If you’re searching for a showstopping, crowd-pleasing dessert that’s incredibly easy to make, Cherry Delight is about to become your new best friend. Creamy, dreamy layers of sweetened cream cheese and pillowy whipped topping sit on a buttery graham cracker crust, all crowned with a vivid ruby-red blanket of juicy cherries. The best part? There’s no baking required, and you’ll only need a handful of simple ingredients to pull off this nostalgic, utterly irresistible Cherry Delight. If you love quick-prep treats that disappear in seconds at gatherings, this one’s a must-try!

Ingredients You’ll Need

This classic Cherry Delight is built on simple staples, each adding its own special magic to the finished dessert. From the crunchy graham cracker base to the luscious cherry topping, here’s how every ingredient shines in each bite.

Graham cracker crumbs: The key to that classic, slightly sweet crunch that anchors the creamy layers—feel free to crush your own or buy pre-crushed for convenience.
Unsalted butter, melted: This binds the graham cracker crust together and adds a wonderfully rich, buttery taste.
Granulated sugar: Just a touch in the crust brightens the flavor and makes the graham cracker layer slightly chewy.
Cream cheese, softened: The hero of the filling—smooth, tangy, and rich, it becomes beautifully fluffy when whipped with sugar.
Powdered sugar: Gives a perfectly sweet, silky finish to the cream cheese layer—no graininess here!
Whipped topping (such as Cool Whip): Lightens up the cream cheese filling, making it billowy and easy to spread.
Cherry pie filling: Bursts with juicy cherries and jewel-toned color—the signature top layer of any classic Cherry Delight.

How to Make Cherry Delight

Step 1: Make the Graham Cracker Crust

Start by mixing the graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, and granulated sugar in a medium bowl until everything is well combined. The crumbs should look like damp sand and hold together when pressed. Firmly press this mixture into the bottom of a 9×9-inch baking dish, creating an even, compact layer. For an extra touch of sturdiness and flavor, you can bake the crust at 350°F for about 8–10 minutes, but for a true no-bake Cherry Delight, chilling alone will do the trick.

Step 2: Prepare the Cream Cheese Filling

In a separate bowl, beat the softened cream cheese with the powdered sugar until the mixture is silky smooth and free from lumps. This is where your dessert gets its signature creamy tang! Once you’ve got a perfectly smooth base, gently fold in the whipped topping with a spatula—take care not to deflate it too much. The result is a cloud-like layer that spreads so easily over the crust.

Step 3: Assemble the Layers

Spread the cream cheese mixture evenly over the cooled graham cracker crust, smoothing the top with a spatula. Next comes the star of the show: carefully spoon the cherry pie filling over the cream cheese layer, spreading it all the way to the edges for that signature color and juicy fruit in every bite. Resist the urge to dig in—this needs some time in the fridge to set!

Step 4: Chill and Set

Place your assembled Cherry Delight in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours, or overnight if you have time. This chilling period lets the layers firm up so the dessert slices beautifully, and the flavors have a chance to meld. It’s worth the wait, I promise!

Step 5: Slice and Serve

When you’re ready to wow your guests (or just treat yourself), cut the Cherry Delight into squares with a sharp knife. Serve it cold for that irresistible creamy-cool bite and dazzling layers that never fail to impress.

How to Serve Cherry Delight

Garnishes

A little flourish goes a long way! Try a dollop of fresh whipped cream, a few extra maraschino cherries, or even a sprinkle of grated chocolate or sliced almonds on top. These simple garnishes bring just the right touch of elegance and crunch, spotlighting the cherry topping and making your Cherry Delight extra festive.

Side Dishes

Cherry Delight is rich and sweet, so pairing it with something light is always a hit. A fruit salad, a platter of fresh berries, or even a scoop of vanilla frozen yogurt balances out the flavors and adds freshness to your dessert spread. A cup of coffee or herbal tea is also the perfect match to round out the meal.

Creative Ways to Present

While Cherry Delight is beautiful served family-style in a square, you can switch up the presentation for special occasions! Spoon the layers into pretty glass jars or individual parfait glasses for an adorable single-serve treat, or use cookie cutters to shape the set dessert into hearts or stars for a themed celebration.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

One of the best things about Cherry Delight is how well it keeps! Simply cover the baking dish securely with plastic wrap or foil, or transfer individual servings to airtight containers. Stored in the fridge, the dessert will stay deliciously fresh for up to 4 days, making it ideal for both advance prep and late-night snack attacks.

Freezing

If you want to make Cherry Delight ahead even further, you can freeze the assembled dessert before adding the cherry topping. Wrap it tightly and freeze for up to a month. When ready to serve, thaw overnight in the refrigerator, spread on the cherry layer, and enjoy—the texture stays creamy and satisfying!

Reheating

There’s no need to reheat Cherry Delight, as it’s meant to be served chilled! In fact, serving it straight from the refrigerator is what delivers that perfect combination of cool, creamy, and sweet. If the crust feels extra firm from the cold, let the dessert sit at room temperature for ten minutes before slicing.

FAQs

Can I make Cherry Delight gluten-free?

Absolutely! Just swap in gluten-free graham crackers for the base. The rest of the ingredients are already gluten-free, so everyone at the table can dig in worry-free.

Can I use homemade cherry pie filling?

Yes! If you want a more homemade touch, whip up your own cherry pie filling with fresh or frozen cherries. Just be sure it’s fully cooled before layering to prevent melting your lovely cream cheese layer.

What can I use instead of whipped topping?

If you prefer homemade, use freshly whipped cream stabilized with a little extra powdered sugar. It delivers the same fluffy lift and works just as beautifully in the cream cheese mixture.

Can I swap out the cherry topping for something else?

Definitely. While cherries are the classic choice, blueberry, strawberry, or even peach pie filling make delicious seasonal twists. It’s a great way to personalize your Cherry Delight for different occasions.

How far ahead can I prepare Cherry Delight?

This dessert is actually better made ahead! You can assemble it up to a full day before serving. Simply wait to add any garnishes until just before bringing it to the table so everything looks fresh and vibrant.

Final Thoughts

This sweet, creamy Cherry Delight truly lives up to its name and is one of those recipes you’ll find yourself turning to for every season and every gathering. It’s unfussy, utterly delicious, and always gets heartfelt requests for seconds. Don’t wait to bring some retro joy to your own kitchen—gather your ingredients and let Cherry Delight spread a little happiness in your next dessert lineup!

Cherry Delight Recipe

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4.7 from 20 reviews

Author: admin
Total Time: 4 hours 20 minutes
Yield: 9 servings 1x
Diet: Non-Vegetarian

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Description

Cherry Delight is a luscious no-bake dessert featuring a buttery graham cracker crust, a creamy layer of sweetened cream cheese and whipped topping, topped with a generous spread of cherry pie filling. This delightful treat is perfect for any occasion and sure to impress your guests.

Ingredients

Scale

Graham Cracker Crust:

1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
1/4 cup granulated sugar

Cream Cheese Filling:

8 oz cream cheese, softened
1 cup powdered sugar
8 oz whipped topping (such as Cool Whip)

Topping:

1 can (21 oz) cherry pie filling

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Instructions

Graham Cracker Crust: In a medium bowl, combine graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, and granulated sugar. Press mixture firmly into a 9×9-inch baking dish.
Cream Cheese Filling: Beat cream cheese and powdered sugar until smooth. Fold in whipped topping. Spread mixture over crust.
Topping: Spoon cherry pie filling over cream cheese layer. Spread evenly.
Chill: Refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight until set. Cut into squares and serve cold.

Notes

For a firmer crust, bake at 350°F (175°C) for 8-10 minutes before adding the filling.
You can substitute blueberry or strawberry pie filling for a different flavor.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: No-Bake
Cuisine: American