Description
This cherry cheesecake lush delivers creamy comfort straight from Grandma’s kitchen, melting together layers of graham cracker crust, silky cream cheese, and sweet cherry goodness that make your taste buds dance with pure delight.
Ingredients
Scale
Crust:
- 1 cup vanilla wafer crumbs
- 1 cup pecans (finely chopped)
- 1 stick butter (½ cup, melted)
Filling:
- 8 ounces cream cheese (softened)
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 16 ounces whipped topping (divided)
- 2 boxes cheesecake flavored pudding (small)
- 3 cups milk
Topping:
- 1 can Lucky Leaf cherry pie filling
- ½ cup pecans (chopped)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F. Combine 1 cup vanilla wafer crumbs, 1 cup finely chopped pecans, and ½ cup melted butter in a mixing bowl until thoroughly blended.
- Press the crumb mixture evenly into a 9×13 inch baking pan. Bake for exactly 15 minutes at 350°F, then remove and let cool completely at room temperature.
- Beat 8 oz softened cream cheese with 1 cup powdered sugar. Fold in 1 ½ cups whipped topping until the mixture becomes silky and uniform.
- Spread the cream cheese layer carefully across the cooled crust, ensuring an even distribution.
- Whisk 2 small boxes of cheesecake pudding mix with 3 cups milk for 2 minutes. Gently fold in 1 cup whipped topping until smooth.
- Pour the pudding mixture over the cream cheese layer, creating a consistent surface.
- Spread 1 entire can of Lucky Leaf Cherry Pie Filling across the pudding layer, covering it completely.
- Top the cherry layer with remaining whipped topping, using a spatula to create a smooth finish.
- Sprinkle ½ cup chopped pecans over the top for added crunch and decoration.
- Refrigerate the dessert for 4-6 hours or overnight to allow layers to set and flavors to meld together.
Notes
- Crust gets extra crunch if pecans are toasted lightly before mixing into the vanilla wafer crumbs.
- Cream cheese needs to be completely softened at room temperature to ensure a smooth, lump-free filling.
- Chilling overnight allows layers to set perfectly and flavors to develop more deeply.
- For a gluten-free version, swap vanilla wafer crumbs with gluten-free graham cracker crumbs or almond flour.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Cheesecakes
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 365 kcal
- Sugar: 26 g
- Sodium: 180 mg
- Fat: 27 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 17 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 25 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 45 mg