Pineapple Delight
Pineapple Delight is a creamy layered dessert with a buttery graham cracker crust, sweet cream cheese filling, and fluffy crushed pineapple topping. Make it ahead and let it chill overnight for an easy dessert that's cool, fruity, and perfect for summer.
Servings: 9
Calories: 370kcal
Ingredients
Graham Cracker Crust
- 1½ cups graham crumbs or 12 graham cracker sheets, crushed
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 7 tablespoons salted butter, melted
Cream Cheese Layer
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons crushed pineapple in heavy syrup
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Pineapple Topping
- Remaining crushed pineapple from a 20-ounce can, drained
- 8 ounces Cool Whip, thawed
Garnish
- 1 to 2 tablespoons graham cracker crumbs
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F.
- Stir together 1½ cups of graham crumbs and the granulated sugar i a medium mixing bowl. Pour in the melted butter and stir until the crumbs are evenly coated.
- Press the graham cracker mixture firmly and evenly into the bottom of an 8×8-inch baking dish.
- Bake the crust for 8 to 10 minutes. Remove it from the oven and allow it to cool completely.
- Beat the softened cream cheese in a medium mixing bowl until smooth and creamy.
- Gradually add the powdered sugar, mixing until completely incorporated.
- Add 2 tablespoons of crushed pineapple and the vanilla extract. Mix just until combined.
- Spread the cream cheese mixture evenly over the completely cooled graham cracker crust.
- Drain the remaining crushed pineapple thoroughly, removing as much excess syrup as possible.
- Gently fold the drained pineapple into the thawed Cool Whip until evenly combined.
- Spread the pineapple mixture evenly over the cream cheese layer.
- Sprinkle 1 to 2 tablespoons of graham cracker crumbs over the top.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 8 hours, preferably overnight, before slicing and serving.
Video
Notes
- Make sure you measure the 2 tablespoons of crushed pineapple for the cream cheese layer before draining the rest of the can.
- Drain the remaining pineapple very well. Excess syrup can make the whipped topping layer too soft or watery.
- The graham cracker crust must be completely cool before adding the cream cheese filling.
- Use fully softened cream cheese so the filling mixes smoothly without lumps.
- For the best texture and cleanest slices, refrigerate the finished dessert overnight.
Nutrition
Calories: 370kcal | Carbohydrates: 46g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 20g | Saturated Fat: 12g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 0.4g | Cholesterol: 53mg | Sodium: 268mg | Potassium: 173mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 34g | Vitamin A: 688IU | Vitamin C: 6mg | Calcium: 77mg | Iron: 1mg