There’s something magical about no-bake desserts, especially when the sun begins to linger a bit longer in the sky and the thought of turning on the oven feels like a betrayal to the blossoming warmth of spring or summer. This no-bake pineapple cream dessert embodies everything delightful about easy, breezy afternoons and impromptu patio gatherings.
Imagine this: you’ve just returned from a glorious day at the beach, sun-kissed and lazy, craving something sweet but not wanting to labor over a hot stove. That’s where this tropical treat comes in—a dessert that takes you back to the sands with its creamy texture and bursts of pineapple. Using simple ingredients like graham cracker crumbs, butter, whipped topping, and cream cheese, it’s as easy to whip up as it is satisfying.
This recipe, with its lush layers of sweetened cream cheese and pineapple, topped with coconut, became a family favorite after a serendipitous experiment in my kitchen last summer. Originally, I aimed to replicate a dessert I had at a small beachside café in Hawaii, but with a twist—adding shredded coconut for a textural surprise and an extra hint of the tropics. The result was a resounding success, gathering rave reviews from friends and family who claimed it brought the vacation vibes right to our backyard.
I urge you to try making this dessert at least once, and don’t shy away from putting your spin on it. Sometimes I like to add a dash of rum extract to the filling for a more adult version, or swap the pineapple for mango for a different tropical flair. It’s the perfect ending to any meal, especially when you want to keep things light and easy. So, go ahead, gather your ingredients, and let’s bring a slice of paradise into our homes with this delightful no-bake pineapple cream dessert.
How to Prepare No-bake Pineapple Cream Dessert
Ingredients:
Crust:
- ½ cup butter, melted
- 1½ cups graham cracker crumbs
- ⅓ cup of sugar
Filling:
- 1 tub (8 oz) whipped topping
- 8 oz softened cream cheese
- ½ cup shredded coconut for topping
- ½ cup pineapple chunks
- ¾ cup confectioner’s sugar
- 1 large can (14-16 oz) crushed pineapple, drained
Directions:
Crust:
- Start off by mixing the graham cracker crumbs with the sugar in a bowl.
- Then, add the melted butter and give it a good stir until everything’s nicely combined.
- Press this mixture firmly into an 8 x 8- or 9 x 9-inch pan.
Filling:
- Now, let’s move on to the filling. In a large bowl, whip the softened cream cheese with the confectioner’s sugar until it’s super smooth.
- Next up, beat in the tub of whipped topping until everything’s well blended.
- After that, gently fold in the drained pineapple.
- Spread this delightful filling evenly over the crust.
- Finally, top it off with some pineapple chunks and a generous sprinkle of shredded coconut.
Chill this baby really well, for at least 4 hours. But if you can, let it hang out overnight in the fridge for maximum deliciousness!
No-bake Pineapple Cream Dessert
Ingredients
Filling:
- 8 oz softened cream cheese
- 1 tub 8 oz whipped topping
- 1 can 14-16 oz crushed pineapple, drained
- ¾ cup confectioner’s sugar
- ½ cup pineapple chunks
- ½ cup shredded coconut for topping.
Crust:
- 1½ cups graham cracker crumbs
- ⅓ cup of sugar
- ½ cup butter melted
Instructions
For the crust:
- Mix the graham cracker crumbs and sugar. Add the melted butter and stir to combine well.
- Press into a 8 x 8- or 9 x 9-inch pan.
Filling:
- In a large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and confectioner’s sugar until very smooth.
- Beat in the tub of whipped topping. Then fold in the drained pineapple.
- Spread filling on top of the crust. Top with pineapple chunks and sprinkle with coconut.
- Chill very well—at least 4 hours, preferably overnight
