This pineapple dream dessert is one of my family’s favorites. You know those desserts that seem to be at all the family gatherings? Those recipes that your grandma has been making for years? Like Pineapple Upside Down Cake, Ambrosia and Watergate Salad. This is one of those desserts.
This light and fluffy pineapple cream cheese dessert can be easily transported, hence it appearing at all those family functions, and rarely has leftovers.
PSSST – Yes! You are in the right place! Our photos have been updated, but the recipe is the same. This photo look familiar??
I’ve had similar reactions to this Chocolate Lasagna recipe, everyone seems to love it. So the only thing you’ll take home is a dish that needs washing!
Frequently Asked Questions
Back in the late 60’s Cool Whip entered the marketplace. It only took two years for this convenience item to become the company’s best-selling item. Cool Whip has come under fire many times and the current version now contains milk and cream.
If you prefer, you can substitute freshly made whipped cream for the Cool Whip in this recipe. To substitute fresh whipping cream for the 8-ounce tub of Cool Whip, 1 cup of fresh whipping cream whipped is the proper substitution.
HOWEVER Cool Whip has stabilizers in it that help hold its shape while fresh whipping cream does not. There you can try this recipe for homemade stabilized whipped cream to replace the Cool Whip.
If you love the idea of this pineapple dream dessert, you’ll love the strawberry version too- Strawberry Dream Dessert. You’re basically replacing the pineapples for strawberries and you have yourself another ultra-delicious one-pan dessert!
Yes, you can use fresh pineapple for this recipe. However, the juices that canned pineapple come in help soften the fruit, which is ideal for this recipe. Fresh pineapple that has been cut and stored in plastic containers found at the store are a good in-between as they typically contain juices at the bottom. Either way, fresh pineapple is fine to use but may be a little tougher than the canned variety.
Just like this Strawberry Jello Pretzel Salad, this is a great recipe for taking to a party, holiday gathering, or a potluck. It’s best to have a place to keep this delicious pineapple whipped cream dessert refrigerated until ready to serve.
Expert Tip
You can purchase graham cracker crumbs, or smash them in a sealed bag with a rolling pin. We like to run them through our food processor!
Ingredients you will need:
Get all measurements, ingredients, and instructions in the printable version at the end of this post.
- 2 1/2 cups graham crumbs (2 sleeves)
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter (for crust)
- 2 cups of powdered sugar, sifted
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened (for filling)
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- 8 oz container Cool Whip
- 20 oz can crushed pineapple, drained well
NO BAKE VERSION: If it’s too hot to turn on the oven, you can make the crust without baking it. Simply follow the instructions in the recipe, then instead of baking the crust, place it in the refrigerator. Let the crust chill for about 20 minutes. The butter will solidify and hold the crust together. The crust may not hold together as well, especially after sitting out for a while. But it still tastes just as good!
How to Make Pineapple Dream
These step by step photos and instructions are here to help you visualize how to make this recipe. You can Jump to Recipe to get the printable version of this recipe, complete with measurements and instructions at the bottom.
- Preheat the oven to 300 F. Melt 1/2 cup butter in the microwave and let it cool. Combine the crumbs and butter, then press 2 cups of the crumb mixture firmly into a 9×9 square pan and bake for 8-10 minutes. Place on wire rack to cool.
- Beat the cream cheese and 1/2 cup butter together until creamy. Turn the mixer down to low and add the powdered sugar one cup at a time until incorporated. Turn up and beat well for a minute or so.
- Add a heaping tablespoon of the drained crushed pineapple and stir in with a rubber spatula.
- Spread the cream cheese and pineapple mixture over the crust.
- Fold the remaining pineapple into the Cool Whip and spread on top of the cream cheese mixture.
- Sprinkle the remaining graham cracker crumb mixture on top.
- Refrigerate for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight.
Does your family have a version of this dessert?
How do you make it and what do you call it? These are some of the names I’ve heard:
- Pineapple Cool Whip Dessert
- Pineapple Delight
- Pineapple Dream Squares
- Pineapple Surprise Dessert
- Pineapple Graham Cracker Dessert
- Pineapple Cream Dessert
Whatever you call it, it’s amazing and there are never any leftovers. It’s always a favorite and someone will inevitably ask you for the recipe! So be sure to print a couple extra copies. :)
More one-pan potluck dessert ideas
- If you liked this Pineapple Dream Dessert, you’ll probably like my Cream Puff Chocolate Eclair Cake too. It’s another one of those potluck recipes that everyone wants a slice of! Not only is it creamy and delicious, it’s pretty too. So next time you’re heading to a friend or relatives and need to bring a dessert, try this eclair cake!
- Not everyone approves of the name of this next recipe, so over the years, it has taken on a few different titles. Here it’s called Sex in a Pan, but you may also know it as Chocolate Dream, Robert Redford Dessert or Better Than Anything Dessert. All I know is that three layers including cream cheese, pudding and whipping cream make for a party in your mouth!
- Speaking of potluck favorites, this Strawberry Jello Pretzel Salad is always a big hit! There are some families that absolutely insist it is served at every holiday.
- If you are a banana lover have I got a dessert for you! Make this delicious banana pudding poke cake and I promise you will not be disappointed.
- Though it’s not necessarily a “one-pan” dessert, it’s definitely a potluck favorite! This Ambrosia Salad is a vintage classic. Combining maraschino cherries, mandarin oranges, pineapple tidbits, fruit cocktail and marshmallows this ambrosia salad recipe is one to be reckoned with.
- Try this fabulous looking Lemon Delight from Happy Hooligans, the kids can help make Chessmen Banana Pudding from Kids Activities Blog, and who could resist Chocolate Banana Twinkie Cake from Today’s Creative Life?
- This just added – Pineapple Yogurt Dessert – thank you to Cathy for sharing it with us.
- This irresistible no-bake Eclair Cake is the dessert of your dreams. Your guests will be asking for seconds and thirds!
- This Orange Pineapple Cake is stuffed with sweet mandarin oranges and topped with a fruity pineapple frosting that’s hard to resist.
Watch our quick video showing the simple process of this delicious dessert!
Pineapple Dream Dessert
IMPORTANT – There are often Frequently Asked Questions within the blog post that you may find helpful. Simply scroll back up to read them!
Print It Pin It Rate ItIngredients
Crust:
- 2 ½ cups graham crumbs 2 sleeves
- ½ cup unsalted butter
Layers:
- 2 cups powdered sugar sifted
- ½ cup unsalted butter softened
- 4 oz cream cheese softened
- 8 oz Cool Whip fat-free
- 20 oz crushed pineapple drained well
Before You Begin
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 300 F.
- Melt butter in the microwave and allow to cool. Combine the crumbs and butter and toss together until incorporated. Press 2 cups of the crumb mixture firmly into an 9×9 square pan and bake for 8-10 minutes. Place on wire rack to cool.
- Beat the cream cheese and butter together until creamy. Turn the mixer down to low and add the powdered sugar one cup at a time until incorporated. Turn up and beat well for a minute or so. Add a heaping tablespoon of the drained pineapple and stir in with a rubber spatula. Spread the cream cheese and pineapple mixture over the crust.
- Fold the remaining pineapple into the Cool Whip and spread on top of the cream cheese mixture. Sprinkle the remaining graham cracker crumb mixture on top. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight.
Nutrition
This recipe was originally published here on July 9, 2013.
Amanda Davis
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Denise says
To sweet. If i make it again I will only use 1/2 the powdered sugar.
Tima says
I made this dessert for the first time last night and had some today and it is simply divine! Thank you for sharing this recipe! It really is delicious and that says a lot being that I am not a sweets fan. 😊
Amanda Formaro says
Awesome, so glad to hear it!
Kwamisa says
I made one for Christmas and my family loved it! Just made 2 of them this week. One for my house and the second one for my Sister’s family! It’s a great dessert that I will be required to take to all family gatherings!!! Thank you for sharing 😁
Amanda Formaro says
So glad you all loved it, thank you!
Peggy says
Can this recipe be doubled & made in a 9”x13” pan? A 9” square dish seems small to take to a family gathering or potluck. Sounds really yummy!!
Amanda Formaro says
Yes, it just might be a little taller :) I would only multiply the crust ingredients by 1.5 though.
Kathy says
Quick and easy!! Yummy dessert💕💕
Amanda Formaro says
Glad you loved it!
Lisa says
I used swerve brand powdered sugar and two cups made it way too sweet. Next time I would only use 1 cup of powdered sugar.
Axa says
One of the best tried and tasted recipes.
Amanda Formaro says
So glad you love it!
Gladys O Evans says
This sounds delicious, my dad is 85, pineapple is his absolute favorite.. making this for him… just found your website and I love the recipes..
Amanda Formaro says
Yay I hope you guys love it!
Freda says
Looks so delicious can’t wait to try this!
Huck says
How many points is this?
Amanda Formaro says
I’m sorry Huck, I don’t know the answer to that. If you are doing WW perhaps ask at your next meeting how to calculate the points based off a recipe’s nutritional value?
Barbara says
I made this lovely dessert but i used a purchased graham cracker crust because it was faster. I also mixed the pineapple with some coconut. I love the combination. I also am gonna try some blueberries, after I make the strawberry dream dessert.
Amanda Formaro says
Glad you loved it! I’ve made it a couple of times with blueberries. Once with fresh and once with frozen. There was nothing leftover, BUT I wasn’t totally happy with either version. So I’m still trying to perfect it.
Bill says
Just finished this for a little Thanksgiving Extra can’t wait to try it.
I’ll update with my rating.
Amanda Formaro says
Hope you love it!
Barabara Stoakley says
Super dessert!!
Amanda Formaro says
Thank you!
Dawn @ The Kitchen and a Latte says
I have never had this before but definitely going to be trying it soon. I think I have everything for it too, including the whipping cream. But I do think my pineapples (I have to go searching for them) are slices. I can crush them myself, minor inconvenience haha!
It is incredibly hot here this week so maybe we will not bake the crust. I have gotten away with it before when making no bake cheesecake. I know it will be slightly different but the thought of the oven being on right now is a bit overwhelming!
Amanda Formaro says
Yep you can totally make it without baking the crust!
Shelby says
Hi Amanda! Don’t recall how I found you last weekend- but I did. Thank you so much for the recipe for
Pineapple Dream Dessert. We loved it! Do not remember ever having it before. I did change a few things. I’m
only commenting now to help someone looking for a fairly low sugar dessert. I was out of powdered sugar.
I used 1 stick of butter and 1 8oz cream cheese with 1/2 cup of white sugar and 1/2 of an 8oz Cool Whip. I also added the bulk of the 20 oz can of pineapple to this mixture instead of the topping as written in the recipe. I saved the heaping tablespoon of pineapple to add to the remaining half of Cool Whip to go on top. Also added finely chopped pecans since I am gluten free and could not eat the graham crumbs anyway. I used my usual almond meal crust. As I said, we loved this low sugar, gluten free dessert! Thank you!
Amanda Formaro says
The changes sound amazing, thanks Shelby!
Aggie Koop says
Can it be frozen? It seems like it can.
Amanda Formaro says
Yes!
Carmella langley says
Can’t wait to make your pineapple
Dream dessert. It looks so yummmy.
Debra Dawn Kendall says
This was my favorite dessert when I was a kid, my Mom made it for me all the time!!!
It is soooooooooooooooooo good !!!
Suzyhalmark says
You never added the powdered sugar
Should we leave that out??
Looks yummy
Amanda Formaro says
Actually it was added, but that step was left out of the video by mistake. Sorry for the confusion! Please use the sugar
Shelly says
I seem to remember my mom
making this with eggs whipped in it somewhere? A weird childhood memory? A dream? Anybody out there know?
Sarah says
Yup If you put an egg in the cream cheese with sugar ,add vanilla and leave out the butter and bake it on top of the crust it’ll make a cheesecake bottom! I like them both. Hope that helps
ANITA N SLOAN says
Love this dessert. So creamy and good.
curtis strickland says
your website helps me to have no fail foods
Amanda Formaro says
That’s great to hear! :)