French Cherry Dessert
A creamy cherry dessert with a crunchy graham cracker crust, layered with sweet cream cheese mixture and topped with vibrant cherry pie filling, perfect for gatherings.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Mix crushed graham crackers, melted butter, and sugar together.
- Press the mixture into the bottom of a 13 x 9 x 2-inch pan.
- Bake at 350°F for 8 minutes and then set aside to cool.
- Prepare Dream Whip according to package instructions.
- Mix powdered sugar with softened cream cheese until smooth.
- Blend the Dream Whip with the cream cheese mixture until well combined.
- Spread the mixture over the cooled crust.
- Top with cherry pie filling.
- Chill before serving.
Tips & Substitutions
For a richer flavor, consider adding a teaspoon of vanilla extract to the cream cheese mixture. If you're short on time, you can use store-bought whipped topping instead of Dream Whip. For a gluten-free option, substitute the graham crackers with gluten-free cookies. This dessert can also be made in a smaller dish for a more layered effect like in Million Dollar Pie(Doris Bryant).
Serving Suggestions
Serve this delightful Cherry Dessert chilled for a refreshing treat. It pairs beautifully with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream for added creaminess. Consider serving alongside coffee or tea for a perfect end to a meal, or as a sweet finish to a summer barbecue.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. This dessert does not freeze well due to the cream cheese mixture and cherry topping, which can separate upon thawing. For best results, serve chilled directly from the fridge.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of French Cherry Dessert contains roughly 751 calories, with 4g protein, 75g carbohydrates, and 49g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin C (23% of the Daily Value) and dietary fiber (20% of the Daily Value), and a good source of calcium and iron. It also contributes 5g of dietary fiber toward your daily target.
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use fresh cherries instead of cherry pie filling?
Yes, you can use fresh cherries, but you will need to cook them down with sugar to create a similar syrupy consistency as cherry pie filling. This will enhance the dessert's flavor and freshness.
How can I make this dessert ahead of time?
You can prepare the crust and the cream cheese mixture a day in advance, layering them with the cherry filling just before serving. This allows the flavors to meld beautifully while ensuring the dessert remains fresh.
Is there a way to make this dessert lower in sugar?
To reduce sugar, use a sugar substitute in the cream cheese mixture and opt for a no-sugar-added cherry pie filling. Adjusting the sweetness will still yield a delicious dessert while making it more suitable for those watching their sugar intake.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).