No-Bake Cherry Yum Yum Recipe
Introduction
No-Bake Cherry Yum Yum is a delightful, creamy dessert with a crunchy graham cracker crust and layers of sweet cherry filling. Perfect for warm days or when you want an easy, impressive treat without turning on the oven.
Ingredients
- 1 1/4 cups graham cracker crumbs
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 1 (8 oz.) package cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup confectioners’ sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon almond extract
- 2 cups whipping cream
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 (21 oz.) can cherry pie filling
Instructions
- Step 1: In a bowl, combine graham cracker crumbs and melted butter. Mix with a fork until the crumbs are evenly moistened. Set aside 2 tablespoons of crumbs for topping.
- Step 2: Press the remaining crumb mixture firmly into the bottom of a 9×9-inch baking dish sprayed with non-stick cooking spray to form the crust.
- Step 3: With an electric mixer, beat the softened cream cheese, confectioners’ sugar, and almond extract until smooth and creamy.
- Step 4: In a separate bowl, whip the whipping cream, granulated sugar, and vanilla extract until stiff peaks form.
- Step 5: Gently fold the whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture by hand until well combined.
- Step 6: Spread just under half of the cream cheese and whipped cream mixture evenly over the prepared crust.
- Step 7: Drop large spoonfuls of cherry pie filling over the cream cheese layer, then gently spread it evenly.
- Step 8: Top the cherry layer with the remaining cream cheese and whipped cream mixture, spreading it evenly to cover completely.
- Step 9: Sprinkle the reserved 2 tablespoons of graham cracker crumbs over the top.
- Step 10: Cover the dish and refrigerate for several hours or overnight before serving to allow the layers to set.
Tips & Variations
- Use premium cherry pie filling for a fuller cherry layer with more fruit.
- Substitute 1/3-less fat cream cheese to lighten the recipe without sacrificing flavor.
- You can replace the homemade whipped cream with an 8-ounce container of Cool Whip for a quick alternative.
- For thicker layers, consider doubling the recipe for a 9×13-inch pan; stretching it without doubling will result in thinner layers.
Storage
Store the No-Bake Cherry Yum Yum covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat is not recommended as this dessert is best enjoyed cold and fresh. If you need to serve later, keep it chilled until serving for the best texture.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use other fruit fillings instead of cherry?
Yes, you can substitute cherry pie filling with other fruit pie fillings like blueberry, strawberry, or peach for a different flavor profile.
Do I have to use cream cheese, or can I use another base?
Cream cheese provides the creamy, slightly tangy base essential to this dessert’s texture and flavor. While you can experiment with alternatives like mascarpone, the result will differ slightly.
PrintNo-Bake Cherry Yum Yum Recipe
No-Bake Cherry Yum Yum is a creamy, layered dessert featuring a buttery graham cracker crust, a rich cream cheese and whipped cream mixture, and a luscious cherry pie filling. This easy-to-make treat requires no baking and is perfect for a refreshing, indulgent dessert that can be prepared ahead of time and chilled until ready to serve.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 4 hours 20 minutes
- Yield: 9 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Crust:
- 1 1/4 cups graham cracker crumbs
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
Cream Cheese Mixture:
- 1 (8 oz.) package cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup confectioners’ sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon almond extract
- 2 cups whipping cream
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
Cherry Filling:
- 1 (21 oz.) can cherry pie filling
Instructions
- Prepare the Crust: In a bowl, combine the graham cracker crumbs and melted butter. Use a fork to blend until the crumbs are evenly moistened. Set aside 2 tablespoons of the crumb mixture for sprinkling on top later. Press the remaining crumb mixture firmly into the bottom of a 9×9-inch square baking dish that has been sprayed with non-stick cooking spray.
- Prepare the Cream Cheese Mixture: Using an electric mixer, beat the softened cream cheese, confectioners’ sugar, and almond extract until smooth and creamy. In a separate bowl, whip the whipping cream with granulated sugar and vanilla extract until stiff peaks form. Gently fold the whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture by hand until well combined, making sure to maintain the fluffy texture.
- Assemble the Yum Yum Layers: Spread just under half of the cream cheese and whipped cream mixture evenly over the crust layer. Spoon large dollops of cherry pie filling over the cream cheese layer, then gently spread the cherries to cover the layer evenly without mixing. Top the cherry layer with the remaining cream cheese and whipped cream mixture, spreading it gently to cover completely. Finally, sprinkle the reserved 2 tablespoons of graham cracker crumbs evenly over the top.
- Chill Before Serving: Cover the assembled dessert and refrigerate it for several hours or overnight. This allows the layers to set properly and the flavors to meld for the best taste and texture.
Notes
- Use premium cherry pie filling for a higher fruit content and better cherry flavor in the layers.
- Reduced fat (1/3 less fat) cream cheese works well if you prefer a lighter version.
- As a substitute for homemade whipped cream, you can use an 8-ounce container of Cool Whip non-dairy whipped topping in the cream cheese mixture.
- This recipe yields thick, creamy layers. If preparing this dessert in a 9×13-inch pan, it is recommended to double the recipe to maintain the thickness of the layers.
- The crust amount might need to be increased if doubling the recipe for a larger pan to adequately cover the bottom.
Keywords: No Bake Cherry Yum Yum, Cherry dessert, cream cheese dessert, layered dessert, easy no bake dessert, graham cracker crust
