This no-bake chocolate cherry cream pie quickly became a family favorite. My kids love it, my husband loves it, and I love that it takes minimal effort but delivers maximum flavor. There have been countless birthdays, picnics, and potlucks where this pie has been the star of the show. It’s funny, isn’t it? Sometimes the best recipes are the ones that come about by accident or out of sheer necessity.

I had a real “aha” moment when I realized you could get that amazing taste without all the fuss. No more slaving over a hot oven! This no-bake chocolate cherry cream pie is perfect for my busy family life.

Seriously, trust me, once you try this no-bake chocolate cherry cream pie, you’ll be hooked. It’s so good and such a crowd pleaser that you’ll be making it all the time!

Ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need to whip up this delightful treat:

1 (14.3 ounce) package chocolate graham crackers, finely crushed (about 1 1/2 cups)
6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips, melted and cooled slightly
1 (21 ounce) can cherry pie filling
1 cup heavy cream
2 tablespoons powdered sugar
Chocolate shavings for garnish (optional)

I always use full-fat cream cheese for my no-bake chocolate cherry cream pie. It gives the filling that rich, creamy texture that everyone loves. You can find chocolate graham crackers at almost any grocery store. When making no-bake chocolate cherry cream pie, if you want to cut back a bit on the sweetness you can always use tart cherries.

Tips and Tricks

Here’s a no-bake chocolate cherry cream pie trick I learned from my mom: put the graham crackers in a zip-top bag and crush them with a rolling pin. It’s so much easier (and more therapeutic!) than using a food processor. For busy families making no-bake chocolate cherry cream pie, you can prep the crust and filling a day ahead of time and assemble the pie just before serving. To save on ingredients, buy store-brand graham crackers and sweetened condensed milk. They taste just as good!

Store any leftover no-bake chocolate cherry cream pie in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Make sure to cover it tightly to prevent it from drying out.

How to Make – Step-by-Step

Follow these easy steps to create your own no-bake masterpiece:

In a medium bowl, combine the crushed chocolate graham crackers and melted butter. Mix well until the crumbs are evenly moistened. Press the mixture into the bottom of a 9-inch pie plate. This will be your crust.
In a large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until smooth and creamy. This is a crucial step to get the right consistancy.
Gradually add the sweetened condensed milk and vanilla extract to the cream cheese, beating until well combined. Make sure there are no lumps!
Gently fold in the melted and cooled chocolate chips into the cream cheese mixture. Be careful not to overmix, as you want to keep the mixture light and airy.
Pour the chocolate cream cheese filling into the prepared graham cracker crust. Spread evenly with a spatula.
Evenly spread the cherry pie filling over the chocolate cream cheese layer. Make sure to distribute the cherries evenly for the best flavor in every bite.
In a separate bowl, whip the heavy cream with the powdered sugar until stiff peaks form. This whipped cream will be the perfect topping for your pie.
Spread the whipped cream evenly over the cherry pie filling. Or, if you’re feeling fancy, you can pipe it on with a pastry bag.
Sprinkle chocolate shavings over the whipped cream for garnish, if desired.
Cover the pie with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or preferably overnight, to allow the filling to set completely.

Don’t worry if your no-bake chocolate cherry cream pie looks a little uneven at first. It will all come together once it’s chilled. I learned the hard way with no-bake chocolate cherry cream pie that chilling time is essential for the perfect texture. In my kitchen, no-bake chocolate cherry cream pie usually takes about 6 hours to fully set, but overnight is always best.

While the no-bake chocolate cherry cream pie is chilling, I like to clean up the kitchen and maybe catch up on a book. Your no-bake chocolate cherry cream pie should smell like sweet chocolate and cherries when it’s ready to serve. One family tested no-bake chocolate cherry cream pie shortcut is to buy pre-made whipped cream. It’s not quite as good as homemade, but it saves a ton of time!

Serving Suggestions

The kids love our no-bake chocolate cherry cream pie when I serve it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. It’s the perfect complement to the rich chocolate and sweet cherries. I also love to serve this pie with a dollop of extra whipped cream and a sprinkle of cocoa powder. This no-bake chocolate cherry cream pie is perfect for summer barbecues, holiday gatherings, or just a simple weeknight dessert. I find presentation is key to the reception of the dish. So think about how it looks.

If you have extra no-bake chocolate cherry cream pie, you can freeze it for up to a month. Just wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and then in foil. When you’re ready to eat it, thaw it in the refrigerator overnight. One seasonal no-bake chocolate cherry cream pie variation I’ve tried is using fresh cherries instead of canned pie filling. It’s a bit more work, but the flavor is incredible!

My friends always ask for this no-bake chocolate cherry cream pie recipe. So I figured I should just post it online!

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a different type of crust? Absolutely! If you’re not a fan of chocolate graham crackers, you can use regular graham crackers, Oreo cookies (without the filling), or even a pre-made shortbread crust. You know what I do when my no-bake chocolate cherry cream pie I like to change up the crusts for each holiday.
Can I use a different type of fruit filling? Of course! This recipe is delicious with blueberry, raspberry, or even apple pie filling. My family always likes a new type of filling.
Can I make this pie ahead of time? Yes, you can! In fact, I recommend making it at least 4 hours ahead of time to allow the filling to set properly. It will keep in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Can I freeze this pie? Yes, you can freeze this pie for up to a month. Just wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and then in foil. Thaw it in the refrigerator overnight before serving.
My filling is too runny. What did I do wrong? This usually happens if the cream cheese isn’t softened enough or if you didn’t let the pie chill long enough. Make sure your cream cheese is at room temperature before you start, and be patient – the pie needs time to set. My no-bake chocolate cherry cream pie took a while to get right so don’t give up.
Can I use low-fat cream cheese? I wouldn’t recommend it. Low-fat cream cheese doesn’t have the same rich, creamy texture as full-fat cream cheese, and it might not set properly.
My crust is too crumbly. How can I fix it? Make sure you’re using enough melted butter to moisten the graham cracker crumbs. You can also add a tablespoon or two of water to help bind the crumbs together.

Final Thoughts

This no-bake chocolate cherry cream pie recipe holds a special place in my heart because it’s a reminder that the best things in life are often the simplest. It’s a dessert that brings people together, and it’s always a hit, no matter the occasion. So, ditch the oven, grab your ingredients, and get ready to whip up this amazing pie!

Pro Tips

Use high-quality chocolate chips for the best flavor.
Don’t overmix the filling, or it will become dense.
Chill the pie for at least 4 hours, or preferably overnight, for the best texture.

Some no-bake chocolate cherry cream pie variations I’ve tried with my family include adding a layer of chopped nuts to the crust, drizzling the top with melted white chocolate, or topping the pie with fresh whipped cream and a sprinkle of cocoa powder. My husband loves the version with chopped walnuts in the crust, while my kids prefer the one with white chocolate drizzle. The goal is to make your own no-bake chocolate cherry cream pie!

I hope you enjoy making this no-bake chocolate cherry cream pie as much as I do. It’s a delicious and easy dessert that’s sure to become a family favorite. Now, go ahead and give it a try. I promise you won’t regret it!

No-Bake Chocolate Cherry Cream Pie: A Family Favorite

Print Recipe

This easy no-bake chocolate cherry cream pie is the perfect dessert for any occasion! It’s rich, decadent, and requires no oven time.

Author: Zoubida
Prep Time: 20
Total Time: 20
Yield: 8 servings
Category: Dessert
Method: No-Bake
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale

1 (9-inch) chocolate cookie crumb pie crust
8 ounces cream cheese, softened
1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup heavy cream
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 (21 ounce) can cherry pie filling
Chocolate shavings, for garnish (optional)

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Instructions

In a large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until smooth.
Gradually beat in the sweetened condensed milk and vanilla extract until well combined.
In a separate bowl, whip the heavy cream until stiff peaks form.
Gently fold the whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture.
Divide the cream cheese mixture in half. In one half, stir in the cocoa powder.
Pour the chocolate cream mixture into the chocolate cookie crumb pie crust.
Top with the cherry pie filling, spreading evenly.
Dollop the remaining cream cheese mixture over the cherry pie filling.
Sprinkle with chocolate shavings, if desired.
Refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or preferably overnight, before serving.

Notes

For a richer chocolate flavor, use dark cocoa powder. You can substitute a graham cracker crust if preferred. Feel free to add other toppings like whipped cream or chopped nuts.