Cherry Delight

This easy-to-make Cherry Delight dessert is out-of-this-world delicious. It’s a classic dessert that has been enjoyed for generations. The combination of a graham cracker crust, fluffy creamy filling, and tart cherry glaze is perfection. Served in adorable mason jars, this dessert is the perfect addition to any celebration.

I’ve had the recipe for this cherry delight on the side of my refrigerator for a good two years. It’s one of those recipes I’ve always wanted to make and share. However, I kept thinking it’s too basic since it uses canned cherry pie filling and Dream Whip.

So when my mom asked me to return the recipe card because she wanted to make it for Easter, I was kind of surprised. But you guessed it. On Easter Sunday, I had to try a slice. Talk about delicious. I couldn’t wait to make ti and share it with you.

This cherry delight is an old-school recipe which I love. I’ve shared several classic dessert recipes here on the blog. Some of my favorites include this ice cream salad, cream horns, and lazy daisy cake.

It’s traditionally made into a pie (which my mom did and you can too with the recipe below), But I think any dessert is instantly 10% more delicious when it’s served in a mason jar. It will take you a couple extra minutes but it’s so worth it.

Preparing this Cherry Delight is a breeze, even for those new to the world of baking. With simple ingredients and straightforward instructions, you’ll have a decadent dessert that will impress your loved ones without spending hours in the kitchen.

I think this would be the perfect 4th of July dessert recipe!

Whether you’re hosting a celebratory gathering, creating a memorable dessert for a special occasion, or simply craving a taste of nostalgia, this Cherry Delight is the perfect choice. It’s a dessert that embodies the comforting flavors of tradition while offering a delightful twist of elegance and simplicity.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• The combination of a graham cracker crust, fluffy creamy filling, and tart cherry glaze creates an explosion of flavors in every bite. The contrast between the crunchy crust, the velvety filling, and the tangy cherries is pure perfection.
• Despite its impressive taste, this cherry delight is surprisingly easy to prepare. The recipe requires simple ingredients and minimal prep time, making it accessible to both seasoned bakers and beginners looking to impress their guests.
• Served in adorable mason jars, this dessert is not only delicious but also visually appealing. The individual portions add a charming touch to any gathering, making it the perfect dessert for parties, picnics, or even as a special treat for yourself.

Ingredients

• Graham Cracker Crumbs: These provide the perfect crunchy base for the dessert, adding a sweet and slightly toasty flavor.
• Sugar: A touch of sweetness to balance the flavors throughout the dessert.
• Salt: Enhances the overall taste, bringing out the sweetness and depth of the other ingredients.
• Unsalted Butter: This helps bind the graham cracker crumbs together, creating a sturdy and flavorful crust.
• Dream Whip: Essentially, this dessert is a cheesecake, but the Dream Whip creates a super creamy and silky texture that’s unmatched. There is cream cheese in there as well to give it that tang we’ve come to love in cheesecake.
• Milk: Used to create the perfect consistency for the Dream Whip mixture.
• Vanilla: Adds a warm, aromatic flavor to the creamy filling, enhancing the dessert’s overall taste.
• Cream Cheese: Provides a rich, tangy base for the filling, giving it a smooth and creamy texture.
• Confectioners’ Sugar: Sweetens the filling while keeping it silky and smooth.
• Cherry Pie Filling: The star of the show, adding a tart and fruity finish that perfectly complements the creamy filling and crunchy crust. You can use your own pie filling mix or even fresh berries to top this off, but there’s something nostalgic about canned cherry pie filling. It’s kind of magical. It takes me back to my childhood.

Mason Jars

I used an 8 ounce wide-mouth Ball Canning mason jar to make my Cherry Delight. Unfortunately, Ball Canning no longer makes these jars. (I looked everywhere. Sorry about that!) However, I did find some alternatives:

• Tebery – 24 pack: 8 ounces jars
• Gourmex – 24pack: 5 ounces jars (these are a bit smaller.)
• Kamota – 12 pack: 8 ounces jars (different shape – but still cute!)

How to Make

Ready to try making this cherry delight? I’ll walk you through the process below. I’ve also provided a full ingredient list and detailed instructions in the printable recipe card at the end of this post.

1. Begin by preheating your oven to 350 degrees F.
2. In a large bowl, combine the graham cracker crumbs, sugar, salt, and melted butter. Mix until combined. Divide the graham cracker mixture evenly into 8 wide-mouth mason jars (about 1/4 cup in each jar). Use your fingers to press the crust into the bottom of each jar.

3. Place the jars onto a baking sheet and bake about 10 minutes. Allow the jars to cool completely.
4. While your jars cool, prepare the cream layer. In the bowl of an electric mixer with the whisk attachment, add one bag of Dream Whip. Then add milk and vanilla. Stir to combine. Then mix on high for about 4 minutes.
5. Next, add the cream cheese and confectioners’ sugar. Mix until silky, shiny, and smooth. Place in the refrigerator to chill while your jars continue to cool.

6. Once everything is chilled, evenly divide the Dream Whip mixture among the jars. (I found it easiest to add the mixture to a large piping bag and pipe it onto the graham cracker crust in each jar.)

7. Finally, top with the cherry pie filling. Cover with the mason jar lids or plastic wrap and refrigerate the jars until you’re ready to serve the dessert.

And that’s it! As you can see these individual cheesecakes are super simple to make and crazy delicious. Even if you’re not a baker, you can handle this. I promise.

Recipe Variations

Now that you have the basics down and have mastered the art of creating this cherry delight, it’s time to experiment with some fun variations to switch things up.

• One idea is to swap out the cherries for another fruit, such as fresh strawberries or peaches, for a fruity twist.
• Alternatively, you can mix up the flavors by adding an extra ingredient to your cream cheese mixture. Consider chocolate sauce, salted caramel, lemon curd, etc.
• For a boozy adult version, consider adding a shot of your favorite liqueur, such as amaretto or rum.

With so many possibilities, the sky’s the limit when it comes to customizing this delightful dessert.

Frequently Asked Questions

If you’re looking to upgrade your summer parties with a delightful dessert such as Mason Jar Cherry Delight, you might have some questions. Here are some commonly asked questions:

Can I use frozen cherries instead of fresh ones?

Maybe. I would’t use JUST frozen cherries. However, you can use frozen cherry to make a homemade cherry pie filling and that would work just as nicely.

Can I make this dessert ahead of time?

Yes, you can make the dessert a day in advance. The crust will start to get soggy over time, so if you want to serve this as fresh as possible, you may want to make all of the layers in advance and then assemble it just before serving.

Can I use a different type of cookie or cake instead of graham crackers?

Of course! You can substitute graham crackers with Oreos, vanilla wafers, or even brownies for a richer taste.

Can I modify the recipe to make it healthier?

Sure! You can use low-fat cream cheese and fresh fruit to make a lighter and healthier version of this dessert.

This Cherry Delight served in mason jars is a simple and delightful dessert that will elevate your summer parties to the next level. Its classic flavor and presentation in adorable mason jars make it a crowd-pleaser for all ages.

More Classic Desserts You’ll Love

• Ice Cream Pudding Dessert
• Strawberry Jello Salad
• Aunt Maggie Pumpkin Roll
• Homemade Apple Strudel
• Blueberry Cream Pie
• Strawberry Pretzel Salad

I hope you’ll be whipping up this decadent peanut butter ice cream pie. I know you’re going to enjoy it!   If you do, please leave a comment and a 5-star rating below. 

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Cherry Delight

This easy-to-make Cherry Delight dessert is out-of-this-world delicious. The combination of a graham cracker crust, fluffy creamy filling, and tart cherry glaze is perfection.

5 from 2 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Keyword: cherry, cherry supreme, mason jar

Prep Time: 20 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes minutes

Servings: 8 servings

Calories: 477kcal

Ingredients

• 1 1/4 cups graham cracker crumbs
• 3 tablespoons sugar
• Pinch salt
• 1/3 cup unsalted butter melted
• 1 bag Dream Whip (There are 2 bags in a box; you just need one bag.)
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 8 ounces cream cheese softened
• 1 cup confectioners’ sugar
• 2 cans cherry pie filling (21 ounces each)

Instructions

• Begin by preheating your oven to 350 degrees F.
• In a large bowl, combine the graham cracker crumbs, sugar, salt, and melted butter. Mix until combined. Divide the graham cracker mixture evenly into 8 wide-mouth mason jars (about 1/4 cup in each jar). Use your fingers to press the crust into the bottom of each jar.
• Place the jars onto a baking sheet and bake about 10 minutes. Allow the jars to cool completely.
• While your jars cool, prepare the cream layer. In the bowl of an electric mixer with the whisk attachment, add one bag of Dream Whip. Then add milk and vanilla. Stir to combine. Then mix on high for about 4 minutes.
• Next, add the cream cheese and confectioners’ sugar. Mix until silky, shiny, and smooth. Place in the refrigerator to chill while your jars continue to cool.
• Once everything is chilled, evenly divide the Dream Whip mixture among the jars. (I found it easiest to add the mixture to a large piping bag and pipe it onto the graham cracker crust in each jar.)
• Finally, top with the cherry pie filling. Cover with the mason jar lids or plastic wrap and refrigerate the jars until you’re ready to serve the dessert.

Video

Nutrition

Calories: 477kcal | Carbohydrates: 73g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 19g | Saturated Fat: 11g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 53mg | Sodium: 212mg | Potassium: 241mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 24g | Vitamin A: 945IU | Vitamin C: 5mg | Calcium: 74mg | Iron: 1mg