My cherry delight recipe has a buttery graham cracker crust, a fluffy cream cheese and Cool Whip filling, and a layer of cherry pie filling on top. It takes 6 ingredients and no oven, so it’s one of my easiest desserts to bring to a party and holiday!

If you love the cherries and Cool Whip in this one, my cherry fluff comes together in 5 minutes with no crust at all! For something that tastes even more like cheesecake, my no bake cheesecake with Cool Whip uses three times the cream cheese and the same cherry pie filling on top.

This cherry delight recipe is an old fashioned dessert that is always a hit with everyone who tries it. It’s one of my favorite easy recipes to whip up for parties and special occasions, but it’s also a treat I love to enjoy with my family on any regular weekend.

Cherry delight is made with such simple ingredients, but it is packed with just the right amount of sweetness and richness. With all the different textures in the ingredient list, it absolutely nails the balance between crunchy and creamy too.

My husband, Ben, says that this dessert has the perfect name because it truly is such a delight to eat!

This recipe is similar to a classic cherry cheesecake, but what sets it apart is that it’s a no-bake dessert. Each ingredient is simply layered in the dish, no ovens or water baths required.

I make cherry delight with 6 simple ingredients, and nothing goes in the oven. It’s one of my favorite no bake desserts for that reason! Every bite has crunchy crust on the bottom and creamy filling under the cherries. The hardest part is waiting 2 hours for it to set in the fridge.

Cherry dessert ingredients

• Butter – For this recipe, I prefer unsalted butter so that the crust doesn’t turn out overly salty.
• Graham crackers – Crushed graham crackers form the sweet, crumbly, buttery base of the dessert.
• Powdered sugar – I use this sweet ingredient in both the crust and the filling mixture.
• Cream cheese – Smooth and rich, cream cheese forms the signature filling of this recipe. I love the way the tangy flavor complements the sweetness of the dessert.
• Cool Whip – This makes the filling light and fluffy. Thaw it in the fridge overnight, or for about 4 hours, before you start.
• Cherry pie filling – Canned cherry pie filling helps me keep this recipe simple. This thick and sweet pie filling serves as the topping of the dessert, adding fruity flavor and color to finish it off.

How to make this cherry delight recipe

A full printable version of this recipe with ingredient measurements is available at the bottom of this post.

Recipe tips

• Soften the cream cheese. I usually let my cream cheese sit out at room temperature for 30 minutes before starting this cherry delight recipe. Softened cream cheese is easier to mix and work with.
• Thaw the Cool Whip in the fridge. I move mine from the freezer to the fridge the night before. Frozen Cool Whip won’t fold in smooth, and the filling can turn out runny.
• Press the crust with the bottom of a measuring cup. This helps to pack it down in a nice, even layer.
• Use a hand mixer for the filling. It whips the cream cheese and powdered sugar smooth in about 3 minutes.
• Don’t skip the chilling time. It’s the most important part of the recipe, helping the layers set and allowing for easy cutting later.

Variations

• To make Cherry Yum Yum, put the cherries in the middle instead of on top! Layer half the cream cheese filling over the crust, then the cherry pie filling and the rest of the filling, and I sprinkle extra graham cracker crumbs on top for a little crunch.
• For a chocolatey twist, use crushed Oreo cookies as your crust instead of graham crackers. Use 15 standard Oreos as Double Stuf Oreos will have too much filling for a crust.
• Walnuts are my favorite way to add crunch. Stir 1/2 cup chopped walnuts into the crust mixture or fold them into the filling.
• Switch up the pie filling for a different flavor. Cherry is classic, but this recipe can easily be made with different fruity toppings, like blueberry pie filling or (drained) peach pie filling.

Cherry delight recipe FAQs

What is cherry delight, and how is it different from cheesecake?

This layered dessert is made with similar ingredients to cheesecake. The main difference is that cherry delight is a no-bake recipe, and it has a much lighter and fluffier texture too.

Can I make cherry delight in advance?

Yes! You can make it up to 2 days ahead. Make the crust and filling, cover the pan, and keep it in the fridge. Then spread on the cherry pie filling a few hours before serving. If the cherries sit on top longer than that, it still tastes great, but the red color starts to bleed into the white layer.

How do I prevent the cherry layer from sinking into the cream cheese?

Beat the cream cheese and powdered sugar for the full 3 minutes so it’s thick and fluffy. Then fold the Cool Whip in gently with a spatula until it’s just mixed. Stirring hard knocks the air out, and that’s when the cherries start to sink. Chilling the full 2 hours helps the filling set up too.

How should I store leftovers?

Keep this dessert wrapped tightly in the baking dish or transfer it to an airtight container. It will last in the refrigerator for up to 5 days!

Can I freeze this cherry dessert?

Yes, but freeze it before the cherry layer goes on. Wrap the pan tightly and freeze it for up to 1 month. Thaw it in the fridge overnight, then add the cherry pie filling before serving. The cherry topping gets watery once it’s frozen and thawed.

More easy no bake party desserts

• Strawberry pretzel salad recipe
• Peanut butter pie with Cool Whip
• Easy banana pudding recipe with condensed milk
• Easy watergate salad recipe
• Cool Whip fruit salad recipe