Cherry Pie Graham Cracker has always been my go-to dessert when I want something sweet, simple, and utterly delicious. I fondly remember my mom making a version of this for summer picnics, the sweet scent of baked cherries mingling with the buttery graham cracker crust filling the air. It’s such an easy cherry pie graham cracker crust to whip up, perfect for those busy weeknights or when you need a crowd-pleasing treat without a fuss. This graham cracker crust cherry pie is so satisfying, I know you’ll love it too. Let’s get cooking!
Why You’ll Love This Cherry Pie Graham Cracker
- The delightful balance of sweet, tart cherries and a buttery, crisp graham cracker crust is pure bliss.
- It’s incredibly quick to prepare, with minimal prep time making it perfect for busy schedules.
- While it’s a treat, the fruit-forward nature makes it a slightly lighter dessert option.
- This recipe is wonderfully budget-friendly, using common pantry staples.
- It’s a guaranteed hit with kids and adults alike, making it a fantastic family-friendly dessert.
- This cherry graham cracker dessert is so versatile, it works for potlucks, holidays, or just a Tuesday night.
- As a delightful cherry graham cracker dessert, it’s a no-fuss way to impress your guests.
Ingredients for Cherry Pie Graham Cracker
This recipe for a cherry pie with graham cracker crust comes together with simple, accessible ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need:
- 2 cups graham cracker crumbs – This forms the base of our delightful crust.
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar – Mixed with the crumbs for a touch of sweetness in the crust.
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted – This binds the crumbs together for a sturdy, flavorful crust.
- 2 cans (21 ounces each) cherry pie filling – The star of the show, providing that classic sweet and tart cherry flavor.
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar – Added to the filling to enhance the cherry sweetness.
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch – This thickens the cherry filling, giving it that perfect pie consistency.
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice – Brightens the cherry flavor and adds a hint of tartness.
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract – A touch of vanilla rounds out the flavors beautifully.
How to Make Cherry Pie Graham Cracker
Creating this delicious cherry pie graham cracker dessert is simpler than you might think! We’ll start by getting our oven ready and then focus on building that perfect crust.
- Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures the crust bakes evenly and gets that lovely golden hue.
- Step 2: In a medium bowl, combine 2 cups graham cracker crumbs and 1/4 cup granulated sugar. This simple mix is the foundation of our homemade cherry pie graham cracker base.
- Step 3: Pour in 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted, and stir until all the crumbs are nicely moistened. You want it to look like wet sand – that’s the perfect texture for pressing.
- Step 4: Press this crumb mixture evenly into the bottom and up the sides of a 9-inch pie plate. Take your time to create a sturdy and attractive graham cracker crust for our pie.
- Step 5: Bake the graham cracker crust for 8-10 minutes, or until it’s lightly golden and smells wonderfully toasty. Once baked, remove it from the oven and let it cool completely. This cooling step is crucial for a firm crust.
- Step 6: While the crust cools, prepare the filling. In a saucepan, whisk together 2 cans (21 ounces each) cherry pie filling, 1/4 cup granulated sugar, 2 tablespoons cornstarch, and 1 tablespoon lemon juice.
- Step 7: Cook this mixture over medium heat, stirring constantly. You’ll see it start to bubble and thicken beautifully, creating that luscious pie filling.
- Step 8: Remove the pan from the heat and stir in 1 teaspoon vanilla extract. The aroma is amazing!
- Step 9: Pour the warm, thickened cherry pie filling into the completely cooled graham cracker crust. Spread it evenly.
- Step 10: Chill the pie in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours. This allows the filling to set properly, making it a perfect no bake cherry pie graham cracker treat ready to slice and enjoy.
Pro Tips for the Best Cherry Pie Graham Cracker
To elevate your dessert game and ensure a truly fantastic cherry pie graham cracker, I’ve got a few tried-and-true tips:
- Make sure your graham cracker crust is completely cool before adding the filling. This prevents a soggy bottom and helps it set properly.
- Don’t over-bake the crust; just a few minutes until lightly golden is perfect. Over-baking can make it too hard to slice.
- For an extra layer of flavor, you can add a pinch of cinnamon to the graham cracker crumb mixture.
- Chill the pie for the full recommended time. Patience is key for that perfect texture.
What’s the secret to perfect cherry pie graham cracker crust?
The secret to a perfect graham cracker crust cherry pie is the right ratio of crumbs to butter and sugar, pressed firmly and cooled completely. This ensures a sturdy, delicious base that holds up to the filling. For more baking tips, check out these bread secrets.
Can I make cherry pie graham cracker ahead of time?
Yes! You can prepare the graham cracker crust and the cherry filling separately a day in advance. Store the cooled crust covered at room temperature and the filling chilled in the refrigerator. Assemble before serving. If you’re looking for other make-ahead desserts, consider these nutter butter bars.
How do I avoid common mistakes with cherry pie graham cracker?
A common pitfall is a soggy crust; ensure it’s fully cooled before filling. Another is not chilling the pie long enough – give it at least two hours so the filling sets properly. For other dessert tips, you might find these cosmic brownie bites helpful.
Best Ways to Serve Cherry Pie Graham Cracker
This delightful cherry pie graham cracker is fantastic on its own, but serving it with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream truly takes it to the next level. For a truly special occasion, consider pairing a slice of this cherry pie dessert graham cracker with a light dusting of powdered sugar or a sprig of fresh mint. The sweet and tart cherry filling combined with the buttery crust is a classic combination that never disappoints, making it a perfect end to any meal.
Nutrition Facts for Cherry Pie Graham Cracker
When you’re enjoying a slice of this delicious cherry pie graham cracker, here’s a look at what you can expect per serving. This information helps you understand the nutritional breakdown of this classic dessert. For more dessert options, try these churro saltine toffee.
- Calories: 350
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Protein: 3g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 3g
- Sugar: 35g
- Sodium: 150mg
Nutritional values are estimates and may vary based on specific ingredients used.
How to Store and Reheat Cherry Pie Graham Cracker
Once your delicious cherry pie graham cracker is cooled, proper storage is key to maintaining its freshness. For the best results, let the pie cool completely at room temperature before covering it. You can store this delightful dessert in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. If you want to keep it longer, freezing is a great option for this graham cracker cherry pie bake. Wrap individual slices tightly in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil, and freeze for up to 3 months. To reheat, you can gently warm a slice in a low oven (around 300°F or 150°C) for about 10-15 minutes, or microwave it for a quick 20-30 seconds until just warmed through.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cherry Pie Graham Cracker
What’s the best way to get a nice cherry pie graham cracker topping?
For a beautiful cherry pie graham cracker topping, I like to sprinkle a little extra graham cracker crumb mixture over the top just before baking the crust. Some people also like to add a sprinkle of toasted coconut or some extra sugar for a crunchy topping. It really makes the presentation pop!
Can I make mini cherry pie graham cracker crusts?
Absolutely! Making mini cherry pie graham cracker crusts is a fantastic idea, especially for parties or portion control. You can press the crumb mixture into muffin tins or mini tart molds. Just adjust the baking time for the crusts – they’ll likely need less time, perhaps 5-7 minutes, so keep an eye on them.
What if I don’t have cherry pie filling? Can I use fresh cherries?
You sure can! If you’re using fresh cherries for your cherry pie graham cracker, you’ll need about 5-6 cups of pitted cherries. You’ll also need to make your own filling by cooking them with sugar, cornstarch, lemon juice, and vanilla until thickened, similar to the recipe instructions, but adjusting quantities for fresh fruit. For a different fruit dessert, consider these apple cider donut cake.
How do I ensure the graham cracker crust is firm enough for the filling?
The key to a firm crust for your cherry pie graham cracker is to press it firmly and evenly into the pie plate, especially up the sides. Baking it for the recommended 8-10 minutes and letting it cool completely before adding the filling also helps immensely. This prevents it from becoming soggy.
Variations of Cherry Pie Graham Cracker You Can Try
Once you’ve mastered the basic cherry pie graham cracker, you might want to experiment with different twists. These variations offer new flavors and textures, keeping your dessert repertoire exciting. Trying a new approach to a classic can be so rewarding!
- Dietary Adaptations: For a gluten-free version, simply swap the graham cracker crumbs for gluten-free graham cracker crumbs or even crushed almond flour mixed with a touch of sweetener. This makes for a wonderful gluten-free fruit pie graham cracker recipe.
- Flavor Boost: Add a pinch of cinnamon to the graham cracker crust mixture for a warmer, spiced flavor. You could also add a tablespoon of almond extract to the cherry filling for a delightful nutty undertone in your sweet cherry graham cracker pie.
- No-Bake Option: While this recipe includes a brief bake for the crust, you can skip that step entirely if you’re really short on time. Just press the buttered crumbs firmly into the pie plate and chill it thoroughly before adding the filling. It still sets up beautifully!
- Mini Tarts: Use muffin tins to create individual mini pies. This is a fun way to serve them and makes for adorable mini versions of a classic dessert.
Cherry Pie Graham Cracker: 4 Amazing Tips
- Total Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A simple and delicious cherry pie featuring a sweet graham cracker crust. This no-bake dessert is perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
- 2 cups graham cracker crumbs
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 2 cans (21 ounces each) cherry pie filling
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a medium bowl, combine graham cracker crumbs and 1/4 cup granulated sugar.
- Pour in melted butter and stir until crumbs are moistened.
- Press the mixture evenly into the bottom and up the sides of a 9-inch pie plate to create your graham cracker crust.
- Bake the graham cracker crust for 8-10 minutes, or until lightly golden. Let cool completely.
- In a saucepan, whisk together cherry pie filling, 1/4 cup granulated sugar, cornstarch, and lemon juice.
- Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture thickens.
- Remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract.
- Pour the cherry pie filling into the cooled graham cracker crust.
- Chill the cherry pie for at least 2 hours before serving.
Notes
- For a firmer crust, you can bake it a few minutes longer.
- Ensure the crust is completely cooled before adding the filling.
- Adjust sugar in the filling to your taste.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Bake
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 35g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
Keywords: Cherry Pie Graham Cracker, graham cracker crust cherry pie, homemade cherry pie graham cracker base, easy cherry pie graham cracker crust, cherry pie with graham cracker crust, cherry graham cracker dessert, no bake cherry pie graham cracker
