If you’ve been around here for a while, you know how much I love cheesecake. Cheesecake recipes are some of my very favorite things to make.

One of my favorites is cherry cheesecake. It’s such a classic, and there’s just something special about the combination of tangy, silky cheesecake and sweet cherries.

But I don’t always have the time or energy to make a fully cheesecake from scratch, which is when I like to come up with ways to capture those same flavors with much less effort.

This layered cherry cheesecake dessert fits the bill perfectly. It’s cool, creamy, and delicious, looking totally fancy with all of the aesthetic layers.

What is Layered Cherry Cheesecake Dessert?

Yes, I’m back with another layered dessert. You had to know it was going to happen!

These layered desserts are so much fun. They’re easy to make and look so impressive, allowing you to see all of the layers in every slice.

Not only that, but I classify this as a “low-bake” dessert—after baking the crust for just 15 minutes, everything else is no-bake. Perfect for those days when you don’t want to heat up the oven for hours!

This version features the classic cookie-like crust from my layered lemon dessert, followed by a fluffy cream cheese layer, a cheesecake pudding layer, a layer of cherry pie filling, and a final topping of whipped cream. It delivers all the tangy goodness of cherry cheesecake without the excessive work.

How to Make This Recipe

Don’t let the multiple layers intimidate you—this layered cherry cheesecake dessert is simple to create! Let’s break it down.

Ingredients and Substitutions

You’ll need the following ingredients:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
• 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
• Pinch of salt
• 8 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
• 16 ounces frozen whipped topping (Cool Whip or TruWhip), thawed
• 2 (3.4-ounce) packages instant cheesecake pudding mix
• 2 ½ cups whole milk
• 2 (21-ounce) cans of cherry pie filling

If whipped topping isn’t your preference, you can substitute it with stabilized whipped cream frosting, which will hold up better during chilling. However, avoid plain whipped cream as it tends not to keep well over time.

To simplify the process, I typically grab a couple of cans of cherry pie filling from the store. I look for brands that contain “extra cherries.” But if you have some homemade cherry pie filling on hand, do use that—it would be delightful!

Helpful Resources

Ensure your crust turns out perfectly by measuring flour correctly before starting. Also, for the best results, make sure your butter and cream cheese are at room temperature. If you forget to set them out ahead of time, my tips on how to soften butter, and how to soften cream cheese will be helpful.

If you run out of powdered sugar while making the cream cheese layer, don’t worry! You can easily prepare your own powdered sugar using my instructions available on the blog.

Making Layered Cherry Cheesecake Dessert

The first layer of this dessert is the crust.

Begin by lining a 13×9-inch pan with parchment paper and spritzing it with nonstick spray.

In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, mix the flour, butter, granulated sugar, and salt until just combined. The mixture should appear crumbly—that’s perfectly fine.

Press the crust mixture evenly into the bottom of the lined pan using your hands or the bottom of a measuring cup. Once firmly pressed, bake for 15 minutes or until golden brown. Allow the crust to cool completely before proceeding to the next step.

For the cream cheese layer, beat together the cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla until smooth and creamy. Switch to a rubber spatula to fold in half of the whipped topping, then layer this mixture over the cooled crust.

Next, whisk together the pudding mixes and milk. Allow the mixture to thicken for about 5 minutes before spreading it over the cream cheese layer.

Evenly spread the cherry pie filling on top of the pudding layer, then finish with the remaining whipped topping. Cover and refrigerate for at least 6 hours before cutting and serving.

More Cherry-Cheesecake-Inspired Recipes

Enjoyed this layered cherry cheesecake dessert? You’re in luck because creating cherry cheesecake desserts is one of my favorite pastimes! Check out these recipes to indulge in more delightful combinations of cream cheese and cherry pie filling: