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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Debbie paulson says
Looks delish.
cindy says
Can you use something different than pineapple?
Amanda Formaro says
I haven’t tried anything different yet, but others have suggested maybe trying peaches. If you get adventurous and try something, I’d love to hear how it turned out!
Jeffrey Isbell says
With the cream cheese, maybe not? But in the version with sweetened condensed milk instead of cream cheese you have to have the acid from the pineapple plus two tablespoons of Realemon juice.
Sherry says
Why do I have to preheat my oven to 300°??
Amanda Formaro says
For the crust :)
Gina says
Made this tonight. Love the graham cracker crust, whipped topping, and pineapple.
Don’t quite understand the butter. And the cream cheese layer was so runny. Will have to see if it firms up tomorrow.
Has lots of potential but I may tweak recipe next time. Thanks for sharing!
Amanda Formaro says
Is it possible that you melted the butter? The creamy cheese layer should not have been runny.
Marie says
What is cool whip?, I live in Ireland.
What can I use instead please?
Amanda Formaro says
Fresh whipped cream will work!
Peggy says
A whip cream like used on a pie
Sue says
Cool whip, is a whipped topping, like whipped cream but lighter
Carolsue Griffin says
Make your own “cool whip”!!
Put ingredients in metal bowl or glass. Dont use plastic bowl. It doesn’t whip as good. Use electric beater- don’t stir.
Pour 1 cup heavy cream into bowl and beat at high speed until frothy and add 1 Tablespoon powdered confectioner sugar. Beat until it gets stiffer to hold up at a peak. Tweak some if you have to. But DON’T STIR anything you add to this , ALWAYS BEAT it!
linda says
Any ideas for how to make this without graham cracker crumbs? Sounds good just spooned up?
Amanda Formaro says
You probably could do it that way, but if possible I would suggest having either graham crackers or some other sort of cookie or cracker crumb crust. So good!
linda says
Hi Amanda what is the uk equivalent to a graham cracker x
Amanda Formaro says
I believe it would be digestive biscuits :)
Alison Conway says
This is really nice using ginger snaps as base
Aimee says
Crush some pecans or walnuts, or mix them in whole.
Kasey says
I use a shortbread pre-made our crust. Bc I’m not to find of Graham crackers
Latoya says
You can always use animal cookies instead! I crushed those cookies up in a food processor and saved just enough for my garnish on top……cookies with the melted butter made my “Perfect Crust”!
Deborah Stephens says
Do you have to use the powdered sugar? I’m trying not to use any added sugar and I know I can use sugarfree cool whip but what else can I use if I don’t use the powdered sugar?
Amanda Formaro says
You will need the powdered sugar, however you can simply toss some Splenda or other sugar substitute in a blender and process it until a fine powder. Then measure.
Bonnie Smith says
I have found a sweetener called Swerve that is great. It comes in powered or granulated and cooks and measures the same as sugar. It is great for Diabetics.
Stephanie says
Pineapple Dream Dessert
Can I substitute Spenda. For the powdered sugar?
Amanda Formaro says
Yes, process the splenda in a blender until it’s a fine powder. Then measure.
Kimberley says
I’ve been making this dessert since 1988 with a different crust & topping. I use 2 & 1/2 cups finely crushed corn flakes, 1/2 cup unsalted butter, 1 TBS sugar.
Mix thoroughly.
Use 2 cups of this mixture as this recipe above calls for as the crust. Bake the same.
Follow all other ingredients and instructions.
Then for topping substitute the Graham cracker crumbs again with the use of the remaining 1/2 cup of finely crushed corflake mixture.
This alternative crust gives the final product a nice slight crisp.
We love it.
Kat says
Do you know if this works out ok if doubled and put in a 9X13 baking dish? Or is it better to just make it in 2 9X9 baking dishes if I want to double it?
Amanda Formaro says
Yes, the layers will just be a little thicker :)
Kat says
Thanks Amanda. I have a glass baking dish that is 10X15 inches (same depth as the 9X13). I wonder if that would work better. I might try it and see.
Kyle Ann says
How did the 10×15 work? I am having the same dilemma for doubling the recipe?
JUDY waLDEN says
S OOOOOO GOOOOD!
Casandra morrow says
Will defintely try ths easy nd simple dessert recipe!
Sandra Roberts says
If you mix up some young coconut in the blender until you get a consistent coconut puree you can mix in Cool Whip into this and add another layer to this dessert. And then call it Pisa Cola da Dream Pie!!! Mmmm.
Sandra Roberts says
Pina Colada I mean.
Shirley Simpkins says
Food looks so good.
Diamonds244 says
I made this for the first time and used crushed pineapple in syrup. Next time I will use crushed pineapple in it’s own juice to cut the sugary sweetness. My husband loved the dessert. It was delicious and very easy to make which I loved.
Gloria says
I did the “Pineapple Dream Desert”..and it came out so good…I was so proud..it’s easy to do..no mess no fuss.. and it looks so nice…
Mandi Kaye says
We make a version of this with Dream Whip instead of Cool Whip, and we call it Pineapple Yum Yum (or Strawberry Yum Yum, Blueberry Yum Yum, etc.). SO GOOD.
Michelle S says
Any low carb options? e.g. Instead of pineapple and biscuit? Almond flour perhaps?
I would love any ideas. It looks so yum!!
Sharon Erickson says
This recipe is much like the one my mother made for special occassions. She always used Dad’s Cookies – the original oatmeal ones, crushed as her base and topping (no margarine added to bind or having to bake subsequently) and it stuck together quite well. The cookies add an extra umph to this recipe – almost like the secret ingredient. As well, way back when you used raw eggs and didn’t have to fret, her recipe called for two eggs beaten with the butter and the confectioners sugar. For this reason I stopped making this dessert but now I will try yours with the cream cheese, (but still use crushed Dad’s cookies as my base).
Amanda Formaro says
What a great back story Sharon! i bet it was divine :)
Jolene says
At a potluck lunch at my husband’s work someone brought something similar with the same cookies soaked in milk base and topped with crushed Crispy Crunch chocolate bars. It was devine! ?
Kendra says
We always added bananas in my family and called it Hawaiian Delight.. There were more variations but that’s the biggest one.. Definitely one of my favorites.