Name: Cherry Cheesecake Lush Dessert
Prep time: 20 min
Total time: PT-488974H6M25S
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 cups graham cracker crumbs; 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted; 8 oz cream cheese, softened; 1 cup powdered sugar; 1 (8 oz) container whipped topping, divided; 1 (21 oz) can cherry pie filling; 1 (3.4 oz) package instant vanilla pudding mix; 1 1/2 cups cold milk; 1 tsp vanilla extract

Jump to Recipe·Print Recipe

This Cherry Cheesecake Lush Dessert is a creamy, no-bake layered treat with a buttery base, a whipped cheesecake layer, and a generous cherry pie topping. It’s perfect for holidays, potlucks, or a weeknight indulgence.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This dessert is delightfully easy to prepare and requires no baking. Its rich and creamy texture paired with the sweet and tart cherry topping creates a well-balanced flavor. It’s also a beautiful make-ahead dish that slices cleanly and serves well at gatherings.

Ingredients

(Tip: You can find the complete list of ingredients and their measurements in the recipe card below.)

graham crackers or vanilla wafers
unsalted butter, melted
cream cheese
granulated sugar
vanilla extract
whipped topping (Cool Whip or homemade)
cherry pie filling

Directions

Crush graham crackers or vanilla wafers into fine crumbs. Mix with melted butter and press into a 9×13-inch dish. Chill to firm.
Beat cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla until smooth. Fold in whipped topping.
Spread the cheesecake mixture over the crust evenly.
Top with cherry pie filling.
Refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight before serving.

Servings and Timing

Servings: 12
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Chill Time: 4 hours
Total Time: 4 hours 20 minutes

Variations

Use blueberry, raspberry, or strawberry pie filling as a topping.
Add a chocolate cookie crust for a different flavor profile.
Add lemon zest to the cheesecake layer for brightness.

Storage/Reheating

Refrigerate leftovers covered for up to 4 days. This dish is not suitable for freezing. No reheating needed.

FAQs

How long does this dessert need to chill?

At least 4 hours, but overnight yields the best texture.

Can I make this with fresh cherries?

Yes, just cook them down with sugar and cornstarch to form a pie filling consistency.

Can I use whipped cream instead of Cool Whip?

Yes, stabilized whipped cream works great.

What kind of crust works best?

Graham cracker crust is traditional, but vanilla wafers or even chocolate cookies work well.

Is it safe to freeze this dessert?

Freezing is not recommended as the creamy texture can separate once thawed.

Can I make this dairy-free?

You can use dairy-free cream cheese and coconut whipped topping.

Is it gluten-free?

Use gluten-free cookies or graham crackers for the crust to make it gluten-free.

What is the best pan size?

A 9×13-inch glass or metal baking dish works best.

Can I make this ahead of time?

Yes, it’s ideal for making a day in advance.

How do I serve this cleanly?

Use a sharp knife wiped clean between cuts for neat slices.

Conclusion

Cherry Cheesecake Lush Dessert is a luscious, crowd-pleasing option that is both easy to prepare and impressive to serve. With its smooth layers and vibrant topping, it’s a dessert you’ll come back to time and time again.

Cherry Cheesecake Lush Dessert

Print Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

No reviews

Cherry Cheesecake Lush Dessert is a creamy, layered no-bake treat featuring a buttery graham cracker crust, a smooth cheesecake layer, cherry pie filling, and whipped topping. Perfect for potlucks or holiday gatherings, it’s rich, refreshing, and easy to prepare ahead of time.

Author: Emma Harper
Prep Time: 20 mins
Cook Time: 0 mins
Total Time: 4 hrs 20 mins (including chilling)
Yield: 12 servings 1x
Category: Dessert
Method: No-Bake
Cuisine: American
Diet: Vegetarian

Instructions

In a medium bowl, mix graham cracker crumbs and melted butter until combined. Press into the bottom of a 9×13-inch dish to form the crust. Refrigerate while preparing the next layer.
In a large bowl, beat cream cheese until smooth. Add powdered sugar and vanilla extract, mixing until creamy. Fold in half of the whipped topping. Spread evenly over the crust.
In another bowl, whisk pudding mix with cold milk until thickened, about 2 minutes. Spread over the cream cheese layer.
Spoon cherry pie filling evenly over the pudding layer.
Top with the remaining whipped topping, spreading evenly across the surface.
Refrigerate for at least 4 hours or until fully set before serving.
Slice and serve chilled. Optional: garnish with crushed graham crackers or fresh cherries.