Classic Cherry Delight – recipe jobt9

Classic Cherry Delight Recipe
Cherry Delight is a creamy, no-bake dessert that combines sweetened cream cheese, whipped topping, and a cherry filling, often layered over a buttery, sweet graham cracker crust. It’s a crowd-pleaser and perfect for a family gathering or potluck.

Ingredients:

For the crust:

1 ½ cups graham cracker crumbs (about 12 graham crackers)
⅓ cup granulated sugar
⅓ cup unsalted butter, melted

For the filling:

1 (8 oz) package cream cheese, softened
1 cup powdered sugar
1 (8 oz) tub of whipped topping (like Cool Whip)
½ teaspoon vanilla extract
2 tablespoons milk (optional, to make the mixture smoother)

For the topping:

1 can (21 oz) cherry pie filling (or you can use fresh cherries and a homemade syrup)

Directions:

1. Prepare the crust:

In a medium bowl, combine the graham cracker crumbs and granulated sugar.
Pour in the melted butter and mix until everything is well combined. The mixture should resemble wet sand and hold together when pressed.
Press the mixture into the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish to form an even crust. Use the back of a spoon or your fingers to gently press it down and make it compact.
Place the crust in the fridge for about 15-20 minutes to set.

2. Make the filling:

In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese with an electric mixer until smooth.
Gradually add the powdered sugar and beat until it’s well combined and smooth.
Add the vanilla extract and continue mixing.
Gently fold in the whipped topping using a spatula. If the mixture feels too thick, you can add a tablespoon or two of milk to loosen it up.
Once the filling is smooth and fluffy, spread it evenly over the graham cracker crust.

3. Add the cherry topping:

Spoon the cherry pie filling evenly over the cream cheese mixture. You can also spread it gently with a spatula if necessary.
Be sure to cover the entire surface of the dessert with the cherries to give it that classic look.

4. Chill the dessert:

Refrigerate the dessert for at least 2-4 hours, or overnight if you have the time. This will help the layers set and make it easier to cut.

5. Serve:

Once it’s chilled and set, cut the Cherry Delight into squares and serve.
If you’d like, you can garnish with extra whipped topping or a sprinkle of chopped nuts for added texture.

Tips:

You can substitute the cherry pie filling with other fruit pie fillings, like blueberry, strawberry, or peach, depending on your preference.
For a more homemade crust, you could use crushed Oreos instead of graham crackers for a chocolate twist.
If you want a smoother texture for the filling, beat the cream cheese until it’s very smooth before adding the powdered sugar.