No-Bake Pineapple Cream Dessert
Ingredients
Crust
-
2 cups graham cracker crumbs
-
½ cup melted butter
-
2 tbsp sugar (optional)
Cream Layer
-
8 oz cream cheese, softened
-
½ cup powdered sugar
-
8 oz whipped topping (Cool Whip), thawed
Pineapple Layer
-
1 can (20 oz) crushed pineapple, VERY well drained
-
1 box (3.4 oz) instant vanilla pudding mix
Topping (optional but great)
-
Extra whipped topping
-
Toasted coconut or chopped nuts
-
Maraschino cherries
Instructions
1. Make the Crust
-
Mix graham crumbs, melted butter, and sugar
-
Press firmly into a 9×13 dish
-
Chill 10–15 minutes
2. Cream Layer
-
Beat cream cheese and powdered sugar until smooth
-
Fold in whipped topping
-
Spread evenly over crust
3. Pineapple Layer
-
In a bowl, mix drained pineapple with dry pudding mix
(no milk!) -
Spread gently over cream layer
4. Chill
-
Refrigerate at least 4 hours, overnight is even better
5. Finish
-
Top with whipped topping and garnishes before serving
Pro Tips
-
Drain pineapple like your life depends on it (press with paper towels)
-
Want it firmer? Add ½ tsp unflavored gelatin to cream layer
-
For extra tang, add a little lemon zest to the cream cheese
Variations
-
Pineapple-Coconut: add shredded coconut to crust
-
Cherry-Pineapple: add cherry pie filling on top
-
Lighter version: use low-fat cream cheese + sugar-free pudding