Ohhh yes 🍒 — Classic Cherry Delight — that retro dessert everyone loves at family gatherings!
It’s creamy, cool, and sweet: a buttery graham cracker crust, fluffy cheesecake-like filling, and glossy cherry pie topping. Best part? No baking, no fuss — just chill and enjoy.
Here’s the perfect old-fashioned version 👇
🍒 Classic Cherry Delight
🥣 Ingredients
For one 9×9-inch pan (serves 9–12)
Crust:
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1 ½ cups graham cracker crumbs (about 12 full crackers)
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⅓ cup granulated sugar
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½ cup (1 stick / 115 g) melted butter
Filling:
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1 (8 oz) package cream cheese, softened
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1 cup powdered sugar
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1 tsp vanilla extract
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1 (8 oz) tub Cool Whip or 1 cup sweetened whipped cream
Topping:
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1 (21 oz) can cherry pie filling
👩🍳 Instructions
1. Make the crust
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In a bowl, mix graham cracker crumbs, sugar, and melted butter until evenly coated.
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Press mixture firmly into the bottom of a 9×9-inch (or 8×8-inch) dish.
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Chill in the fridge while you prepare the filling.
Optional: For a firmer crust, bake at 350°F (175°C) for 8–10 minutes, then cool completely before filling.
2. Make the filling
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In a medium bowl, beat cream cheese until smooth and fluffy.
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Add powdered sugar and vanilla; beat until creamy.
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Fold in Cool Whip gently until light and smooth.
3. Assemble
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Spread cream cheese mixture evenly over the chilled crust.
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Spoon cherry pie filling evenly over the top.
4. Chill & serve
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Cover and refrigerate at least 4 hours, or overnight, until fully set.
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Slice into squares and serve cold.
💡 Tips & Variations
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Crust swaps: Try crushed vanilla wafers, shortbread cookies, or Oreos for a twist.
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Homemade whipped cream: Whip 1 cup heavy cream + 2 tbsp powdered sugar until stiff peaks form — fold in for a richer flavor.
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Different toppings: Use blueberry, strawberry, or lemon curd instead of cherry for fun variations.
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Lighter version: Use reduced-fat cream cheese and light Cool Whip.
🍰 Storage
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Keep refrigerated and covered — good for up to 4 days.
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You can freeze it (without the fruit topping) up to 1 month; thaw in fridge and top with cherries before serving.
Would you like me to give you a baked cheesecake-style Cherry Delight version next (a little denser, more like a cherry cheesecake bar)?
