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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Karen says
I made this and it was fantastic easy to make My husband loved it. Will be making again. Thanks for the recipe
Jackie says
I made this for my mother-in-law’s birthday. I made a sample so I could taste test and I loved it…my mom and husband did too! Following the recipe exactly* made it turn out perfectly although I think it took me longer than 25m to complete it. It’s that kind of food that makes you say mmm that was good and then have you going for 2nds when you know you shouldn’t (and I didn’t – only because I have t2d!). I wouldn’t change a thing but would consider doing a coconut one too. I wanted to ensure that I fully drained the crushed pineapples and it took a while letting it drain through the strainer naturally then pressing with a large spoon…I’m going to try cheesecloth the next time to speed up this step. This will definitely go into my do it again pile. *I used 9″ round aluminum pan because I couldn’t find a 9×9 square pan. Thank you for sharing your recipe.
Gillian says
Hi can this be frozen
Many thanks
Gillian
Amanda Formaro says
Absolutely!
Jill says
Love this recipe for Pineapple Dream! It was light, creamy and just the right sweetness. Although it’s a lovely light desert for summer, I think it would be enjoyed in all seasons. The next time I make it I’m going to sprinkle toasted coconut over top.
Angella says
This is an amazing recipe. It was gone in 2 days. Thank you for an awesome dessert.
Jacquelyn says
Do you use pineapple in its own juice or the syrup kind?
Amanda Formaro says
In juice
Katie Regier says
I just made this and it’s gonna be so hard to wait until tomorrow to try it!! Very easy recipe to follow. Amanda, you are my go to for new desserts to try, you’ve never failed me!
Amanda Formaro says
Thank you so much!
Laarni says
I made this for a backyard BBQ and it was a huge hit, everyone loved this light dessert for such a hot day. The whole dessert was gone in minutes! Very easy to make.
Michell says
I made this PINEAPPLE Dream and added sliced bananas between the cream cheese and whipped cream layers added chopped cherries and nuts to the top. Sooooo delicious 🥰
Karen McChristian says
Very easy to make, and my husband loves it. Never any leftovers
Sandy says
Easy and good
Linda says
This is an excellent pound cake! My kids loved it.
Cyndi says
What do I need to make a 9×13 pineapple dream cake?
Amanda Formaro says
Simply double to ingredients for a 13×9, I do it all the time! :)
Peggy Carr says
I did like this recipe, but it’s not as sweet as I’d like it to be, however I did use an off brand of pineapples. I would make again. The crust was great too! Thx
Becky S. says
I mistakenly made the no bake version forgetting to bake the crust. (Oops) Then had it all done .. or so I thought and realized I forgot to mix the pineapple with the cool whip. 🤦🏻♀️ I carefully removed the Graham cracker crust first. Then the pineapple getting some of the cream cheese filling with it. Mixed it with the cool whip and finished it up and stuck in the freezer for about a good hour to chill faster. My husband and I both loved it!
Sandra Caldwell says
Delicious. Also made it with strawberries.
Quinn Drain says
Can I use fresh pinapple ?
Amanda Formaro says
If you buy fresh pineapple that has already been cut up at the store, it’s usually stored in its own juice in plastic containers. That would work great. If you are going to cut your own fresh pineapple I think it will be fine, it’s just that the juice contributes to softening the fruit a bit.
Brenda says
This dessert is amazing and easy to make!
Jolene Cummings says
I followed the recipe exactly. It was very bland while being too creamy. Pineapple flavor did not come through. I would not make this again.
Lynda says
I find when you make it with pineapples in heavy syrup instead of pineapples in juice it’s a sweeter taste. Also add more powered sugar to the cream cheese & taste as you go for a sweeter texture.
Mary Ann Horne says
Well I made this for the elderly residents I work for. Eleven actually in a retirement home. They all loved it. Thanks