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Pineapple Delight is a refreshing, creamy, citrusy layered dessert that’s super easy to make and perfect any time you need a fabulous dessert to feed a crowd. Warm weather calls for desserts that require little to no baking, like this one, which is cool and creamy.
It’s perfect for Easter, summer potlucks, picnics, church suppers, or family Sunday suppers. It makes a generous 9X13 inch baking dish, unlike most other recipes for this you’ll find floating around!
I love layered desserts like this pineapple delight recipe. They’re often served on our family table. Try my chocolate delight, cherry delight, and/or my butterscotch delight when you want a great, almost no-bake dessert to feed your family and friends!
Pineapple Delight Ingredients
Crust:
- Graham Cracker Crumbs: To make graham cracker crumbs, pulse coarsely broken crackers in a food processor until you reach desired consistency. I like to leave a little texture in the crumbs rather than process them until they’re super fine.
- Sugar: Granulated sugar.
- Butter: I use unsalted but salted will work as well.
Pineapple Filling:
- Cream Cheese: Make sure you set out this earlier than you plan to begin the recipe to soften.
- Butter: Same as above. This needs to be softened.
- Sour Cream: This is best brought to room temperature.
- Pineapple: I like canned crushed pineapple in its own juice the best.
- Confectioners’ Sugar: a.k.a. powdered sugar.
- Vanilla Extract: Use pure vanilla extract, the flavor is so much better than imitation vanilla.
- Frozen Whipped Topping: This is the generic name for Cool Whip. I’ve used the Kroger brand whipped topping with equally good results as I’ve had with Cool Whip. Be sure to thaw overnight in the fridge for best results.
Tips
- Crust: Be sure to completely cool your crust before adding the second layer. The second layer won’t set properly if the crust is still warm.
- Chilling: This delight is really best if it’s made a day ahead and refrigerated overnight.
- Cutting: This is the firmest “delight” recipe I have on the website and cuts the cleanest. That said, it’s still very creamy so follow the cleaning steps below between slices.
- Clean Knife: In between slices, wipe the knife with a wet paper towel to keep the slices neat. My Grandma used to fill a tall glass (like an ice tea glass) with water and dip the knife between cuts then wipe it dry with a towel.
Storing + Freezing + Make-Ahead
- How Long Can You Keep This In The Fridge? This can be stored for 4 days in the fridge. Cover it tightly with plastic wrap. I think hotel wrapping is the best way to do this. Here’s an article on how to do it.
- Can You Freeze This? Yes! This pineapple delight will freeze well for up to three months.
- Make-Ahead Tips: Since this recipe needs to be set, it comes with make-ahead time built in. Letting it refrigerate for at least four hours is best; even better overnight!
- Food Safety: If you’d like more information on food safety, check out this article. I’ve yet to find an article that specifically lists pineapple delight; I use cheesecake as my reference for food safety.
What Can I Use Instead Of Cool Whip
If you aren’t a fan of Cool Whip, you can substitute an equal amount of homemade whipped cream.
What To Serve With Pineapple Delight
This is great with a cup of tea or coffee! If you want to add another dessert to your menu I’d add another delightful recipe from the intro above or another layered dessert from the list below.
I’ve also served it alongside my pineapple dump cake, pineapple sheet cake, pig pickin cake, pineapple sunshine cake, fruit cocktail cake, or no-bake eclair cake for really big get-togethers.
How To Make Pineapple Delight
More Layers Desserts To Feed A Crowd
- Blueberry Yum Yum
- Pumpkin Lasagna
- Tiramisu (The Italian Classic!!)
- Strawberry Tiramisu
- Chocolate Lasagna
- Oreo Delight
- Lemon Lush
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Pineapple Delight
Ingredients
Crust:
- 2 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 3/4 cup butter, melted
Cheesecake Layer:
- 2 8-ounce blocks cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup butter, softened
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 2 (20 ounce) cans crushed pineapple, drained
- 1 cup confectioner's sugar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 (8-ounce) tub Cool Whip, thawed overnight in the fridge
Topping:
- pineapple chunks or tidbits
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray a 9X13 inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray; set aside.
- In a large bowl, mix graham cracker crumbs (2 1/2 cups), melted butter (3/4 cup), and granulated sugar (1/4 cup).
- Press into the prepared baking dish. Bake in preheated oven until crust edges are golden, 12 to 14 minutes. Cool completely, on a wire rack, about about 45 minutes.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream together cream cheese (2 blocks), butter (1/2 cup), and sour cream (1/4 cup) with an electric mixer until evenly combined.
- Add pineapple (2 cans) and continue to mix until combined.
- Add the confectioner's sugar (1 cup) and vanilla (2 teaspoons) and beat for 2 minutes.
- Gently fold in the Cool whip (1 tub) until well combined. Do not overmix!
- Spread pineapple + cream cheese mixture over completely cooled crust. Refrigerate for a minimum of 4 hours, or better, overnight.
- Top decoratively with pineapple tidbits or chunks and serve.
Notes
- Crust: Be sure to completely cool your crust before adding the second layer. The second layer won’t set properly if the crust is still warm.
- Chilling: This delight is really best if it’s made a day ahead and refrigerated overnight.
- Cutting: This is the firmest “delight” recipe I have on the website and cuts the cleanest. That said, it’s still very creamy so follow the cleaning steps below between slices.
- Clean Knife: In between slices, wipe the knife with a wet paper towel to keep the slices neat. My Grandma used to fill a tall glass (like an ice tea glass) with water and dip the knife between cuts then wipe it dry with a towel.
Nutrition
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This Pineapple Delight recipe sounds absolutely mouthwatering! I love the combination of tropical flavors and the idea of a light, refreshing dessert. Can’t wait to give it a try – thanks for sharing!
Enjoy and let us know how it turns out 🙂
This Pineapple Delight recipe looks absolutely scrumptious! The combination of flavors seems perfect, and I can’t wait to try it out for my next family gathering. Thanks for sharing such a delightful treat!
Thank you! Enjoy and let us know how it turns out 🙂
This Pineapple Delight recipe sounds absolutely irresistible! I love how you combined sweet and tangy flavors. Can’t wait to try it out and possibly go for seconds! 🍍✨
Thank you! Enjoy and let us know how it turns out 🙂
This Pineapple Delight looks absolutely mouthwatering! I can’t wait to try it out; the combination of flavors sounds perfect for a summer treat. Thanks for sharing such a delicious recipe!
Hi! Enjoy and I hope you give it a try soon and let us know how it works for you!
This Pineapple Delight recipe looks absolutely scrumptious! I can’t wait to try it out for my next family gathering. The combination of flavors sounds divine, and I love how refreshing it looks. Thanks for sharing such a delightful treat! 🍍✨
Thank you and enjoy! Let us know how it turns out 🙂
This Pineapple Delight looks absolutely divine! I can’t wait to try it out for my next gathering. The combination of flavors sounds so refreshing and perfect for summer! Thank you for sharing this recipe! 🍍✨
Thank you! We’re happy you like this dessert. Enjoy and let us know how it turns out 🙂
This Pineapple Delight recipe looks absolutely amazing! I love how tropical and refreshing it seems. Can’t wait to try it out and impress my friends at the next gathering! 🍍❤️
Hi! That’s awesome. We’re glad you like this. Enjoy and let us know how it turns out 🙂
I really love your pineapple sunshine cake, so I added cherries on top of this pineapple delight. It looks perfect!
Oh my that looks pretty! Thanks for your positive review, Anne! 🙂
Oh my goodness, this looks delicious, I love pineapple. Kathleen, I appreciate all your wonderful recipes and have prepared several of them.
Do you think Greek yogurt could be successfully substituted for the sour cream in this recipe?
Thanks
Marjie
Hi Marjie! I think that should work out well! I’m so happy you’re enjoying my recipes. I hope you find lots more!!!
Hi Kathleen! This looks absolutely luscious, but I do have a question. How long does it hold up with the added pineapple topping, without it getting soggy &/or collapsing? Hoping to serve to different guests over several days. Thanks so much, from Alberta, Canada 🍁 🇨🇦
Hi Terry! I drained the pineapple well that I used for garnish. It didn’t make the pineapple delight soggy. I had it garnished in the fridge for a couple of days before.