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Pineapple Delight is a delicious no-bake layered dessert that’s bursting with tropical flavor. With a buttery graham cracker crust, a rich and creamy cheesecake-style filling, and a sweet, tangy pineapple topping, it’s the perfect refreshing treat for Summer!
Easy Pineapple Delight Dessert
This pineapple delight (aka pineapple lasagna) is a fantastic dessert made with juicy pineapple on a no-bake cheesecake filling and graham cracker crust. Every bite is wonderfully smooth with balanced sweet and tangy flavors. It’s a super easy dessert that everyone loves. I make it often—especially in the summertime for cookouts and parties. If you have guests, ensure that you prepare at least two or you’ll run out quickly!
Why You’ll Love This Pineapple Delight Recipe
- It’s budget-friendly. The ingredients used in this pineapple lush are cheap, proving that you can make an impressive dessert without breaking the bank. It’s perfect if you are on a tight budget!
- It’s great year-round. I love the flavor of pineapple during the summer and even spring but since we use canned pineapple, you can make it whenever you want. This is a great dessert to make all year.
- It’s a perfect make-ahead dessert. Since it needs some time to chill in the refrigerator, feel free to prepare it the day or night before and allow it plenty of time to chill before serving. This saves you time if you’re hosting guests.
What You’ll Need
I have divided all the ingredients according to the layer they’re in to make it super easy to follow. All of them are common, everyday items that are used in a variety of dishes, so you likely have many on hand right now.
Graham Cracker Crust
- Graham crackers: This makes the perfect no-bake crust. It holds together beautifully and provides a subtle crunchy texture. Feel free to use classic honey graham crackers or cinnamon sugar if you prefer.
- Butter: Ensure the butter is fully melted to help the crushed crackers stick together. I use unsalted butter to prevent the crust from having a salty flavor.
- Sugar: I use simple granulated sugar but you may use brown sugar if you like. It sweetens and balances the flavors of the crust.
Cheesecake Filling
- Cream cheese: Allow the cream cheese enough time to soften at room temperature before you mix the filling. This ensures that it’s smooth and lump-free.
- Vanilla extract: I like the subtle vanilla flavor this adds. It also enhances the flavors of the other ingredients perfectly.
- Powdered sugar: I use powdered sugar to sweeten the filling while keeping it smooth and creamy.
Pineapple Topping
- Crushed pineapple: Drain a can of crushed pineapple for the topping. The extra juice can make the dessert watery. Don’t throw it out! Reserve it to drink or for another recipe.
- Cool Whip: I also add some whipped topping on top for extra creaminess. It is spread directly on top of the pineapple layer, so it’s like a lovely surprise when you slice into it. Ensure it is thawed overnight in the refrigerator before you use it.
How to Make Pineapple Delight
Below I have described how to prepare and assemble each layer of the pineapple delight dessert to create a perfectly chilled treat. It’s so easy to prepare!
- Combine the crust ingredients. Add the crushed graham crackers to a large mixing bowl with the melted butter and sugar. Stir until the mixture starts to hold together.
- Transfer to the baking dish and chill. Next, pour the graham cracker mixture into the 9×13 baking dish. Spread and smooth it out evenly. Then, place it in the refrigerator to chill and set.
- Beat cream cheese. While the crust chills, add the softened cream cheese to a separate bowl and beat it using an electric mixer until it’s smooth and creamy.
- Add powdered sugar and vanilla. Pour in the powdered sugar and vanilla extract and beat the mixture just until all of the ingredients are well incorporated.
- Spread it over the crust. Pour the cheesecake filling over the top of the crust and spread it evenly.
- Add the pineapple on top of the filling. Spread the drained crushed pineapple over the cream layer. Ensure all of the juice is out so it doesn’t make the cream cheese soupy.
- Finish with Cool Whip. Top the dessert with Cool Whip and ensure to cover the entire thing.
- Chill. Cover it tightly with plastic wrap and place it in the refrigerator to chill for at least 4 hours or ideally overnight.
- Slice and serve. Slice the pineapple dessert into squares and enjoy!
Tips for Success
- Allow the crust enough time to set. At least 30 minutes in the refrigerator will give the graham cracker crust plenty of time to set. This will ensure that it stays in place when you pour and spread the cream cheese filling.
- Use homemade whipped cream. Try this recipe with homemade whipped cream instead of Cool Whip. Add a little bit of unflavored gelatin powder to stabilize it so it holds up in the refrigerator. Don’t have a favorite recipe? Try this Homemade Whipped Cream.
- Add more pineapple flavor for depth. Feel free to increase the pineapple flavor! Add a splash of pineapple juice to the cream cheese filling. You may even fold in some of the crushed pineapple as well to ensure there’s plenty of tropical flavor in every bite.
Proper Storage
Cover the dessert tightly with plastic wrap or place it in an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. You may tightly cover and freeze it for 1-2 months. Thaw it in the refrigerator overnight before you serve it.
More Pineapple Desserts
- Dole Whip Recipe
- Pina Colada Lush
- Pineapple Cheesecake Dessert
- Pineapple Trifle
- No Bake Pineapple Dream Dessert
- Pineapple Poke Cake
Pineapple Delight
Pineapple Delight is a delicious no-bake layered dessert that’s bursting with tropical flavor. With a buttery graham cracker crust, a rich and creamy cheesecake-style filling, and a sweet, tangy pineapple topping, it’s the perfect refreshing treat that will have you coming back for more!
Servings: 12 Servings
Ingredients
Graham Cracker Crust
- 2 cups crushed graham crackers
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter melted
Cheesecake Layer
- 8 ounces cream cheese softened
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup powdered sugar
Pineapple Topping
- 20 ounces crushed pineapple drained
- 8 ounces Cool Whip thawed
Instructions
Graham Cracker Crust
- Start by mixing the crushed graham crackers, sugar, and melted butter in a medium-sized bowl. Stir until the mixture holds together when pressed.
- Press the mixture evenly into the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish to form the crust. Use the back of a spoon or the bottom of a glass to smooth it out.
- Place the dish in the refrigerator to chill while you prepare the cream layer.
Cream Cheese Layer
- Beat the softened cream cheese in a large mixing bowl until smooth and creamy.
- Add the powdered sugar and vanilla extract to the cream cheese and mix until fully combined.
- Spread the cream cheese mixture evenly over the chilled graham cracker crust.
Assemble
- Spread the drained crushed pineapple evenly over the cream layer.
- Gently spread the Cool Whip over the pineapple layer, making sure to cover the entire dish evenly.
- Chill and serve:
- Cover the dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or overnight, to allow the flavors to meld and the layers to set.
- Once ready, slice into squares or rectangles and serve chilled. Enjoy!
Last Step:
Please leave a rating and comment letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business to thrive and continue providing free, high-quality recipes for you.Notes
- Keep leftovers covered with plastic wrap or in an airtight container in the refrigerator. The dessert stays fresh for up to 3 days.
- For added presentation, sprinkle crushed graham crackers or toasted coconut flakes on top right before serving.
- To avoid a soggy dessert, make sure to thoroughly drain the crushed pineapple before spreading it. You can press the pineapple against a sieve with a spoon to remove excess juice.
- Use an offset spatula or a butter knife to ensure each layer is smooth and even. This will give your dessert a pleasing, professional look when sliced.
- For the best texture and flavor, serve Pineapple Delight cold directly from the fridge. Avoid letting it sit out too long as the cream layers might soften.
Nutrition
Calories: 261kcal | Carbohydrates: 42g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 0.3g | Cholesterol: 24mg | Sodium: 117mg | Potassium: 110mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 31g | Vitamin A: 297IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 43mg | Iron: 1mg
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4 comments on “Pineapple Delight”
Sadly I didn’t get enough liquid out of my crushed pineapple. It still tasty wonderful but was just not as set as I’d have liked it to be. I also added a small amount of pineapple directly to the cream cheese mix. The flavor was delightful as the name suggests.
Thank you Kelly!
One important question?…..in your ingredients picture on this page….you show two 8 oz. cream cheese packages and the recipe tells you one. Please let me know if there is suppose to be two or one and if the amount of sugar is correct for one or two packages. Thank you so much for all these recipes you share and I look forward to your response.
Hi Diane. The photo does show two, but you will only use one 8 ounce package. Sorry for the confusion. Thank you!