Sweet & Sassy No-Bake Cherry Recipe for Summer Joy

Summer’s sweetest dessert meets creamy indulgence in this no-bake cherry delight recipe that promises pure bliss with every spoonful.

Layers of velvety cream cheese, sweet graham crackers, and luscious cherry topping create a dessert that sings of effortless elegance.

Cool and refreshing, this treat requires zero oven time and minimal preparation.

The smooth, silky texture melts in your mouth, delivering a symphony of flavors that dance between tangy and sweet.

Whipped to perfection and chilled to crisp satisfaction, this dessert stands as a testament to simple yet remarkable culinary magic.

Grab a fork and dive into a dessert that turns ordinary moments into delectable memories.

Serve This No-Bake Treat at Picnics or Holidays

• Festive Party Platter: Create an elegant dessert spread by cutting the cherry delight into neat squares and arranging them on a decorative serving tray. Garnish with fresh mint leaves and a light dusting of powdered sugar for an extra touch of sophistication.
• Creamy Companion Pairings: Serve chilled alongside a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream to enhance the dessert's rich, smooth texture. A warm cup of coffee or sweet tea complements the cherry cheesecake's cool, tangy flavor profile.
• Seasonal Celebration Style: Elevate the dessert for summer gatherings by adding fresh cherry halves or sliced strawberries on top. Drizzle a light chocolate sauce or caramel for an indulgent twist that will make guests swoon with delight.
• Brunch Brilliant Twist: Transform the dessert into a morning treat by cutting smaller bite-sized portions perfect for brunch buffets. Pair with fresh fruit skewers or a light mimosa to create a stunning breakfast or brunch centerpiece.

Chill & Store Cherry the Right Way

• Chilled Dessert Strategy: Refrigerate the no-bake cherry delight for at least 3 hours before serving to ensure perfect texture and flavor melding. Keep the dessert covered with plastic wrap or aluminum foil to prevent absorption of other refrigerator odors.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare this dessert up to 2 days in advance for stress-free entertaining. The flavors will continue to develop, making it even more delicious as it sits in the refrigerator.
• Freezing Friendly: Slice the dessert into individual portions and wrap tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Frozen portions will keep well for up to 1 month. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before enjoying.
• Serving Smart: Remove the dessert from the refrigerator 10-15 minutes before serving to soften slightly. Use a sharp knife dipped in hot water for clean, precise slices that showcase the beautiful layers.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Cook Time:

Total Time: 30 minutes

Calories: 366 kcal

Servings: 9

Ingredients for No-Bake Cherry Bliss

• Graham Crackers: Crunchy base that provides a delightful texture and sweet foundation for the dessert.
• Butter: Helps bind the graham cracker crumbs together, creating a solid and flavorful crust.

• Cream Cheese: Delivers a rich, tangy flavor and creamy consistency to the dessert.
• Sugar: Balances the tanginess of cream cheese and adds sweetness to the filling.
• Heavy Whipping Cream: Creates a light, airy texture and adds volume to the cream cheese mixture.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances the overall flavor with its warm, aromatic notes.

• Cherry Pie Filling: Brings a vibrant, fruity flavor and adds a pop of color to the dessert.

No-Bake Cherry Setup Essentials

• 9×13-inch baking dish: Essential for layering and setting the dessert.
• Rolling pin: Perfect for crushing graham crackers into fine crumbs.
• Ziplock bag: Helps contain graham crackers while crushing them.
• Hand or stand mixer: Needed to blend cream cheese and sugar smoothly.
• Mixing bowls: Two bowls required for cream cheese and whipped cream preparation.
• Whisk: Great for whipping cream to stiff peaks.
• Spatula: Useful for folding whipped cream and spreading layers evenly.

How to Build a Chilled Cherry Dessert

• Cracker Foundation

Crush graham crackers into fine powder using a rolling pin inside a sealed bag. Press crumbs mixed with butter firmly into a baking dish, creating a solid base.

• Creamy Cloud Layer

Whip cream cheese with sugar until silky smooth. Create a fluffy cream by whisking heavy cream with vanilla until peaks form. Gently blend these two mixtures, creating a light and airy filling.

• Cherry Wonderland

Spread half the creamy mixture over the cracker foundation. Pour cherry pie filling across the surface, creating a vibrant fruity layer. Top with remaining cream mixture, ensuring an even distribution.

• Final Transformation

Dust reserved cracker crumbs across the top, adding a delightful crunch. Place the entire creation in the refrigerator, allowing flavors to meld and texture to set. Wait patiently for at least three hours, giving the dessert time to become wonderfully chilled and firm.

Cherry Layering Tips and Easy Flavor Twists

• Chilling Secrets: Refrigerate this dreamy dessert for at least 4-6 hours or overnight for the most incredible texture and flavor melding.
• Cream Cheese Smoothness: Ensure cream cheese is completely softened at room temperature to prevent lumps and achieve a silky-smooth filling that spreads like a dream.
• Cherry Creativity: Swap cherry pie filling with fresh seasonal berries like strawberries, blueberries, or a mixed berry medley for a personalized fruity twist.
• Crust Crunch Boost: For extra crunch, mix crushed pecans or almonds into the graham cracker crust to add a delightful nutty dimension to your no-bake dessert.
• Make-Ahead Magic: This dessert can be prepared up to 2 days in advance, making it perfect for stress-free entertaining and party planning.

Dreamy No-Bake Cherry Recipe

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4.6 from 9 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 9 1x

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Description

Creamy no-bake cherry delight brings classic dessert comfort to summer gatherings. Sweet layers of graham cracker crust, cream cheese filling, and cherry topping create an irresistible treat you’ll want to share with friends and family.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 (21 oz / 595 g) can cherry pie filling
• 8 oz (226 g) cream cheese, softened and at room temperature
• 1 package graham crackers
• 6 tbsps salted butter, melted
• 2 cups (480 ml) heavy whipping cream
• ½ cup (100 g) sugar
• 3 tbsps sugar
• ½ tsp vanilla extract

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Instructions

1. Crust Preparation: Crush graham crackers into fine crumbs using a rolling pin within a sealed bag, creating a uniform base texture.
2. Crust Formation: Mix melted butter with graham cracker crumbs, firmly pressing the mixture into the bottom of a rectangular dish to create a solid foundation.
3. Cream Cheese Blend: Whip cream cheese and sugar using an electric mixer until achieving a velvety, homogeneous consistency without any lumps.
4. Cream Preparation: Whip heavy cream with vanilla and sugar until forming stable, voluminous peaks that maintain their structure.
5. Mixture Integration: Gently fold whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture, preserving the light, airy texture and preventing deflation.
6. Layer Assembly: Spread half of the cream cheese mixture evenly over the graham cracker crust, creating a smooth initial layer.
7. Cherry Layer: Distribute cherry pie filling uniformly across the cream cheese layer, ensuring complete coverage from edge to edge.
8. Final Cream Layer: Top with remaining cream cheese mixture, creating a sleek and even surface.
9. Finishing Touch: Sprinkle reserved graham cracker crumbs over the top for added texture and visual appeal.
10. Chilling: Refrigerate the dessert for at least three hours, allowing flavors to meld and the structure to set completely.

Notes

• Crumb Crushing Technique: Use a rolling pin inside a sealed bag for ultrafine graham cracker particles, ensuring a consistent and compact crust base.
• Mixing Mastery: Employ an electric mixer to create a silky, lump-free cream cheese blend, guaranteeing a smooth and luxurious texture.
• Whipping Wisdom: Whip heavy cream until billowy peaks form, folding gently into cream cheese mixture to maintain airy structure.
• Chilling Crucial Step: Refrigerate for at least three hours to allow flavors to develop and dessert to set perfectly, creating a firm and delectable consistency.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Mixing
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 9
• Calories: 366
• Sugar: 25 g
• Sodium: 145 mg
• Fat: 27 g
• Saturated Fat: 16 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 32 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg