Cherry Cream Cheese Dessert
A Cherry Dessert with Pineapple, a sweet Cream Cheese layer and Salty Pretzels on top.
This Dessert is great to serve at family gatherings or even on the holidays. I live in Minnesota and Jello Desserts are very popular here. I remember some crazy Jello salad recipes that were around when I was a kid such as shredded carrots in orange jello or cottage cheese in green jello. I don’t remember anyone liking them very much, but this one is delicious and the added crunch and hint of salt from the pretzels on top, really compliment the sweet Cherry and Pineapple flavors.
Cherry Cream Cheese Dessert
Ingredients:
- 2 (3 oz.) Packages Cherry Jello
- 2 Cups Boiling Water
- 1 (20 oz.) Can Crushed Pineapple, with juice
- 1 (21 oz.) Can Cherry Pie Filling
- 1 (8 oz.) Package Cream Cheese
- 1 Cup Sour Cream
- 1/2 Cup Sugar
- 2 Teaspoons Vanilla Extract
- 1 Cup Tiny Pretzel Twists, broken into pieces
Directions:
1. Dissolve the Cherry Jello in the boiling water in a large glass bowl. Cool for 15 minutes.
2. Stir the Pie filling and the Crushed Pineapple with juice, into the Jello. Transfer the Jello mixture into a glass 13 x 9 baking dish. Cover the pan and refrigerate for about 1 & 1/2 hours. You don’t want the Jello mixture to completely set up but it does need to be partially set so the topping will stay on top.
3. Once the Jello mixture is partially set up, begin to make the topping. In a medium mixing bowl add the Cream Cheese, Sour Cream, Vanilla and Sugar. Using a handheld mixer, blend the topping ingredients until smooth.
4. Carefully spread the Topping over the Jello mixture. Cover and refrigerate until firm, about 3-4 hours.
5. Just prior to serving, sprinkle the Pretzel pieces on the topping. Cut the dessert into 3 x 3 squares to serve.
6. Store any leftovers in the refrigerator.
Recipe by: Hot Dish Homemaker
