Description
Whip up this cherry delight cake for a sweet treat that’ll make your taste buds dance with joy. Layers of moist cake and tangy cherries create a delightful dessert perfect for sharing with friends and family.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 (8-ounce) blocks cream cheese
- 1 (21-ounce) can cherry pie filling
- 2 ½ cups graham cracker crumbs
- ¾ cup butter
Supporting Ingredients:
- 1 (8-ounce) tub Cool Whip
- 1 cup confectioner’s sugar
- ¼ cup sour cream
Flavoring Ingredients:
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and coat a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray for easy release.
- Combine 2 ½ cups graham cracker crumbs, ¾ cup melted butter, and ¼ cup granulated sugar in a mixing bowl until the mixture resembles coarse sand.
- Press the graham cracker mixture firmly into the prepared baking dish, creating an even layer across the bottom.
- Bake the crust for 13 minutes at 350°F until the edges turn golden brown. Transfer to a wire rack and allow to cool completely for 45 minutes.
- Using an electric mixer, cream 2 (8-ounce) blocks of softened cream cheese and ¼ cup sour cream until completely smooth.
- Add 1 cup confectioner’s sugar and 2 teaspoons vanilla extract to the cream cheese mixture. Beat for 2 minutes until light and fluffy.
- Gently fold 1 (8-ounce) tub of thawed Cool Whip into the cream cheese mixture, maintaining a soft, airy texture.
- Spread the cream cheese mixture evenly over the cooled graham cracker crust, ensuring a smooth surface.
- Refrigerate the dessert for at least 4 hours, or preferably overnight, to allow the layers to set completely.
- Just before serving, top the chilled dessert with 1 (21-ounce) can of cherry pie filling, spreading it evenly across the surface.
- Slice into squares and serve chilled for a refreshing, creamy dessert.
Notes
- Graham cracker crust works best when packed firmly and evenly into the baking dish for a solid base that holds together perfectly.
- Cream cheese should be at room temperature to ensure a smooth, lump-free filling that blends seamlessly with other ingredients.
- Let the dessert chill completely before adding cherry topping to help the layers set and prevent runny edges when cutting.
- For a lighter version, swap regular cream cheese for reduced-fat and use light Cool Whip to cut down on calories without losing the creamy texture.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12-14 minutes
- Category: Cakes
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8 to 10
- Calories: 380 kcal
- Sugar: 32 g
- Sodium: 180 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 60 mg