Description
This no-bake Chocolate Cherry Cream Pie is a luscious dessert combining a pre-baked or graham cracker crust with layers of sweet cherry pie filling, creamy chocolate pudding, and whipped topping. Perfectly garnished with chocolate chips and maraschino cherries, it’s a delightful treat that requires minimal preparation and is ideal for any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
Crust
- 1 9-inch pie crust, pre-baked or graham cracker
Filling
- 1 can (21 oz) cherry pie filling
- 1 package (3.9 oz) instant chocolate pudding mix
- 1 ½ cups cold whole milk
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 container (8 oz) whipped topping, divided
Topping
- ½ cup chocolate chips
- 12 maraschino cherries, for garnish
Instructions
- Pre-bake and prepare crust: Pre-bake your 9-inch pie crust according to package or recipe directions and allow it to cool completely. If using a graham cracker crust, press it firmly into a pie dish and chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to set.
- Layer cherry pie filling: Spread the entire can of cherry pie filling evenly across the bottom of the cooled pie crust, creating a flavorful base layer.
- Make cream cheese mixture: In a medium bowl, beat together the softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth and free of lumps.
- Prepare chocolate pudding: In a separate bowl, whisk the instant chocolate pudding mix with the cold whole milk until the pudding thickens, usually about 2 minutes.
- Combine pudding and cream cheese: Gently fold the thickened chocolate pudding into the cream cheese mixture until well incorporated, then fold in half of the whipped topping to lighten the texture.
- Add chocolate cream layer: Spread this chocolate cream mixture evenly over the cherry pie filling layer in the crust.
- Top with whipped topping: Spread the remaining whipped topping smoothly over the chocolate cream layer, creating a clean, even surface.
- Garnish: Decorate the pie surface with chocolate chips and arrange maraschino cherries evenly across the top for a festive look.
- Chill: Place the pie in the refrigerator and chill for at least 3 hours or preferably overnight to allow the filling to set perfectly before slicing and serving.
Notes
- Use cold milk for the pudding to ensure it thickens properly.
- For a quicker option, use a pre-made graham cracker crust to skip the baking step.
- Chilling the pie overnight enhances the flavors and texture.
- To reduce sweetness, you may use sugar-free cherry pie filling or sugar-free pudding mix.
- Decorations like extra chocolate shavings or nuts can be added for more texture.
