Apple Delight is a tasty, layered dessert that the whole family will love. The apple filling layer and cheesecake layer are piled on a butter graham cracker crust. Topped with creamy whipped topping with crunchy pecans, this recipe takes less than 30 minutes to prepare.
Even though fall is the best time to pick fresh apples, I am going to show you how to make this delicious dessert using apple pie filling. It cuts down on the prep time, and you don’t have to cook down the cubed apples to make your own filling. This apple delight recipe is refreshing and can be served year-round, but the spicy filling gives all the fall vibes.
You can also use the same type of filling to make apple hand pies or apple pie bombs. Use fresh apples for fried cinnamon apples. For a more classic dessert, go with a Granny Smith Apple Pie, another great holiday dessert.
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Why You’ll Love This Apple Dessert Recipe
- Super simple to make.
- Uses staples, so no fancy ingredients required for this apple dessert.
- A great make ahead dessert.
- One recipe serves 16 people, so it’s great for a crowd.
🍏 Ingredients
- Graham crackers – for that great crust
- Pecans – give a great nutty flavor and some added crunch in the graham cracker crust; simply omit if you don’t want nuts in the recipe.
- Sugar – sweetens the crust and helps bind the crust.
- Butter – holds the crust together and makes it rich in flavor
- Cream cheese – allow time for it to soften so the layer is smooth and creamy
- Vanilla extract – warms out the flavors
- Cool Whip – be sure it is thawed before using
- Powdered sugar – sweetens the cream cheese layer
- Apple pie filling – choose your favorite store bought soft apple pie filling or use this fried cinnamon apple recipe to make your own filling
Substitutions and Variations
- Feel free to experiment with different flavors, simply swap out the pie filling and follow the same instructions.
- We’ve tried blueberry, blackberry, and cherry pie fillings.
- If desired, replace the pecans with chopped walnuts or almonds, both are tasty.
- A light homemade caramel drizzle on top would be delish!
- Swap out the white sugar in the crust for brown sugar.
- Add a tablespoon of lemon juice into the cheesecake mixture for a nice tart flavor.
- If you’d like to swap out the graham crackers in the crust for vanilla wafers, it’s a nice way to have a lighter crust.
🔪 Instructions:
PREP: Before You Start – set the cream cheese and Cool Whip out so it can come to room temperature. Preheat the oven to 350°F.
Step 1: To make this easy graham cracker crust, combine the graham crackers and pecans in a food processor and pulverize until fine crumbs form.
Step 2: Add the sugar and melted butter and pulse until crumbly.
Step 3: Press the graham cracker crumbs mixture firmly into a 9×13 dish so it’s in an even layer.
Step 4: Bake for 8 minutes in the 350 degree oven and allow the crust to cool completely before starting the next layer.
Step 5: Beat the cream cheese, vanilla, half of the whipped topping, and powdered sugar in a large mixing bowl using an electric mixer. Spread this second layer over the cooled crust.
Step 6: Spread the apple filling over the cheesecake layer.
Step 7: Top with the remaining Cool Whip.
Step 8: Refrigerate the dessert for 3 to 4 hours (overnight is best) then top with chopped pecans just before slicing and serving. A long chill time helps everything firm up for easier slicing.
GARNISH/SLICE/SERVE: Serve cool out of the fridge as a wonderful dessert!
Recipe Tips for Creamy Apple Delight Dessert:
- When the crust first comes out of the oven, it will be soft. As it cools, it will harden.
- You can make apple delight several days in advance if you need it for the holidays.
Recipe FAQs
Cover leftovers loosely with plastic wrap and store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Freezing is not recommended.
You could, but you will need to cook them down to where they are caramelized using sugar and other spices. I choose to use canned filling because it tastes the same and is much easier!
More Layered Desserts That Are Irresistible
If you tried this Apple Delight Recipe or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how you liked it in the 📝 comments below.
Apple Delight
Ingredients
- 1 package graham crackers (9 crackers)
- ½ cup pecans chopped
- ¼ cup sugar
- ½ cup butter melted
- 8 ounces cream cheese softened
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 16 ounces Cool Whip divided
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 cans apple pie filling (two 21-ounce cans)
- ¼ cup chopped pecans for optional topping
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F.
- In a food processor, pulse the graham crackers and pecans until finely chopped.
- Add the melted butter and ¼ cup sugar in with the graham cracker mixture and pulse a few times to combine.
- Press the mixture into a 9×13-inch pan, creating an even layer on the bottom.
- Bake for 8 minutes and allow it to cool completely before starting the 2nd layer.
- In a large bowl mix together the cream cheese, vanilla extract, half of the Cool Whip (8 ounces), and powdered sugar. Spread over the crust.
- Spread apple pie filling on top of cream cheese layer.
- Spread remaining Cool Whip on top of the apple pie filling.
- Refrigerate for 3 to 4 hours, or overnight if possible.
- Top with chopped pecans before serving.
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Notes
- When the crust first comes out of the oven, it will be soft. As it cools, it will harden.
- You can make apple delight several days in advance if you need it for the holidays.
- Feel free to experiment with different flavors, simply swap out the pie filling and follow the same instructions.
- If desired, replace the pecans with chopped walnuts, both are tasty.
- A light caramel drizzle on top would be delish!
Nutrition
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Comments & Reviews
Rebecca Danely says
can I substitute cool whip with whipping cream whipped?
Stefanie says
Yes, absolutely!
Grannie says
Can’t wait to try, thank you for the recipe
Tina Mann says
Love these ideas, & scrumptious 😋 food & recipes, thank you ,girl