Easy Cream Cheese Cherry Dessert Recipe
I absolutely adore this cherry cheesecake recipe because it’s incredibly easy to make and satisfies my sweet tooth with its creamy, dreamy layers. Plus, the combination of tangy cream cheese and vibrant cherry pie filling creates a nostalgic dessert that always reminds me of happy family gatherings.
I enjoy making fast, delicious desserts, and my Easy Cream Cheese Cherry Dessert is one of those treats you simply can’t resist. Its creamy blend of softened cream cheese, sweet powdered sugar, and vanilla extract, combined with the light-as-air whipped topping and the luscious cherry pie filling, makes a dessert that is perfect for any occasion.
And to make it even better, it sits on an equally delicious graham cracker crust that is just as easy to make.
Ingredients
Cream cheese: Unctuous with fat, it brings a creamy, tangy flavor.
Confectioners’ Sugar: Delivers sweetness and a creamy texture.
Extract of vanilla: Intensifies sweet flavors and adds a warmly aromatic note.
Topping Whipped: Adds weightlessness and soft, airy texture.
Pie Filling: Sweet and sour, full of fruity flair and zing.
Crust of Graham Crackers: An excellent base to make dessert.
Crunchy, slightly sweet, and provides a great contrast to smoothness.
Ingredient Quantities
- 1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups whipped topping, thawed
- 1 can (21 ounces) cherry pie filling
- 1 prepared graham cracker crust (9 inches)
Instructions
1. In a big mixing bowl, mix the cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth and combined. Use an electric mixer set to medium speed for the best results.
2. Whip the topping, then fold it gently into the cream cheese mixture. The more you fold, the more you mix. And you want to mix this so that the topping is evenly distributed throughout the cheesecake filling.
3. Spoon the cream cheese mixture into the graham cracker crust, prepared as directed, and spread it evenly.
4. Spoon the cherry pie filling carefully and evenly over the entire surface of the cream cheese layer.
5. Shield the sweet course with a layer of plastic wrap or aluminum foil.
6. Chill for at least 2 hours in the fridge, or until completely cooled and set.
7. When you have chilled your item, take it from the refrigerator and take off the covering.
8. Cut the dessert into separate portions.
9. Chill the serving dish before serving directly from the pie crust. When serving a wedge of pie, use a knife or pie server to ensure clean edges.
10. Refrigerate any remaining food within 2 hours of cooking, covered, for up to 3 days.
Equipment Needed
1. Big mixing bowl
2. Electric mixer
3. Spatula
4. Measuring cups
5. Measuring spoons
6. Spoon
7. Knife
8. Pie server
9. Plastic wrap or aluminum foil
10. Refrigerator
FAQ
- Q: Can I use fresh cherries for this recipe?Yes, you can replace fresh cherries with a homemade pie filling by cooking cherries with some sugar and water.
- Q: How long does this dessert need to chill before serving?Letting the dessert chill in the refrigerator for a minimum of 2 hours is the best way to ensure that it will set.
- Q: Can I make this dessert in advance?Certainly! It can be made a day ahead and kept in the refrigerator until serving time.
- Q: Can I use store-bought whipped cream instead of whipped topping?A: Yes, store-bought whipped cream can be used, but it must be stabilized to ensure it does not deflate.
- Q: Is there an alternative to the graham cracker crust?A: You can absolutely use a chocolate cookie crust or a vanilla wafer crust, and that will give you a different flavor profile compared to a standard graham cracker crust.
- Q: What can I use if I don’t have powdered sugar?A: In the absence of powdered sugar, you can transform granulated sugar into a fine powder by blending it in a blender.
Substitutions and Variations
For the cream cheese, substitute Neufchâtel cheese for a lower-fat option.
Substitute granulated sugar in equal amounts for powdered sugar; the texture may be slightly less smooth, but the end result will be just as sweet.
Substitute almond extract for vanilla extract to get a nutty flavor.
If a homemade touch is your preference, substitute whipped topping for whipped cream.
Use fresh cherries or a different pie filling, like blueberry or strawberry, as alternatives to cherry pie filling.
Pro Tips
1. Room Temperature Ingredients: Make sure the cream cheese is fully softened at room temperature before mixing to avoid lumps and achieve a smooth filling.
2. Stabilize the Whipped Topping: For a firmer cheesecake, consider adding a stabilizer to the whipped topping, such as a teaspoon of gelatin dissolved in water, before folding it into the cream cheese mixture.
3. Layering Technique: When spooning the cherry pie filling over the cream cheese layer, use a spoon or spatula to gently drop the filling rather than pouring it all at once. This helps prevent the filling from sinking into the cream cheese layer and maintains distinct layers.
4. Chill Thoroughly: Ensure the dessert chills thoroughly, ideally overnight, to make slicing easier and to allow the flavors to meld.
5. Enhanced Flavor: For an extra touch of flavor, add a teaspoon of almond extract along with the vanilla extract to complement the cherry pie filling.
Easy Cream Cheese Cherry Dessert Recipe
My favorite Easy Cream Cheese Cherry Dessert Recipe
Equipment Needed:
1. Big mixing bowl
2. Electric mixer
3. Spatula
4. Measuring cups
5. Measuring spoons
6. Spoon
7. Knife
8. Pie server
9. Plastic wrap or aluminum foil
10. Refrigerator
Ingredients:
- 1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups whipped topping, thawed
- 1 can (21 ounces) cherry pie filling
- 1 prepared graham cracker crust (9 inches)
Instructions:
1. In a big mixing bowl, mix the cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth and combined. Use an electric mixer set to medium speed for the best results.
2. Whip the topping, then fold it gently into the cream cheese mixture. The more you fold, the more you mix. And you want to mix this so that the topping is evenly distributed throughout the cheesecake filling.
3. Spoon the cream cheese mixture into the graham cracker crust, prepared as directed, and spread it evenly.
4. Spoon the cherry pie filling carefully and evenly over the entire surface of the cream cheese layer.
5. Shield the sweet course with a layer of plastic wrap or aluminum foil.
6. Chill for at least 2 hours in the fridge, or until completely cooled and set.
7. When you have chilled your item, take it from the refrigerator and take off the covering.
8. Cut the dessert into separate portions.
9. Chill the serving dish before serving directly from the pie crust. When serving a wedge of pie, use a knife or pie server to ensure clean edges.
10. Refrigerate any remaining food within 2 hours of cooking, covered, for up to 3 days.