This old fashioned cherry delight recipe is the perfect party dessert to bring to a potluck. Buttery graham cracker crust is topped with a cool and creamy cream cheese layer and topped with a pretty red cherry pie filling.
PREP TIME 15 minutesminutes
CHILL TIME 2 hourshours45 minutesminutes
TOTAL TIME 3 hourshours
YIELD 12servings
Ingredients
2cupsgraham cracker crumbsfrom about 15 crackers
8tablespoons(1 stick) buttermelted
1/4cupsugar
1/2teaspoonsalt
1/2cupheavy whipping cream
2(8 oz) bricks of cream cheesesoftened
1/2cupsour cream
1cuppowdered sugar
1teaspoonvanilla
1 - 2(21 oz) cans of cherry pie fillinguse 1 can for a thinner topping with a pretty white border, use 2 cans for a thick cherry topping that easily spreads from edge to edge
Instructions
Prepare the Graham Cracker Crust:
Preheat the oven to 350°F. Set out a 9x13-inch baking dish.
Add the crushed graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, sugar, and salt to a large mixing bowl and stir them together until well combined. Firmly press the mixture into the bottom of the baking dish to form the crust. You may wish to use the bottom of a measuring cup or a flat spatula to get the crust nice and even.
Bake the prepared crust for 12 - 14 minutes or until golden brown. Set aside to cool completely, about 45 minutes.
NOTE: Baking the graham cracker crust is optional. It does give a nice flavor and texture, but you could also choose to chill it in the fridge for 1 hour before using for a truly no bake dessert.
Prepare the Cream Cheese Layer:
Whip the heavy cream in a mixing bowl with an electric mixer on medium-high speed until stiff peaks form, about 1 minute.
In a separate mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese and sour cream together on medium speed until well combined. Add the powdered sugar and vanilla and beat them in. Continue to mix the cream cheese until it becomes light and fluffy, about 2 minutes.
Add half of the prepared whipped cream to the cream cheese bowl and gently fold it in. Repeat with the remaining half of whipped cream. This helps ensure your cream cheese layer is nice and airy.
Spoon the cream cheese over the prepared graham cracker crust. Use a spatula to spread it out evenly.
Top the cream cheese with the cans of cherry pie filling, spread it out evenly.
Cover and chill the cherry delight dessert for 2 hours or until firm. This dessert tastes even better the next day so make it the day ahead if you can!