Classic Cherry Delight — A No-Bake Dessert Everyone Loves

There’s something timeless and comforting about a dessert that’s both easy to make and absolutely irresistible — and Classic Cherry Delight fits that bill perfectly.

This creamy, cherry-topped dessert has been a family favorite for generations — buttery graham cracker crust on the bottom, a rich cream cheese layer in the middle, and glossy cherry pie filling on top. It’s cool, velvety, and sweet with just the right balance of tartness from the cherries.

It’s the perfect dessert for holidays, potlucks, summer gatherings, or when you just need something no-fuss but totally crowd-pleasing.

Ingredients

For the Crust:

2 cups graham cracker crumbs (about 1½ sleeves of crackers)
½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted
¼ cup granulated sugar

For the Cream Cheese Layer:

8 oz (1 block) cream cheese, softened
1 cup powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 (8 oz) container whipped topping (like Cool Whip), thawed

For the Cherry Topping:

1 (21 oz) can cherry pie filling

Optional Garnishes:

Extra whipped topping or Cool Whip
Fresh cherries or chocolate shavings

Instructions

Step 1: Make the Crust

In a medium bowl, combine the graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, and sugar. Stir until the crumbs are evenly coated and look like wet sand.

Press the mixture firmly into the bottom of a 9×9-inch or 9×13-inch baking dish, depending on how thick you like your layers. Use the back of a spoon or the bottom of a measuring cup to compact it tightly.

Chill the crust in the refrigerator for 30 minutes while you prepare the filling.

Tip: For an extra touch of flavor, bake the crust at 350°F (175°C) for 8 minutes, then cool completely before adding the filling — optional, but it makes it even richer.

Step 2: Prepare the Cream Cheese Layer

In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese with an electric mixer until smooth and creamy — about 2–3 minutes.

Add the powdered sugar and vanilla extract, then beat again until fully incorporated and silky.

Gently fold in the thawed whipped topping until everything is light and fluffy. Be careful not to overmix — you want that airy, mousse-like texture.

Step 3: Assemble the Layers

Spread the cream cheese mixture evenly over the chilled crust. Use a spatula to smooth the top so it’s even.

Next, spoon the cherry pie filling over the cream layer, spreading it carefully so the cherries cover the entire surface in a glossy red layer of sweetness.

Step 4: Chill and Set

Cover the dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or overnight if you can. This allows the layers to firm up and the flavors to meld together beautifully.

Tip: The longer it chills, the easier it will slice cleanly — patience pays off here!

Step 5: Serve and Enjoy

When ready to serve, cut into squares or bars using a sharp knife. Wipe the knife clean between cuts for perfect slices.

Top with an extra dollop of whipped cream, a few fresh cherries, or even chocolate curls if you want to get fancy.

Serve chilled and watch it disappear in minutes — this is the kind of dessert that brings everyone back for seconds.

Variations You’ll Love

Blueberry Delight: Swap the cherry pie filling for blueberry for a fun twist.
Strawberry Dream: Use strawberry pie filling for a lighter, fruitier version.
Chocolate Crust: Substitute chocolate graham crackers or Oreos for the crust.
Homemade Whipped Cream: Whip 1 cup heavy cream with 2 tablespoons powdered sugar and ½ teaspoon vanilla instead of Cool Whip.

Timing

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Chill Time: 4 hours
Total Time: About 4 hours 15 minutes
Servings: 9–12

Why You’ll Love This Classic Dessert

This Classic Cherry Delight is creamy, fruity, and nostalgic — the kind of dessert that never goes out of style. Every bite is a perfect balance of buttery crust, smooth cream cheese filling, and that sweet-tart cherry topping.

It’s elegant enough for holidays but simple enough for any day, and best of all — no baking required! Whether you’re making it for your family, your coworkers, or your next get-together, it’s one of those foolproof recipes everyone asks you to make again and again.