mixture firmly into the pan is crucial. Use the bottom of a measuring cup or a glass to pack it down tightly and evenly. A quick stint in the freezer helps it set up faster, preventing it from mixing with the creamy layer above.

💡 Professional Tip

For an extra depth of flavor, bake the crust at 350°F for 8-10 minutes and let it cool completely before adding the filling. This toasts the graham crackers and gives the crust a nuttier taste.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, you can. Whip 1 1/2 cups of heavy whipping cream with 1/4 cup of powdered sugar and a teaspoon of vanilla until stiff peaks form. Gently fold this into the sweetened cream cheese mixture. Note that homemade whipped cream may not hold up as long in the fridge as stabilized whipped topping.

It needs at least 4 hours in the refrigerator to set properly so you can cut nice, clean slices. For the best results, make it the night before and let it chill overnight.

Absolutely! This recipe is very versatile. You can substitute the cherry pie filling with blueberry, strawberry, raspberry, or even peach pie filling. The base recipe works beautifully with almost any fruit flavor.

Yes. A crust made from crushed vanilla wafers, Golden Oreos, or even pretzels (for a salty-sweet twist) would work well. Just keep the butter and sugar ratios roughly the same.

This usually happens if the cream cheese wasn't softened enough before mixing. Make sure your cream cheese is completely at room temperature to ensure a silky, smooth filling without any lumps.

Cover any leftovers tightly with plastic wrap or transfer them to an airtight container and store them in the refrigerator. The dessert will keep well for up to 3-4 days.

It is not recommended to freeze the fully assembled dessert, as the texture of the cream cheese layer and the cherry topping can change and become watery upon thawing. The crust, however, can be made ahead and frozen.

Yes, you can, but the layers will be much thinner. For a 9x13 pan, you might want to increase the crust and filling ingredients by about 50% (e.g., use 1.5 blocks of cream cheese and 12 oz of whipped topping) to maintain nice, thick layers.

Recipe Troubleshooting Guide

✅

Soggy Crust

Problem: The graham cracker crust is wet and falls apart.

Solution: Ensure the crust is packed firmly and chilled thoroughly before adding the filling. Do not add the filling if it's warm. If using fresh fruit instead of pie filling, make sure it's well-drained.

✅

Runny Filling

Problem: The cream cheese layer is too soft and doesn't hold its shape.

Solution: Make sure to use full-fat block cream cheese, not tub style. Do not overmix after adding the whipped topping, as this can deflate it. Ensure the dessert is chilled for the full recommended time.

✅

Filling Not Sweet Enough

Problem: The cream cheese layer tastes too tangy.

Prevention: Taste the cream cheese and sugar mixture before adding the whipped topping. You can add a little more powdered sugar, one tablespoon at a time, until it reaches your desired sweetness.

✅

Cherry Topping Sinking

Problem: The cherries are sinking into the white layer.

Recovery: Ensure the cream cheese layer is spread evenly to the edges, creating a seal. Be gentle when spooning the topping over the white layer. The dessert should be well-chilled.

✅

Crust Too Hard

Problem: The crust is difficult to cut through.

Prevention: You may have used too much butter, or packed it down too aggressively. Try using slightly less butter next time and press firmly but not with excessive force.

✅

Flavor Variations

Too Sweet: Drizzle chocolate sauce or caramel over the top before serving.

Too Salty: Use a crushed pretzel crust instead of graham crackers.

Bland: Add a teaspoon of lemon juice or almond extract to the cream cheese filling for a flavor boost.

Ingredients for Cherry Delight dessert including graham crackers, butter, cream cheese, whipped topping, and cherry pie filling arranged on a kitchen counter.

The Creamy Center

The middle layer is the heart of this dessert. It's a simple, fluffy combination of cream cheese, powdered sugar, and whipped topping. Using block-style cream cheese is essential for the right texture; tub cream cheese is too soft and has a higher water content.

Folding in the whipped topping is a crucial step. You want to incorporate it gently to keep the mixture light and airy. Using a spatula and a folding motion—cutting down through the middle and turning the mixture over—prevents knocking out the air bubbles that give the filling its delightful fluffiness.

Essential Ingredient Notes

  • Cream Cheese: Always use full-fat, brick-style cream cheese that has been completely softened to room temperature for a lump-free filling.
  • Whipped Topping: Thaw frozen whipped topping (like Cool Whip) in the refrigerator beforehand. Do not try to microwave it to thaw, as it will become runny.
  • Cherry Pie Filling: Use a high-quality canned pie filling for the best flavor and a good ratio of whole cherries to sauce. You can also make your own if you prefer.
A hand using a spatula to spread the white cream cheese filling over the graham cracker crust in a glass dish.

Assembly and Chilling

Layering this dessert is a breeze. Once the crust is set, the fluffy cream cheese mixture is spread on top. An offset spatula is the best tool for getting an even, smooth layer right to the corners of the dish.

The final step is spooning on the ruby-red cherry topping. The most difficult part of this recipe is waiting for it to chill! A minimum of four hours is necessary for the layers to firm up together, allowing you to slice perfectly neat squares that show off the beautiful layers.

The Gentle Fold

Use a rubber spatula to gently fold the whipped topping into the sweetened cream cheese. Cut through the center, scrape along the bottom and up the side, then fold over the top. Rotate the bowl and repeat until just combined. This preserves the airiness.

Classic No-Bake Cherry Delight Dessert

Prep 20 min
Cook 0 min (Chilling time: 4+ hours)
Serves 12 servings
Level Easy

📋 Ingredients

For the Crust

  • 1 (8 oz) block Cream Cheese
    Softened to room temperature
  • 1 cup Powdered Sugar
    Sifted if lumpy
  • 1 tsp Vanilla Extract
    Adds flavor
  • 1 (8 oz) tub Whipped Topping
    Thawed (e.g., Cool Whip)
  • 1 (21 oz) can Cherry Pie Filling
    Your favorite brand

For the Filling & Topping

  • 1 1/2 cups Graham Cracker Crumbs
    About 10-12 full sheets
  • 1/3 cup Butter, melted
    Unsalted works best
  • 1/4 cup Granulated Sugar
    Sweetens the crust

Instructions

  1. Make the Crust

    In a medium bowl, combine graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, and granulated sugar. Mix until the crumbs are evenly moistened. Press the mixture firmly into the bottom of a 9x9-inch (or 7x11-inch) baking dish. Place in the freezer for 10 minutes to set while you prepare the filling.

  2. Prepare the Filling

    In a large bowl, use a hand mixer to beat the softened cream cheese until smooth and creamy. Gradually add the powdered sugar and vanilla extract, beating until well combined and fluffy.

  3. Fold in Whipped Topping

    Gently fold in the thawed whipped topping with a spatula until the mixture is smooth and uniform in color. Be careful not to deflate the mixture.

  4. Assemble the Layers

    Remove the crust from the freezer. Spread the cream cheese mixture evenly over the crust, smoothing the top with a spatula.

  5. Add Cherry Topping

    Spoon the cherry pie filling evenly over the cream cheese layer, spreading it gently to cover the surface.

  6. Chill and Serve

    Cover the dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or overnight, to allow the dessert to set completely. Before serving, garnish with fresh cherries and thyme sprigs if desired. Slice into squares to serve.

Recipe Notes & Tips

Make Ahead

This dessert is perfect for making ahead of time. Prepare it completely the day before you plan to serve it and let it chill overnight in the refrigerator. It tastes even better after the flavors have had time to meld.

Serving

For clean slices, wipe your knife with a damp, warm cloth between cuts. This dessert is best served chilled, straight from the refrigerator.

Variations

Switch up the flavors by using different pie fillings like blueberry, strawberry, or peach. You can also add 1/2 cup of chopped nuts, such as pecans or walnuts, to the crust mixture for added texture.