Cherry Yum Yum
Cherry Yum Yum is a classic layered dessert made in a 9×13 pan with a buttery pecan graham cracker crust, fluffy cream cheese filling, cherry pie topping, and homemade whipped cream.
Servings: 12 servings
Calories: 622kcal
Ingredients
Pecan Graham Cracker Crust
- 18 graham cracker sheets 2 ¼ cups crumbs 2 packets
- 1 cup whole pecans
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- ¾ cup salted butter melted
- **½ teaspoon salt only if using unsalted butter
Cream Cheese Layer
- 16 ounces block cream cheese softened
- 1 ½ cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon almond extract
Cherry Layer
- 2 - 21 ounce cans of cherry pie filling
Whipped Cream Topping
- 2 cups heavy whipping cream cold
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Garnish
- 2-3 tablespoons graham crackers 1-2 cracker sheets
Instructions
Make the Crust
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- In the bowl of your food processor, add the pecans. Pulse to create finely cut pecans. Place them in a bowl and set aside.
- Add the graham cracker sheets to the bowl of your food processor. Pulse to create crumbs.
- Add the pecans back into the bowl of your food processor, followed by the granulated sugar. If using unsalted butter, add ½ teaspoon of salt to the mixture. Pulse to mix together.
- Add the melted butter, pulsing until the mixture comes together.
- Turn the crumb mixture into a 9x13 baking dish. Press firmly.
- Bake for 8-10 minutes until lightly golden and fragrant.
- Cool completely before heading to the next step. About 45 minutes.
Cream Cheese Layer
- To a mixing bowl, add the cream cheese. Beat until completely smooth.
- Add the 1 ½ cups of powdered sugar, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, and almond extract.
- Beat until well combined.
- Set your mixer to medium and beat the mixture for 3 minutes until light and fluffy.
- Spread evenly over the cooled crust, making sure to touch the edges of the pan.
Cherry Layer
- Spoon the cherry pie filling evenly over the cream cheese layer. Spreading gently without pressing it down (this helps create clean layers).
Whipped Cream Topping
- In a chilled bowl, whip the heavy cream to soft peaks.
- Add the remaining powdered sugar and vanilla extract.
- Continue to whip to stiff and smooth peaks.
- Spread evenly over the cherry layer.
- Chill, garnish, and serve
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours to overnight (recommended).
- Lightly sprinkle the remaining graham cracker crumbs over the whipped cream layer before serving.
Notes
- Mixing the cream cheese layer for a few extra minutes creates a noticeably lighter, fluffier texture.
- Chilling overnight produces the cleanest slices and the most defined layers.
Nutrition
Serving: 1serving | Calories: 622kcal | Carbohydrates: 47g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 47g | Saturated Fat: 25g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 14g | Trans Fat: 0.5g | Cholesterol: 114mg | Sodium: 376mg | Potassium: 168mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 32g | Vitamin A: 1450IU | Vitamin C: 0.3mg | Calcium: 91mg | Iron: 1mg
