Cherries in the Snow Recipe
OMG u guys! This cherries in the snow recipe is seriously the BEST no-bake dessert ever!!! I literally make it for like every family thing & ppl go crazy for it. My mom’s friend Janet taught me how to make it when I was like 17 & i’ve been obsessed ever since.
its sooo easy – just layer some stuff in a pan, stick it in the fridge, and boom! u got this amazing dessert that looks like u spent hours on it. the red cherries on top of the white cream is why its called “cherries in the snow” (duh lol) and its pretty enough for instagram but easy enough for a tuesday night.
keep reading cuz im gonna share all my secrets for making this vintage dessert perfect every time!
Why u Need to Try This Cherries in the Snow Recipe ASAP!!
ok so last thanksgiving my oven decided to DIE right when i was supposed to be making dessert. PANIC!!! but then i remembered this cherries in the snow dessert recipe that doesnt need an oven. saved the whole day tbh.
the best thing about this recipe is u can totally customize it based on what u have. no graham crackers? whatever just use oreos with the filling scraped out. cream cheese not soft? microwave that sucker for like 15 secs.
i’ve made this for work potlucks, family dinners, random tuesdays… its always gone in like 5 mins flat. and ppl who “don’t like dessert” (who r these ppl??) always end up having seconds. its just that good!
Stuff U Need for This Old Fashioned Cherries in the Snow Recipe
For the Bottom Part:
- 2 cups graham cracker crumbs – buy em crushed or smash em yourself in a ziploc
- 1/2 cup butter, melted – i use salted cuz thats what i usually have
- 1/4 cup sugar – just regular white sugar nothing fancy
For the White Fluffy Part:
- 2 blocks (8 oz each) cream cheese – GOTTA be room temp or ull be fighting lumps forever
- 1 cup powdered sugar – dont pack it down just scoop and level
- 2 tsp vanilla – the real stuff is better but whatevs use what u have
- 1 tub (8 oz) cool whip – dont use the extra creamy kind it gets too soft
For the Cherry Part:
- 2 cans (21 oz each) cherry pie filling – comstock is my fave but any brand works
- choc shavings if ur feeling fancy – just use a veggie peeler on a hersheys bar
if ur dairy-free my cousin makes this with tofutti cream cheese and coconut whipped cream and says its pretty good. not the same but still yummy.
How to Make this Cherries in the Snow Recipe (so easy!!)
Step 1: The Bottom Layer
- mix graham crumbs, butter & sugar in a bowl till it looks like wet sand
- press it HARD into a 9×13 pan – use the bottom of a cup to really pack it down
- stick it in the fridge while u do the next part. dont skip this!!
Step 2: The Creamy Part
- beat the cream cheese like ur mad at it until super smooth (3-4 mins with mixer)
- dump in powdered sugar & vanilla, keep mixing till no lumps
- fold in the cool whip with a spatula NOT the mixer or itll get flat
- spread this over the crust – try to make it even but dont stress too much
Step 3: The Cherry Part
- open the cherry cans & spoon the filling all over top
- spread it around gentle so u dont mix the layers
- if ur using chocolate, sprinkle it now
- cover with plastic & refrigerate at LEAST 3 hrs but overnight is 100x better
when u slice it, wipe the knife between cuts to keep the pieces looking pretty. or just dig in with a spoon, no judgement lol.
Other Ways to Make This Cherries in the Snow Recipe
Chocolate Version
use chocolate grahams for the crust & mix 3 tbsp cocoa powder into the cream cheese. sooooo good with the cherries!
Berry Explosion
use strawberry pie filling instead of cherry. or do half strawberry half blueberry for 4th of july!
Pineapple Snow
use crushed pineapple (drained SUPER well) instead of cherries. add shredded coconut on top. tastes like being on vacation!
Crunchy Twist
add 1/2 cup crushed pecans to the crust & sprinkle more on top. the texture is amazing!
Mini Party Cups
make in clear plastic cups instead of a big pan – layer the same way. looks fancy & no cutting needed!
Quick Version
use store bought graham cracker crust if ur super in a hurry. not as good but works in a pinch!
Cherries in the Snow Recipe
Equipment
- 9×13 inch baking dish
- Electric mixer
- Mixing bowls
- Spatula
- Measuring cups & spoons
- Plastic wrap
Ingredients
For the Crust:
- 2 cups graham cracker crumbs
- 1/2 cup melted butter
- 1/4 cup white sugar
For the Cream Layer:
- 2 8 oz blocks cream cheese, room temperature
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 8 oz tub Cool Whip
For the Topping:
- 2 21 oz cans cherry pie filling
- Optional: chocolate shavings for garnish
Instructions
- Bottom Layer:
- Mix graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, and sugar in a bowl until combined like wet sand.
- Press firmly into a 9×13 pan using a flat-bottomed glass or cup.
- Chill in the fridge while making the next layer.
- Cream Layer: 4. Beat cream cheese until smooth and fluffy (about 3–4 minutes).
- Add powdered sugar and vanilla, mix until fully incorporated.
- Gently fold in Cool Whip using a spatula (not the mixer).
- Spread evenly over the crust.
- Cherry Layer: 8. Spoon cherry pie filling over the cream layer, spreading gently to avoid mixing layers.
- Sprinkle with chocolate shavings if using.
- Cover and chill for at least 3 hours, preferably overnight.
Notes
Nutrition
Questions Ppl Always Ask About this Recipe
What was cherries in the snow 1953?
back in the 50s cherries in the snow was this super popular dessert for housewives to make. kinda like how everyone was making that feta pasta on tiktok last year lol. the original 1953 version used this weird milk gelatin thing for the white part & had cherries on top. our version now with cream cheese is WAY better trust me. my grandma says so too and she was actually alive back then!
Who wore Revlon cherries in the snow?
so theres this famous lipstick with the same name! all the movie stars from back in the day wore it – marilyn monroe, elizabeth taylor, all those ladies. its this super pretty red color that looks good on everyone. kinda cool that a dessert & a lipstick have the same name right?? both r that perfect bright red color!
Can you get cherries in the winter?
fresh cherries? not unless u wanna pay like $15 for a tiny bag of imported ones lol. thats why this recipe is so clutch – it uses canned cherry pie filling u can get ANY time of year! perfect for making cherries in the snow recipe during actual snow season at christmas & new years.
What undertone are cherries in the snow?
if ur talking about the dessert, its got this creamy vanilla undertone from the cream cheese that makes the cherry flavor pop. if ur talking bout the lipstick, its a cool-toned pinkish red that looks amazing on fair skin. either way its all about that contrast between white & red!
What color are Revlon cherries in the snow?
its this gorgeous bright pinkish-red thats been around forever. my nana still wears it!! funny enough its pretty much EXACTLY the same color as the cherries in our dessert! that bright red against white is why both got the same name – looks just like cherries sitting on fresh snow.
Can I make this cherries in the snow recipe no bake ahead of time?
DEFINITELY! its actually better if u make it the day before u need it. gives everything time to set up right & the flavors to mix together. i always make it the night before parties. just keep it covered in the fridge & itll stay good for like 3-4 days but honestly itll be gone wayyy before then lol.
Can i use homemade whipped cream instead of cool whip?
ive tried this and honestly dont recommend it. real whipped cream breaks down faster & the dessert gets soupy after a day. cool whip has stabilizers that keep it fluffy. if ur anti-cool whip u can try whipping cream with some gelatin mixed in to help it stay firm. but for the easiest cherries in the snow recipe pioneer woman or anyone would approve, stick with cool whip!
My Final Thoughts on this Cherries in the Snow Cake Recipe
ngl everytime i make this cherries in the snow dessert recipe it brings back SO many memories. my aunt used to make it every christmas eve & wed all fight over the last piece. now my kids do the same thing!
theres something so special about how the tart cherries, sweet cream, & crunchy crust all work together. its not super fancy or complicated but sometimes the simplest desserts r the best ones, u know??
dont worry if ur not a great baker – this recipe is basically foolproof. u can mess up a few steps & it still turns out delish! thats why its been around since forever & still shows up at potlucks everywhere.
if ur looking for more easy but impressive treats, check out our CREAM CHEESE BROWNIES or our STRAWBERRY CRUNCH CHEESECAKE. and our BANANA PUDDING ICE CREAM is another no-bake wonder for summer!
for something a bit fancier (but still not hard i promise), try the FRENCH CHEESECAKE or MARBLE CAKE. and if ur feeling adventurous, the TEMPURA CHEESECAKE or SWEET CORN ICE CREAM will totally blow ur mind!
but between us, this easy homemade cherries in the snow recipe might just be the best thing on our whole site. sometimes the OG classics r classics for a reason ya know? give it a try & let me know what u think!!!