Cherries in the Snow is a delightful dessert that combines the vibrant red of cherries against a backdrop of creamy white, creating a stunning visual contrast that’s as beautiful as a winter landscape. This nostalgic treat brings together sweet cherry filling nestled on a bed of velvety cream cheese mixture, all atop a buttery graham cracker crust.
Perfect for holidays, family gatherings, or whenever you need a simple yet impressive dessert, this recipe strikes the perfect balance between sweet and tangy flavors. The best part? It requires minimal baking, making it accessible even for novice bakers!
Why You’ll Love This
- Semi-homemade convenience with only 45 minutes of total preparation time
- Beautiful presentation that looks far more complicated than it actually is
- Make-ahead friendly – perfect for planning dinner parties or holiday meals
- Adaptable for different seasons by swapping out the fruit topping
- Crowd-pleasing flavor combination that appeals to both kids and adults
Ingredients
- 8 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1/2 cup 2% milk
- 12 ounces Cool Whip whipped topping, thawed
- 1 pre-baked 9-inch angel food cake
- 2 cans cherry pie filling (21 ounces each)
Instructions
- In a large bowl, use a hand mixer to whip the cream cheese and powdered sugar until creamy. Mix in 1/4 cup of milk until smooth, then add the remaining 1/4 cup milk and mix again.
- Gently fold in the Cool Whip until fully incorporated into the cream cheese mixture.
- Break the angel food cake into small pieces and fold them into the whipped mixture until well combined.
- Spoon the cake mixture into a 9×13 glass baking pan and spread it evenly.
- Spread the cherry pie filling evenly on top of the cake mixture. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.
Tips & Variations
- For a no-bake version, use a pre-made graham cracker crust.
- Try other fruit toppings like blueberry, strawberry, or mixed berry pie filling.
- Add 1/2 teaspoon of almond extract to the cream cheese mixture for a complementary flavor to the cherries.
- For a lighter version, use reduced-fat cream cheese and light whipped topping.
- Create individual servings in clear glasses or ramekins for an elegant presentation.
- Sprinkle with white chocolate shavings for an extra “snow” effect.
Serving Suggestions
Serve Cherries in the Snow chilled, cutting into squares for a casual gathering or scooping into dessert bowls for a more formal presentation. For an extra special touch, add a small dollop of whipped cream on top of each serving and a fresh mint leaf for color contrast.
This dessert pairs beautifully with coffee, hot chocolate, or a sweet dessert wine like Moscato d’Asti. For a complete dessert spread, offer this alongside chocolate-based treats for a nice flavor variety.
Notes
- Store covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- The dessert is best served cold; remove from refrigerator just before serving.
- For cleaner slices, dip your knife in hot water and wipe clean between cuts.
- This dessert does not freeze well due to the texture changes in the cream layer.
FAQs
Can I use homemade cherry filling instead of canned?
Absolutely! Homemade cherry filling works wonderfully. Just make sure it’s cooled completely before adding it to the cream layer.
Can I make this dessert a day ahead?
Yes, this is an excellent make-ahead dessert. In fact, it benefits from chilling overnight as the flavors meld together beautifully.
My cream cheese layer seems too soft. What went wrong?
Make sure your cream cheese is properly softened but not melted, and that your whipped topping is thawed but still cold. If it’s still too soft, refrigerate the mixture for 15-20 minutes before spreading.
Is there a gluten-free option for the crust?
Yes! Simply substitute the graham crackers with gluten-free graham crackers or cookies, or try a crust made from crushed gluten-free vanilla cookies mixed with melted butter.
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