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Spread the cream cheese filling over the cooled graham cracker crust, smoothing it out with a spatula.
Spoon the cherry pie filling over the top, covering the entire dessert with a generous layer of cherries.
Chill:
Refrigerate the dessert for at least 2-3 hours, or overnight, to allow it to set properly before serving.
Serve:
Slice into squares and serve chilled. Enjoy the creamy layers with the sweet, tart cherry topping!
Tips for Serving and Storing:
Serving: For a decorative touch, you can garnish each serving with a dollop of whipped cream or a few extra fresh cherries on top.
Storing: This dessert is best kept in the fridge, covered with plastic wrap or in an airtight container, where it will stay fresh for up to 4 days.
Make Ahead: You can prepare this dessert a day in advance, which makes it an excellent option for parties or holiday gatherings.
Variants:
Berry Delight: Swap the cherry pie filling for any other fruit filling, such as blueberry, strawberry, or raspberry, to create a different variation.
Chocolate Cherry Delight: Add ¼ cup of cocoa powder to the cream cheese filling for a chocolatey twist, or sprinkle mini chocolate chips over the top before adding the cherry filling.
Nutty Crunch: Mix crushed nuts like pecans or walnuts into the graham cracker crust for an added texture and flavor.
FAQ:
Can I use fresh cherries instead of pie filling?
Yes, you can! If you prefer fresh cherries, pit and chop them into small pieces, then mix them with a little sugar and cornstarch to make your own cherry topping. Heat this mixture on the stove until it thickens, then cool it before using it as a topping.
Can I make this dessert without Cool Whip?
Absolutely! You can substitute the Cool Whip with homemade whipped cream. Simply whip heavy cream with a little powdered sugar until stiff peaks form, then fold it into the cream cheese mixture.
Is this dessert gluten-free?
The traditional graham cracker crust contains gluten, but you can use gluten-free graham crackers or another gluten-free crust alternative to make this dessert gluten-free.
How can I make this recipe dairy-free?
To make the recipe dairy-free, substitute the cream cheese with a dairy-free cream cheese alternative and use coconut whipped cream instead of Cool Whip. You can also try using dairy-free butter for the crust.
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