Pineapple Delight

Light and refreshing, pineapple delight is a cool tropical dessert. Enjoy layers of cream cheese filling, pineapple, and whipped topping over a graham cracker crust.

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Bursting with the sweet and tangy flavor of pineapple, this light, and refreshing Pineapple Delight dessert is a nearly no-bake recipe. Featuring a buttery graham cracker crust, a rich cream cheese filling, and a sweet whipped cream and pineapple topping, it’s easy to see why this dessert is delightful.

MORE RECIPES: Ambrosia Salad | Tornado Cake | Lemon Lasagna | Pineapple Dessert Recipes

Rich and sweet, this pineapple flavored dessert will instantly provide you with a sunny, summertime feeling. Of course, you aren’t limited to making this easy dessert just in the summer, whip it up anytime you need a taste of something tropical. 

Both rich and light, this dreamy dessert is easy to make with just a few simple ingredients. No wonder this delicious recipe goes by so many other names as well, including pineapple dream, pineapple lush, and pineapple lasagna. 

This chilled dessert is a perfect make-ahead dish as it holds up well. Layered in a baking dish it’s easy to transport to a potluck, barbecue, or family gathering. Pineapple delight is a lip-smacking way to end any meal.

Pineapple Delight Ingredients

• Graham crackers - crushed, plus some for garnish
• Sugar - regular white granulated sugar
• Butter - melted, unsalted is best for dessert recipes
• Sugar - powdered sugar, also called icing sugar or confectioners sugar
• Cream cheese - softened
• Vanilla - clear vanilla extract
• Whipped topping - Cool Whip, or use your own homemade whipped topping
• Pineapple - can of crushed pineapple in a heavy syrup, drained completely

You can purchase crushed graham crackers from the store, or you can crush your own. It’s easy to crush graham crackers by placing them into a Ziploc bag and crushing them with a rolling pin. You could also substitute crushed vanilla wafers or golden Oreos for the crust. 

The only part of this nearly no-bake recipe that goes into the oven is the graham cracker crust. It’s important after you bake the crust to let it completely cool before going on to your second layer. A cool crust will allow the following layers to set properly. 

It’s important to give your pineapple dessert enough time to chill so that it can thicken. While it’s best if you can make this dessert a day ahead of time and refrigerate it overnight, it needs at least 4 hours in the refrigerator to properly set. When the dessert is thicker it’s easier to cut into slices.

How To Make Pineapple Delight

FIRST STEP: Preheat the oven to 325°F.

SECOND STEP: Lightly spray an 8x8 baking dish (metal or glass is fine).

THIRD STEP: In a small bowl combine the 1 ¾ cups of crushed graham crackers, 1 stick + 1 tablespoon of melted butter, and 1 tablespoon of sugar.

FOURTH STEP: Press the graham cracker mixture in the bottom of the baking dish.

FIFTH STEP: Bake for 10 minutes.  Allow the crust to completely cool.

SIXTH STEP: Using either a stand mixer or a handheld mixer, cream together the softened butter, cream cheese, and vanilla. Carefully add the powdered sugar a ½ cup at a time. Mix until the cream cheese mixture is smooth.

SEVENTH STEP: Evenly spread the cream cheese filling over the completely cooled crust.

EIGHTH STEP: Using the same bowl as the one used for the filling, gently fold the pineapple into the whipped topping. 

NINTH STEP: Gently spread the whipped topping over the cream cheese layer.

TENTH STEP: Add the additional 1 tablespoon of crushed graham crackers to the top as garnish.

ELEVENTH STEP: Place the baking dish in the refrigerator for 4 hours to ensure the dessert is properly set.

TWELFTH STEP: Keep refrigerated until serving.

How long do I need to chill the dessert? 

While it’s recommended to make this dessert a day ahead of time and refrigerate it overnight, it needs at least 4 hours in the refrigerator to set properly.

Can I use homemade whipped topping? 

Yes, you can use a container of Cool Whip or your own homemade whipped topping.

Can Pineapple Delight be frozen? 

To freeze this pineapple dessert, place it in the freezer uncovered and freeze until solid. Then cover the dessert and store it in the freezer for up to one month. 

How To Store Pineapple Delight 

IN THE FRIDGE:  Store leftover dessert in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 1 to 2 days.  

IN THE FREEZER: Place pineapple delight uncovered in the freezer and freeze until solid. Then cover the dessert and keep it in the freezer for up to a month. Defrost in the refrigerator before serving.

Pineapple Delight

Light and refreshing, pineapple delight is a cool tropical dessert. Enjoy layers of cream cheese filling, pineapple, and whipped topping over a graham cracker crust.

5 from 41 votes

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 10 minutes mins

Chill Time 1 hour hr

Total Time 1 hour hr 20 minutes mins

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Servings 8

Calories 540 kcal

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• 1¾ cup graham crackers crushed, plus 1 tablespoon for garnish
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 9 tablespoons butter , melted
• 1¾ cup powdered sugar
• 4 ounces cream cheese , softened
• 8 tablespoons butter softened
• 1 teaspoon clear vanilla extract
• 8 ounces Cool Whip
• 20 ounces crushed pineapple , in heavy syrup drained

DIRECTIONS

 

• Preheat the oven to 325°F.
• Lightly spray an 8x8-inch baking dish (metal or glass is fine).
• In a small bowl combine the 1¾ cups of crushed graham crackers, 8 tablespoons of melted butter, and 1 tablespoon of sugar.
• Press the graham cracker mixture in the bottom of the baking dish.
• Bake for 10 minutes. Allow the crust to completely cool.
• Using either a stand mixer or a handheld mixer, cream together the softened butter, cream cheese, and vanilla. Carefully add the powdered sugar a ½ cup at a time. Mix until the cream cheese mixture is smooth.
• Evenly spread the cream cheese filling over the completely cooled crust.
• Using the same bowl as the one used for the filling, gently fold the pineapple into the whipped topping.
• Gently spread the whipped topping over the cream cheese layer.
• Add the additional 1 tablespoon of crushed graham crackers to the top as garnish.
• Place the baking dish in the refrigerator for 4 hours to ensure the dessert is properly set.
• Keep refrigerated until serving.

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Notes

TIP: If you can’t find crushed graham crackers, you can crush them yourself by placing them into a Ziploc and a rolling pin.

TIP: It’s highly recommended to make this dessert a day ahead of time and refrigerate it overnight. This will allow it to thicken and makes it easier to cut into slices.

TIP: Make sure that your crust is completely cool before going on to your second layer. It’s important that the crust is cooled so that the following layers set properly on top of it.

TIP: Make sure your butter and cream cheese are at room temperature so that they blend completely and don't leave lumps in this layer.

Nutrition

Calories: 540kcal | Carbohydrates: 62g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 32g | Saturated Fat: 14g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 11g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 54mg | Sodium: 441mg | Potassium: 184mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 47g | Vitamin A: 1170IU | Vitamin C: 7mg | Calcium: 80mg | Iron: 1mg

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