Cherry Cheesecake Parfait Delight Recipe

Creamy Cherry Cheesecake Parfait Recipe: A Sweet Treat Escape

Sweet layers of creamy cherry cheesecake parfait dance together in a dessert that promises pure indulgence.

Silky cream cheese blends smoothly with fresh cherries, creating a luxurious treat.

Elegant yet simple, this parfait brings restaurant-quality dessert right to your kitchen counter.

Cool and refreshing, each spoonful offers a delightful balance of tangy and sweet flavors.

Soft graham cracker crumbs provide a delicious crunch between smooth cheesecake layers.

Seasonal cherries add vibrant color and natural sweetness to every delectable bite.

Whip up this impressive dessert in minutes and watch everyone’s eyes light up with excitement.

Treat yourself to a slice of pure culinary magic that’ll have everyone asking for seconds.

Frequently Asked Questions About Cherry Cheesecake Parfait Delight

  • Can I use fresh cherries instead of cherry pie filling?

Fresh cherries work, but you’ll need to cook them with sugar and cornstarch to create a similar consistency to pie filling. Canned pie filling is easier and provides a more consistent texture.

  • Is there a way to make this dessert lighter?

Substitute low-fat cream cheese and use a reduced-sugar condensed milk. You can also use light whipped cream as a topping to reduce calories.

  • How do I prevent the graham cracker layer from getting soggy?

Press the crumbs firmly and ensure they’re evenly distributed. Adding the crumbs right before serving can help maintain their crunchiness.

Why Cherry Cheesecake Parfait Delight Is A Sweet Treat

  • Craft Stunning Layers: Build a visually appealing dessert with perfectly arranged graham cracker, cheesecake, and cherry layers that create a stunning presentation.
  • Minimal Kitchen Skills Needed: Requires basic mixing and layering techniques, making this recipe accessible for beginners and casual home cooks with no complex cooking methods.
  • Crowd-Pleasing Party Treat: Perfect for gatherings, potlucks, and celebrations where individual servings make serving and cleanup super convenient.
  • No-Bake Summer Sensation: Enjoy a cool, refreshing dessert that doesn't require turning on the oven, ideal for warm weather and outdoor entertaining.

Ingredients For Cherry Cheesecake Parfait Delight

Dry Base Ingredients:
  • Graham Cracker Crumbs: A sweet and crunchy foundation that adds texture to the parfait.
  • Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps bind the crust mixture.
Cream Ingredients:
  • Cream Cheese: Creates a rich and smooth base for the cheesecake layer with a tangy flavor.
  • Sweetened Condensed Milk: Adds creamy sweetness and helps achieve a smooth consistency.
Flavor and Topping Ingredients:
  • Lemon Juice, Vanilla Extract: Enhances the cheesecake flavor with bright and aromatic notes.
  • Cherry Pie Filling: Adds a sweet and fruity layer that complements the creamy cheesecake.
  • Butter: Helps bind the graham cracker crust and adds richness.

How To Make Cherry Cheesecake Parfait Delight

Step 1: Create Crumbly Crust Base

Grab graham cracker crumbs, sugar, and melted butter. Mix these ingredients thoroughly in a mixing bowl until they form a slightly damp, sandy texture. The mixture should hold together when gently pressed.

Step 2: Whip Creamy Cheesecake Mixture

Use an electric mixer to beat cream cheese until silky smooth. Pour in sweetened condensed milk gradually while continuing to mix. Your goal is achieving a velvety, lump-free consistency that looks incredibly creamy.

Step 3: Enhance Flavor Profile

Add fresh lemon juice and vanilla extract to the cheesecake mixture. Stir gently until these ingredients blend completely, creating a bright and aromatic filling.

Step 4: Construct Gorgeous Parfait Layers

Gather clear serving cups for beautiful presentation. Layer ingredients carefully:
  • Graham cracker crumb base
  • Creamy cheesecake mixture
  • Cherry pie filling
  • Additional graham cracker sprinkle

Repeat layering process to create visually stunning parfaits with alternating textures and colors.

Step 5: Chill and Serve

Refrigerate parfaits for maximum flavor melding. Serve chilled and watch everyone’s eyes light up with delight. These parfaits can be prepared ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours before serving.

Pro Tips For Cherry Cheesecake Parfait Delight

  • Crush graham crackers finely for a smoother, more even crust texture that sticks together perfectly.
  • Use room temperature cream cheese to ensure a silky, lump-free cheesecake filling with maximum smoothness.
  • Fold in fresh cherries alongside pie filling for added brightness and natural fruit flavor if desired.
  • Refrigerate parfaits at least 2 hours before serving to allow layers to set and flavors to meld together beautifully.
  • Consider preparing these parfaits a day ahead for stress-free entertaining and enhanced taste development.

Different Versions Of Cherry Cheesecake Parfait Delight

  • Blueberry Bliss Parfait: Replace cherry pie filling with fresh blueberry compote, adding a tangy and vibrant berry flavor to the classic cheesecake parfait.
  • Chocolate Chip Cookie Crunch Parfait: Swap graham cracker crumbs with crushed chocolate chip cookies, creating a rich and indulgent dessert with extra texture.
  • Tropical Mango Passion Parfait: Substitute cherry filling with diced ripe mangoes and a drizzle of passion fruit sauce, bringing a sunny, exotic touch to the creamy cheesecake layers.
  • No-Bake Nutella Swirl Parfait: Mix Nutella into the cheesecake filling and top with crushed hazelnuts for a decadent, chocolatey version of the original recipe.

Serving Suggestions For Cherry Cheesecake Parfait Delight

  • Pair with Sweet White Wine: Riesling or Moscato beautifully complement the cherry and cream cheese flavors, offering a light, crisp balance to the rich dessert.
  • Match with Fresh Berry Garnish: Add fresh raspberries or blueberries alongside the parfait to enhance the fruit notes and provide a vibrant, tangy contrast.
  • Serve with Vanilla Bean Ice Cream: A scoop of creamy vanilla ice cream creates a luxurious counterpoint, amplifying the dessert's smooth texture and adding cool refreshment.
  • Combine with Sparkling Water: A chilled glass of lemon or raspberry sparkling water cuts through the richness, cleansing the palate between delightful bites of the parfait.

Storage Instructions For Cherry Cheesecake Parfait Delight

  • Store parfaits in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Cover each parfait with plastic wrap to prevent moisture and potential flavor absorption.
  • Wrap individual parfaits tightly in plastic wrap, then place in freezer-safe containers. Freeze for maximum 2 weeks. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.
  • These parfaits are best enjoyed cold. Avoid microwaving as the texture of cream cheese and graham cracker layers will become soggy and lose their delightful crunch.
  • If graham cracker layers become slightly soft after storage, sprinkle fresh crumbs on top just before serving to restore the original crispy texture.
Print
clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon
Cherry Cheesecake Parfait Delight Recipe

Cherry Cheesecake Parfait Delight Recipe


5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.7 from 32 reviews

  • Total Time: 15 minutes
  • Yield: 6 1x

Description

Indulgent cherry cheesecake parfait delights taste buds with layers of creamy cheesecake and luscious cherry compote. Sweet, tangy, and utterly irresistible, you’ll savor each spoonful of this heavenly dessert that promises pure bliss.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 1 (21-ounce) can cherry pie filling
  • 1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
  • 1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened

Crust Ingredients:

  • 1 cup graham cracker crumbs
  • 7 tablespoons butter, melted
  • 3 tablespoons granulated sugar

Additional Ingredients:

  • 1/2 cup lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

  1. Craft the foundation by blending graham cracker crumbs with sugar and melted butter until the mixture resembles coarse sand-like texture.
  2. Whip cream cheese in a mixing bowl until silky and smooth, ensuring no lumps remain.
  3. Gradually incorporate sweetened condensed milk into the cream cheese, stirring continuously to create a velvety consistency.
  4. Enhance the mixture with fresh lemon juice and vanilla extract, stirring until ingredients harmonize completely.
  5. Arrange clear plastic serving cups on a sturdy tray for easy preparation and transport.
  6. Gently press a layer of graham cracker mixture into the bottom of each cup, creating a compact base.
  7. Carefully spoon the initial cheesecake mixture over the crumb foundation, spreading evenly to cover the entire surface.
  8. Generously distribute cherry pie filling across the cheesecake layer, ensuring rich fruity coverage.
  9. Sprinkle additional graham cracker crumbs over the cherry layer for delightful texture and crunch.
  10. Add a second layer of cheesecake mixture, smoothing it carefully to create an elegant finish.
  11. Crown the parfaits with remaining cherry pie filling and a final dusting of graham cracker crumbs.
  12. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours to allow flavors to meld and texture to set. Serve chilled and enjoy within 24 hours for optimal taste and freshness.

Notes

  • Crumb Base Tip: Crush graham crackers finely for a smoother, more cohesive crust that holds together perfectly when layering.
  • Cheese Mixture Hack: Ensure cream cheese is at room temperature to prevent lumps and create a silky-smooth filling with zero graininess.
  • Cherry Layer Trick: Drain excess liquid from pie filling to prevent soggy layers and maintain the parfait’s beautiful texture and structure.
  • Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare these parfaits up to 24 hours in advance, allowing flavors to meld and saving precious time before serving guests.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 0 minutes
  • Category: Desserts
  • Method: No cooking method
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 6
  • Calories: 430 kcal
  • Sugar: 43 g
  • Sodium: 220 mg
  • Fat: 23 g
  • Saturated Fat: 14 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
  • Trans Fat: 0.5 g
  • Carbohydrates: 49 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 5 g
  • Cholesterol: 65 mg
Samantha Lee

Samantha Lee

Recipe Developer & Content Creator

Expertise

Plant-based and vegetarian recipes, Recipe testing and development, Food blogging and digital content creation, Culinary education and workshops​

Education

Oregon Culinary Institute (Portland, OR)

  • Program: Diploma in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Emphasized plant-based cooking, global cuisines, and recipe testing methodologies.​

Samantha sees cooking like painting, every fresh herb, every juicy tomato, a new splash of color on a canvas.
After graduating from Oregon Culinary Institute, she blended her love of global cuisines and plant-based cooking into recipes that feel fresh, fearless, and full of heart.
Samantha’s kitchen is a place where comfort food gets a modern remix and every meal feels like a little adventure. When she’s not cooking, she’s out exploring farmers’ markets, sketching new recipe ideas, or getting her hands dirty in a community garden.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe rating 5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star