Description
A delightful no-bake pineapple cream dessert that’s easy to prepare and perfect for a refreshing treat. Featuring a crunchy graham cracker crust, creamy pineapple filling with whipped topping, and garnished with shredded coconut and maraschino cherries, this dessert is perfect for warm days and special occasions.
Ingredients
Scale
Crust
- 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs (or use vanilla wafer crumbs or shortbread cookies)
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
Filling
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 (8 oz) container of whipped topping (such as Cool Whip)
- 1 (20 oz) can crushed pineapple, drained (reserve the juice)
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice (optional, for extra zing)
Garnish
- Shredded coconut
- Maraschino cherries
- Additional crushed pineapple
Instructions
- Prepare the crust: In a bowl, combine the graham cracker crumbs, granulated sugar, and melted butter until the mixture is well combined. Press this mixture firmly into the bottom of a 9-inch pie dish or your preferred serving dish. Place it in the refrigerator to chill and set while you prepare the filling.
- Make the filling: In a separate large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and powdered sugar until smooth and creamy. Gently fold in the whipped topping and the drained crushed pineapple. Add lemon juice to the mixture if you desire a bit of tangy zest for extra flavor.
- Assemble the dessert: Spread the pineapple cream filling evenly over the chilled crust. Use a spatula to smooth out the surface to ensure an even layer.
- Chill the dessert: Cover the assembled dessert and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, allowing the flavors to meld and the filling to firm up. For best results, chill overnight.
- Garnish and serve: Before serving, garnish the dessert with shredded coconut, maraschino cherries, and additional crushed pineapple for a festive and colorful finish. Serve chilled and enjoy this refreshing treat!
Notes
- For a gluten-free version, use gluten-free cookie crumbs for the crust.
- Ensure the cream cheese is fully softened before mixing to avoid lumps.
- Reserve the pineapple juice for another use or to add a bit of sweetness to drinks.
- Chilling overnight enhances the texture and flavor.
- You can substitute the whipped topping with homemade whipped cream for a fresher taste.
