Marry This Cherry Delight is a creamy and easy recipe, which is made with a vanilla wafer crust and cherry pie filling. It’s the perfect no-fuss dessert, ready in about 30 minutes, plus chilling time.
Jump to RecipeCherry Delight Recipe Ingredients
For the Crust:
- 8 oz. vanilla wafers (about 55 cookies)
- 1/4 cup light brown sugar
- 8 Tbsp. salted butter, melted
- Nonstick cooking spray, for the baking dish
For the Filling:
- 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 2 (8-ounce) packages cream cheese, at room temperature
- 3/4 tsp. almond extract
- 2 (21-ounce) cans cherry pie filling
How To Make Cherry Delight
- Make the Crust: In a food processor, pulse the vanilla wafers and brown sugar until they form fine crumbs. With the processor running, slowly pour in the melted butter until the mixture has the texture of wet sand.
- Press and Chill the Crust: Spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray. Transfer the crumb mixture to the dish and use the flat bottom of a measuring cup to press it firmly and evenly into the bottom. Place the crust in the freezer for at least 20 minutes to firm up.
- Make the Whipped Cream: In the bowl of a stand mixer with the whisk attachment, whip the heavy cream and powdered sugar on medium-high speed for about 3 minutes, until stiff peaks form. Transfer this to a separate large bowl.
- Make the Cream Cheese Base: In the same mixer bowl (no need to clean), beat the room-temperature cream cheese and almond extract on medium-high speed for about 3 minutes, until light, fluffy, and smooth.
- Combine the Filling: Use a rubber spatula to mix about one-third of the whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture to lighten it. Then, gently fold in the remaining whipped cream until no streaks remain.
- Assemble and Chill: Spread the cream cheese filling in an even layer over the chilled vanilla wafer crust. Spoon the cherry pie filling over the top in an even layer. Chill the dessert until it is set, for at least 4 hours, or up to 12 hours.
Recipe Tips
- How to get a firm, non-crumbly crust? The two secrets are to press the crumb mixture down very firmly and evenly with the bottom of a glass or measuring cup, and to not skip the freezing step. Freezing the crust for at least 20 minutes solidifies the butter and creates a firm base that’s easy to serve.
- How do you get a light and fluffy filling? For the best texture, make sure your cream cheese is fully softened to room temperature, which helps it beat up light and smooth. Also, be very gentle when you fold the whipped cream into the cream cheese base to avoid deflating all the air you just whipped into it.
- Can I make this ahead of time? Absolutely! This dessert is perfect for making ahead. It needs at least 4 hours to chill and set, but it’s even better if you make it the day before you plan to serve it, allowing the flavors to meld.
- Can I use a different kind of crust? Yes. If you don’t have vanilla wafers, this dessert is also fantastic with a classic graham cracker crust or a crust made from crushed shortbread cookies.
What To Serve With Cherry Delight
This is a rich, layered dessert that is a complete treat all on its own. It’s a classic potluck and party favorite that needs no accompaniment. It’s wonderful with a simple cup of coffee or a cold glass of milk.
How To Store Cherry Delight
- Refrigerate: This dessert must be stored in the refrigerator because of the dairy ingredients. Cover it tightly with plastic wrap. It will keep well for up to 5 days, though the crust will soften slightly over time.
Cherry Delight Nutrition Facts
- Serving: 1/15th of dish
- Calories: 420 kcal
- Carbohydrates: 48g
- Protein: 4g
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Sugar: 38g
Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.
FAQs
This is a no-bake dessert. After a quick 20-minute freeze for the crust, the creamy filling is simply layered and chilled until it is firm.
A lumpy filling is almost always because the cream cheese was too cold when you started mixing. It needs to be fully softened to room temperature to beat into a perfectly smooth, creamy consistency.
Yes, absolutely. While cherry is classic, this dessert is equally delicious with a can of blueberry, strawberry, or even peach pie filling as the top layer.
Try More Recipes:
Cherry Delight Recipe
Course: DessertCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy15
servings20
minutes420
kcalclassic layered no-bake dessert featuring a buttery vanilla wafer crust, a light and fluffy cream cheese filling, and a sweet cherry pie topping.
Ingredients
Crust: 8 oz. vanilla wafers, 1/4 cup brown sugar, 8 Tbsp. melted salted butter.
Filling: 1 1/2 cups heavy cream, 2 cups powdered sugar, 2 (8-oz) packages cream cheese (softened), 3/4 tsp. almond extract.
Topping: 2 (21-oz) cans cherry pie filling.
Directions
- Make the crust by pulsing the vanilla wafers and brown sugar in a food processor, then mixing in the melted butter.
- Press the crumb mixture firmly into the bottom of a 9×13-inch dish and freeze for at least 20 minutes.
- Make the filling: Whip the heavy cream and powdered sugar to stiff peaks and set aside.
- In a separate bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and almond extract until fluffy and smooth.
- Gently fold the whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture.
- Spread the filling over the chilled crust in an even layer.
- Spoon the cherry pie filling evenly over the top.
- Chill for at least 4 hours, or until the dessert is completely set, before serving.
Notes
- The most important tip for a firm, easy-to-cut crust is to press the crumbs down very firmly and to freeze the crust for at least 20 minutes.
- For the smoothest, lump-free filling, it is essential that your cream cheese is fully softened to room temperature.
- Don’t skip the 4-hour chilling time; it’s crucial for the no-bake filling to set up properly so you can get clean slices.
- Be gentle when folding the whipped cream into the cream cheese base to keep the filling light and airy.
