Pineapple Delight is a light and fluffy, easy-to-make, no-bake dessert that tastes refreshingly cool when you crave a taste of vacation. This recipe combines 8 simple ingredients into one sweet, creamy, cold treat that layers a pineapple-filled whipped topping over cream cheese and Greek yogurt filling, all resting delicately upon a buttery cookie crust.
Refreshingly Delightful Pineapple Dessert
I love a recipe that tastes like rays of sunshine and lets me dream of warm summer days, especially when summer turns to fall and the temperature begins to drop. This pineapple delight is the perfect no-bake tropical treat that’s filled with fluffy whipped cream, tangy pineapple, velvety, rich cream cheese, and tart yogurt, all sitting on a simple cookie crust–it’s my escape to the tropics when I need a vacation from the oven!
This cold and creamy dessert is loaded with little bits of crushed pineapple which gives it a toothsome texture and a sweet, fruity flavor that contrasts deliciously with the creamy, luscious filling and crunchy, buttery crust. Every refreshing bite reminds me of a cool island breeze balanced on a fork, even when my favorite warm days of summer only remain a fantasy!
Why We Love This Pineapple Delight Recipe
- Easy to make using simple ingredients.
- Delicious and refreshing no-bake dessert.
- Light and fluffy; cool and creamy treat.
- Ideal cold treat when you need a break from the heat.
- Perfectly portable for a potluck, a party, or a picnic.
Ingredients / Shopping List
- Vanilla wafers: Graham crackers can be used instead of vanilla wafers.
- Salted butter: If you use unsalted butter, make sure to add an extra pinch of salt to cut through the sweetness.
- Powdered sugar
- Cream cheese
- Vanilla extract
- Plain Greek yogurt: You can replace this with sour cream, or for some extra sweetness, try vanilla Greek yogurt.
- Whipped topping: If you don’t have whipped topping, you can make some by whipping up some heavy cream and powdered sugar. See our homemade whipped topping here!
- Canned crushed pineapple: If you don’t like canned pineapple, you can cut and crush about 1 ½ – 2 cups of fresh pineapple.
Substitutions and Additions
- Tasty Toppings: Try topping this dessert with chopped nuts, toasted coconut, a chocolate drizzle or even a few blueberries.
- Orange Creamsicle: Try making this dessert with canned mandarin oranges instead of canned pineapple–it tastes like an orange creamsicle!
- Fruit Flavors: If you prefer not to use pineapple, feel free to mash up some strawberries, raspberries, peaches, mangos, or bananas and substitute for the pineapple. You can use any canned or fresh fruit in this recipe.
- Change the Crust: You can substitute graham cracker crumbs or crushed chocolate wafers to make your crust.
Recommended Tools to Make this Recipe
- 8×8 inch baking pan (If you would like thinner bars, you can use a 9×9 inch pan)
- Mixer
- Mixing bowls and tools
- Measuring tools
- Spatula or other spreading tool
SEE FULL PRINTABLE RECIPE CARD BELOW
How to Make Pineapple Delight
It is so easy to make this recipe. Luscious layers of pineapple-filled whipped cream and cream cheese and greek yogurt resting on a cookie crust make this dessert an ideal cold treat and a perfect escape from the heat!
- Combine vanilla wafer crumbs and the melted butter.
- Press the mixture into the bottom of your baking pan.
Pro Tip: It is helpful to use the bottom of a measuring cup to press the crumb mixture firmly into the pan to create a stable crust. - Chill the crust in the refrigerator.
- Beat the salted butter and powdered sugar together until very creamy.
- Beat in the cream cheese and vanilla extract. Fold in the Greek yogurt.
- Fold in the Greek yogurt.
- Pour the filling mixture over the chilled crust and evenly spread.
- In a separate bowl, mix together the whipped topping and crushed pineapple.
- Spread topping over the filling layer. Sprinkle vanilla wafer crumbs on top of the pineapple layer and refrigerate.
- Plate, serve, and enjoy!
Tips
- I recommend making this dessert a day ahead of time and refrigerating it overnight. This will allow it to thicken and makes it easier to cut into slices.
- To make Vanilla Wafers crumbs, place a handful of cookies in a heavy-duty plastic bag. Using a rolling pin, roll over the cookies to crush them. You can also use a food processor.
Storage Tips
- To Store: Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
- To Freeze: Wrap well with plastic wrap or freezer safe containers for 5-6 months.
Frequently Asked Questions
Pineapple Delight must be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. If you wrap it well with plastic wrap or place it in freezer-safe containers, you can keep it in the freezer for 5-6 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before serving.
Yes, this recipe goes by many names, including pineapple lush, pineapple dream, and pineapple lasagna.
The great thing about this recipe is that only one ingredient needs to be swapped out to completely change the flavor. If you don’t like pineapple, feel free to mash up some strawberries, raspberries, peaches, mangos, or bananas and use them instead of the pineapple. You can use any canned or fresh fruit in this recipe. It will still be a delightful dessert no matter which fruit you choose!
Other Easy Pineapple Recipes
- Grilled Pineapple
- Pineapple Upside Down Cake
- Pineapple Chicken
- Fruit Salad Recipe
- Slow Cooker Pineapple BBQ Chicken
- Pineapple Pretzel Salad
- Pineapple Balls
Pineapple Delight
Ingredients
Crust
- 1¾ cups vanilla wafers crumbs
- 5 tbsp salted butter melted
Filling
- ½ cup (1 stick) salted butter, softened
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 4 ounce (½ package) cream cheese softened
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
- ¼ cup plain Greek yogurt
Topping
- 8 ounce container whipped topping
- 20 ounce can crushed pineapple drained
- ¼ cup vanilla wafer crumbs
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, combine 1 ¾ cups of divided vanilla wafer crumbs and the melted butter. Mix until completely combined.
- Press the mixture into the bottom of an 8×8 inch baking pan. Press as firmly as possible using the bottom of a measuring cup or similar tool.
- Set the pan with the vanilla wafer crust in the refrigerator to chill for at least 15 minutes.
- While the crust is chilling, use a mixer to beat together the salted butter and powdered sugar until very creamy, about 1-3 minutes.
- Beat in the cream cheese and vanilla extract until completely combined, about 1-3 more minutes.
- Fold in the plain Greek yogurt.
- Pour the filling mixture into the baking pan over the crust. Use a spatula to spread the filling and make an even layer.
- In a separate mixing bowl, combine the whipped topping and crushed pineapple. Stir until evenly mixed and then spread on top of the filling.
- Sprinkle the ¼ cup of vanilla wafer crumbs on top of the pineapple layer and then refrigerate for 2-3 hours or until the dessert has set. Enjoy!
Jenn’s Notes
- I recommend making this dessert a day ahead of time and refrigerating it overnight. This will allow it to thicken and makes it easier to cut into slices.
- To make Vanilla Wafers crumbs, place a handful of cookies in a heavy-duty plastic bag. Using a rolling pin, roll over the cookies to crush them. You can also use a food processor.
A very delicious refreshing dessert that is so easy to make. One of my favorite dessert dishes!