Description
Delectable homemade Apple Delight recipe brings warmth from classic American kitchens, blending sweet cinnamon notes with tender fruit. Crisp apple slices nestled in buttery pastry create a comforting dessert you’ll savor down to the last delightful crumb.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 cups graham cracker crumbs
- 2 (21 ounces / 595 grams) cans apple pie filling
- 1 (8 ounces / 227 grams) package softened cream cheese
- 1 (16 ounces / 454 grams) container thawed Cool Whip
Sweeteners and Spices:
- 3 tablespoons packed light brown sugar
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Binding and Topping Ingredients:
- 7 tablespoons melted unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup chopped pecans
Instructions
- Craft a robust foundation by blending graham cracker crumbs with brown sugar, cinnamon, and melted butter until the mixture becomes cohesive and slightly tacky. Press the crumb mixture uniformly into a 13×9 baking dish, ensuring a compact and level base. Quickly chill the crust in the freezer to expedite setting and prevent crumbling.
- Utilize an electric mixer to whip cream cheese, granulated sugar, and vanilla extract for 2-3 minutes on medium speed, creating a silky smooth consistency without lumps. Gently incorporate half of the Cool Whip to transform the mixture into a light, airy filling. Carefully spread this creamy layer over the chilled crust.
- Distribute apple pie filling evenly across the cream cheese layer, strategically arranging apple slices to guarantee balanced flavor in each serving. Use a spoon to smooth and align the fruity topping for consistent coverage.
- Generously drape the remaining Cool Whip over the apple filling, creating a billowy, cloud-like surface that harmonizes the dessert’s rich flavors and textures.
- Seal the dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate for a minimum of 4 hours, preferably overnight. This resting period allows layers to meld and solidify, facilitating cleaner slicing and serving.
- Moments before presentation, garnish with chopped pecans to introduce a delightful crunch and nutty dimension that perfectly complements the dessert’s creamy and fruity profile.
Notes
- Crust Stability Use graham crackers at room temperature for better binding and ensure melted butter is warm but not hot to prevent soggy crumbs.
- Cream Cheese Smoothness Always soften cream cheese at room temperature for 30-45 minutes to achieve a lump-free, silky texture without overmixing.
- Apple Distribution Drain excess liquid from apple pie filling to prevent a watery dessert and maintain the perfect layered consistency.
- Nutty Enhancement Toast pecans lightly before chopping to intensify their flavor and provide a more robust crunch to the dessert.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 hours
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Chilling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 332
- Sugar: 24 g
- Sodium: 208 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 36 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg