Melt the butter.
Melt the seven tablespoons unsalted butter in a small saucepan over low heat.
Watch it closely to prevent burning.
Graham crackers should be crushed by placing them in a food processor and pulsing them until they become fine crumbs.
If you don’t have a food processor, smash the crackers with a rolling pin inside a zip-top bag.
Mix and Press: Place the melted butter, granulated sugar, and graham cracker crumbs in a medium-sized mixing basin.
Stir until a wet sand-like consistency is achieved.
Press the mixture evenly over the bottom and up the sides of a pie dish or tart pan after transferring it there.
This creates your “skin” or crust.
Chill:
To help the crust solidify, place the pie plate in the refrigerator for about fifteen minutes.
Setting Up the Cream Cheese Garnish:
Cream Cheese Should be beaten until smooth and creamy in a large mixing dish when it has softened.
Add Sugar and Vanilla: Beat the cream cheese until the powdered sugar is incorporated gradually.
Blend until well blended. Add the pure vanilla essence and stir.
Beat the Cream: Beat the cream in a another mixing bowl until firm peaks form.
Mix thoroughly: Gently incorporate the whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture.
Spread: Remove your chilled graham cracker crust-topped pie plate from the fridge.
Evenly distribute the cream cheese mixture over the crust.
Add Cherries on Top: Evenly top the cream cheese layer with the cherry pie filling by spreading it out.
Last Minute Steps: For optimal results, let your Classic Cherry Feeling dessert sit in the refrigerator for at least three hours, preferably overnight.
For an added touch of elegance, feel free to garnish before serving with some fresh cherries or a dusting of graham cracker crumbs.
Serving Ideas:
Chill and Slice: To preserve the structure of the Classic Cherry Feeling, make sure it is well cold before slicing.
Garnish: You may improve the look of this dish by adding some fresh cherries, graham cracker crumbs, and a chocolate or caramel sauce drizzle.
Serving suggestion: For extra richness, top with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Questions and Answers (FAQs):
Can homemade cherry pie filling be used?
Of course! Fillings produced at home often taste fresher.
What is the shelf life of this dessert?
When kept in the refrigerator, it is best used within two to three days.
Is there another fruit filling I could use?
Yes, this recipe also works very well with fillings made of blueberries or strawberries.
Cherry Delight is a classic dessert featuring a buttery graham cracker crust, creamy filling, and sweet cherry pie topping.
Here are variations and tips to elevate this traditional dish.
Basic Traditional Cherry Delight Recipe
Ingredients:
Crust:
1 ½ cups graham cracker crumbs
¼ cup sugar
½ cup melted butter
Cream Cheese Filling:
1 package (8 oz) cream cheese, softened
1 cup powdered sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup whipped topping (or whipped cream)
Topping:
1 can (21 oz) cherry pie filling
Instructions:
Prepare the crust:
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
In a medium bowl, mix the graham cracker crumbs, sugar, and melted butter until combined.
Press the mixture into the bottom of an 8×8 inch or 9×9 inch dish. Bake for 10 minutes and let it cool completely.
Prepare the filling:
In a mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until smooth.
Add powdered sugar and vanilla extract. Beat until creamy.
Gently fold in the whipped topping (or whipped cream) until the mixture is light and fluffy.
Assemble the dessert:
Spread the cream cheese mixture evenly over the cooled crust.
Spoon the cherry pie filling over the top, spreading it gently to cover the entire dessert.
Chill and serve:
Refrigerate the Cherry Delight for at least 3-4 hours (or overnight) to allow it to set.
Slice and serve chilled.
Variations:
Oreo Crust:
Replace the graham cracker crust with crushed Oreos for a chocolaty twist. Mix about 2 cups of crushed Oreos with ½ cup melted butter and press into the dish.
Pretzel Crust:
For a sweet and salty combo, use crushed pretzels instead of graham crackers in the crust.
Fruit Variations:
Replace cherry pie filling with other fruit toppings like blueberry, strawberry, or raspberry pie filling.
You can even use fresh fruits, such as sliced strawberries, peaches, or mixed berries, with a drizzle of sweet syrup.
Chocolate Delight:
Add a layer of chocolate pudding or melted chocolate over the cream cheese filling before topping with the cherries.
You can also sprinkle chocolate chips on top of the crust.
Nutty Crunch:
Add chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts to the graham cracker crust or sprinkle over the top for added texture and crunch.
No-Bake Version:
Instead of baking the crust, you can simply press it into the dish and refrigerate it for about 30 minutes to firm up before adding the filling.
Mini Cherry Delights:
Use a muffin tin with liners to create individual servings. Press the crust into each liner, add filling, and top with cherries for cute, portioned desserts.
Layered Parfaits:
Serve Cherry Delight in clear glasses, layering the crust, filling, and cherries for a beautiful presentation.
Tips for Perfect Cherry Delight:
Softened Cream Cheese: Make sure your cream cheese is softened to avoid lumps in the filling.
Take it out of the fridge at least 30 minutes before using or microwave it for a few seconds.
Whipped Topping Substitute:
If you want a more homemade version, whip ½ cup heavy cream with 2 tbsp powdered sugar until stiff peaks form and use it instead of store-bought whipped topping.
Chill Time: The longer you chill the dessert, the better the flavors meld together. Make it a day ahead if you can.
Thicker Crust: If you prefer a thicker, sturdier crust, double the amount of graham cracker crumbs and butter.
Serve Cold: This dessert tastes best when cold and set, so make sure it’s well-chilled before serving. You can garnish with fresh mint leaves for an extra touch.
These variations and tips will help you create a unique and crowd-pleasing version of Cherry Delight that’s perfect for any occasion.