If you are looking for a no-bake dessert that is as easy to make as it is refreshing and bursting with cherry flavor, you will love this Cherry Delight! It is a buttery shortbread cookie crust with a light, creamy filling, and a sweet cherry topping. Plus, it’s a wonderful dessert to make ahead of time because it needs to chill and set before serving, anyway! You will not want to miss trying my Strawberry Delight, either!
Cherry Delight Ingredients & Substitutions
- Crust: It all starts with a shortbread cookie crust. A graham cracker or vanilla wafer crust would also work well in this dessert. Or, for a chocolate cherry dessert, try an Oreo cookie crust!
- Cream Cheese: Before making this dessert, the cream cheese should be at room temperature. This can take anywhere from 30 to 60 minutes.
How To Soften Cream Cheese Quickly
If you forgot to take out the cream cheese for this recipe, here are a couple of options to get it to room temperature quickly:
Warm Water Method: Place the wrapped block of cream cheese in a bowl of warm water for about 10-15 minutes. Flip it over every few minutes or so.
Microwave Method: Remove the cream cheese from its packaging and place it on a microwave-safe plate. Microwave it on low power in 15-20-second intervals until it reaches the desired softness. Be careful not to overheat it, as cream cheese can quickly become too runny or even melt.
- Whipped Topping: Either homemade or store-bought whipped cream will work in this recipe. Some of it goes into the cream cheese mixture with the rest of it used for the topping.
- Jello Mix: You will not use the entire box of dry cherry jello mix, just 1/4 cup. It’s just enough to give the filling the cherry flavor.
- Cherry Pie Filling: I encourage you to try my homemade cherry pie filling to top off this dessert. It will be your go-to for all things that need cherry pie filling! Canned pie filling would also work just fine if you need to get this dessert assembled in a hurry.
Can I Use A Different Sized Pan?
Sure! I like the thickness of the dessert in an 8×8-inch baking dish, but you could use a different size. A 9×9-inch baking dish works well. Even a 7×7-inch dish can work, but it will be a lot thicker. I do not recommend using a 9×13-inch baking dish–the layers will be too thin.
How To Store Cherry Delight
Cherry delight should be stored in the refrigerator, covered. It will last up to 3-4 days but is best enjoyed within a day or two.
Can I Freeze Cherry Delight?
Sure! To freeze cherry delight, first, get it assembled and let it set in the refrigerator for a couple of hours. Once set, wrap the entire dish tightly with plastic wrap. Then, add a layer of aluminum foil. Freeze the dessert for up to 1-2 months. When ready to serve, let it thaw in the refrigerator overnight. Serve chilled.
Cherry Delight
Ingredients
Crust
- 1 ½ cups (180 g) crushed shortbread cookies
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
Toppings
- 2 blocks (8 ounces each) cream cheese, room temperature
- 1 cup (125 g) confectioners' sugar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 teaspoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 3 cups whipped topping, divided
- 1 box (3 ounces) cherry jello mix
- 2 cups cherry pie filling
Instructions
Crust
- Line an 8×8-inch baking dish with parchment paper, including up the sides of the dish.
- To a medium bowl, add shortbread crumbs and melted butter. Mix until all ingredients are fully incorporated with no dry spots.
- Press the crumbs firmly into the bottom of the lined baking dish.
Toppings
- To a large bowl, add cream cheese, confectioners' sugar, vanilla, and lemon juice. Using a hand mixer on medium speed, beat until smooth, about 3 minutes.
- Mix in 2 cups of whipped topping.
- Top the crust with half of the cream cheese mixture.
- To the remaining cream cheese mixture, mix in ¼ cup of the cherry jello mix.
- Add the cherry jello mixture to the top of the cream cheese mixture.
- Top with remaining whipped topping and the cherry pie filling.
- Place in the refrigerator to chill for 1 hour, up to overnight.
Video
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What the Test Kitchen had to say about this recipe:
Autumn
This dessert was a hit over the Fourth of July weekend! It’s so easy to make and tastes amazing!
Elizabeth
All these 'delight' desserts are perfect for summer. Easy to make and no need to turn on the oven! I love the cherry version, almost as much as the strawberry delight!
Bella
I liked this dessert! The shortbread crust was a nice change from the usual graham cracker crust.
Annabelle
This dessert is creamy, fruity, and the shortbread crust gives it a lovely texture. Perfect for those hot days when you don’t want to turn on the oven.
Selena
This dessert was wonderful! The cream cheese layer was smooth and rich, and the cherry topping added just the right amount of tartness. It’s a great no-bake option for a quick and delicious treat!
Thank you for sharing your recipe this turned out great
Oh mylanta my husband loved this! He said it won’t hurt his feelings if I made it again this week. Thank you