Pineapple Cream Cheese Dessert | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | fabulous #dessert made with a graham cracker crust, a #pineapple #creamcheese & gelatin layer, then it's topped with Cool Whip & pineapple slices. Great dessert for pineapple lovers.

Pineapple Cream Cheese Dessert

Teresa Ambra

Pineapple Cream Cheese Dessert is a luscious, creamy light dessert that’s perfect for the holidays. But’s it’s also a great dessert for company any time of the year. It’s one of those desserts that’s completely satisfying for any sweet tooth craving. While it does have several stages, this dessert is worth the effort.

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Ho, ho, ho! Merry Christmas! We are here in sunny Florida spending the holidays with John’s family and soaking up the sunshine. Yesterday was John’s birthday, and since birthday boy loves pineapple as one of his favorite fruits I decided to make this spectacular dessert.

It has a yummy graham cracker crust with a luscious cream cheese and pineapple filling, topped with Cool Whip and fresh pineapple. Oh, my! Was it ever wonderful.  All our relatives thought it was fantastic and one I should make over and over again.

I found this Hawaiian recipe for Pineapple Cream Cheese Dessert last August from Happy Hodgepodge Home knowing that with all the pineapple in it, my husband would probably really love this recipe. I was right. It was fantastic and fairly easy to make.

The only difficulty I had with this recipe was getting it to set up. It took about 30 minutes in the refrigerator PLUS about 2 hours in the freezer before it set up enough to put the cream cheese/pineapple layer in the dish. But overall, it was really easy and well worth the effort. My guests devoured it down to the last crumb!

If you are looking for an amazing dessert for company, holiday entertaining, or family members who enjoy pineapple and cheesecake-type desserts, this recipe is for you! The thick, rich, delectable cream cheese and pineapple filling is marvelous. Our family loved this delicious recipe. I think you will too.

I originally published this recipe in December 2012 while I was still taking pictures with an iPhone 3. Unfortunately, all those first-year blog recipes had less than desirable pictures, so I’ve been retaking them so get better ones.

I recently remade this recipe (August 2016) for a staff luncheon for the teachers at our Christian school. It was served as a dessert along with a batch of my Snickers Delight and Butterfinger Delight. All were very well received.

Pineapple Cream Cheese Dessert | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | fabulous #dessert made with a graham cracker crust, a #pineapple #creamcheese & gelatin layer, then it's topped with Cool Whip & pineapple slices. Great dessert for pineapple lovers.

Here’s a look at this spectacular Pineapple Cream Cheese Dessert.

Pineapple Cream Cheese Dessert | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | fabulous #dessert made with a graham cracker crust, a #pineapple #creamcheese & gelatin layer, then it's topped with Cool Whip & pineapple slices. Great dessert for pineapple lovers.

This elegant dessert is great for holiday entertaining or any other time of the year.

Pineapple Cream Cheese Dessert | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | fabulous #dessert made with a graham cracker crust, a #pineapple #creamcheese & gelatin layer, then it's topped with Cool Whip & pineapple slices. Great dessert for pineapple lovers.

This dessert cuts easy into nice, beautiful squares.

Here’s what I did.

Pineapple Cream Cheese Dessert | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | fabulous #dessert made with a graham cracker crust, a #pineapple #creamcheese & gelatin layer, then it's topped with Cool Whip & pineapple slices. Great dessert for pineapple lovers.

I used these ingredients.

Pineapple Cream Cheese Dessert | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | fabulous #dessert made with a graham cracker crust, a #pineapple #creamcheese & gelatin layer, then it's topped with Cool Whip & pineapple slices. Great dessert for pineapple lovers.

Melt butter. Add 3 tbsp. sugar and graham cracker crumbs. 

Pineapple Cream Cheese Dessert | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | fabulous #dessert made with a graham cracker crust, a #pineapple #creamcheese & gelatin layer, then it's topped with Cool Whip & pineapple slices. Great dessert for pineapple lovers.

Stir together to combine.

Pineapple Cream Cheese Dessert | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | fabulous #dessert made with a graham cracker crust, a #pineapple #creamcheese & gelatin layer, then it's topped with Cool Whip & pineapple slices. Great dessert for pineapple lovers.

Spray a glass 9×13″ baking dish with cooking spray. Press graham cracker mixture into bottom of glass baking dish and press down well with the back of a spoon or a fork. Place in freezer while preparing other ingredients.

Pineapple Cream Cheese Dessert | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | fabulous #dessert made with a graham cracker crust, a #pineapple #creamcheese & gelatin layer, then it's topped with Cool Whip & pineapple slices. Great dessert for pineapple lovers.

Place 3 envelopes of unflavored gelatin in a mixing bowl. Add sugar and stir to combine. Add boiling water.

Pineapple Cream Cheese Dessert | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | fabulous #dessert made with a graham cracker crust, a #pineapple #creamcheese & gelatin layer, then it's topped with Cool Whip & pineapple slices. Great dessert for pineapple lovers.

Drain crushed pineapple and squeeze out excess juice. Add to boiling water mixture. Place in freezer about 30 minutes to solidify somewhat.

Pineapple Cream Cheese Dessert | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | fabulous #dessert made with a graham cracker crust, a #pineapple #creamcheese & gelatin layer, then it's topped with Cool Whip & pineapple slices. Great dessert for pineapple lovers.

Soften cream cheese. Beat cream cheese with an electric mixer. 

Pineapple Cream Cheese Dessert | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | fabulous #dessert made with a graham cracker crust, a #pineapple #creamcheese & gelatin layer, then it's topped with Cool Whip & pineapple slices. Great dessert for pineapple lovers.

Add creamed cream cheese mixture to sugar/gelatin/pineapple mixture. 

Pineapple Cream Cheese Dessert | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | fabulous #dessert made with a graham cracker crust, a #pineapple #creamcheese & gelatin layer, then it's topped with Cool Whip & pineapple slices. Great dessert for pineapple lovers.

Whisk ingredients together. This will be very soupy and lumpy. Cover and place in freezer for about an hour until mixture is firm but not quite set.

Pineapple Cream Cheese Dessert | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | fabulous #dessert made with a graham cracker crust, a #pineapple #creamcheese & gelatin layer, then it's topped with Cool Whip & pineapple slices. Great dessert for pineapple lovers.

Mix cold pineapple mixture with an electric mixer until smooth.

Pineapple Cream Cheese Dessert | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | fabulous #dessert made with a graham cracker crust, a #pineapple #creamcheese & gelatin layer, then it's topped with Cool Whip & pineapple slices. Great dessert for pineapple lovers.

Spread pineapple mixture over top of graham cracker crumb crust that has been put in the freezer. Place dish back in the freezer for another hour.

Pineapple Cream Cheese Dessert | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | fabulous #dessert made with a graham cracker crust, a #pineapple #creamcheese & gelatin layer, then it's topped with Cool Whip & pineapple slices. Great dessert for pineapple lovers.

Remove dish from freezer and spread non-dairy whipped topping over top of cream cheese-pineapple mixture that has set.

Pineapple Cream Cheese Dessert | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | fabulous #dessert made with a graham cracker crust, a #pineapple #creamcheese & gelatin layer, then it's topped with Cool Whip & pineapple slices. Great dessert for pineapple lovers.

Garnish with fresh pineapple slices and maraschino cherries. Refrigerate several hours before serving.

Pineapple Cream Cheese Dessert | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | fabulous #dessert made with a graham cracker crust, a #pineapple #creamcheese & gelatin layer, then it's topped with Cool Whip & pineapple slices. Great dessert for pineapple lovers.

Here’s a close up so you can see the texture of this luscious dessert. The nice thing about Pineapple Cream Cheese Dessert is it’s really easy to make.  You will have to allow for adequate time for the dessert to set up in the different stages, however.

Pineapple Cream Cheese Dessert | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | fabulous #dessert made with a graham cracker crust, a #pineapple #creamcheese & gelatin layer, then it's topped with Cool Whip & pineapple slices. Great dessert for pineapple lovers.

My guests thought this dessert was scrumptious. I think you will too! Lots of luscious pineapple in a cream cheese filling and fluffy Cool Whip make this a dessert to remember!

Here’s the recipe.

PINEAPPLE CREAM CHEESE DESSERT

(Recipe adapted from Happy Hodgepodge Home) This is based on an old Hawaiian recipe.

Pineapple Cream Cheese Dessert | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | fabulous #dessert made with a graham cracker crust, a #pineapple #creamcheese & gelatin layer, then it's topped with Cool Whip & pineapple slices. Great dessert for pineapple lovers.

Pineapple Cream Cheese Dessert

Teresa Ambra
Pineapple Cream Cheese Dessert is outstanding. This luscious Hawaiian layered dessert has a graham cracker crust, layered with a cream cheese pineapple layer, then it's topped with Cool Whip topping and fresh pineapple slices. It's creamy, and so delicious you'll be drooling over every bite.
3.84 from 6 votes
Prep Time 40 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine Hawaiian
Servings 15
Calories 334 kcal

Equipment

  • 1 9x13" glass baking dish
  • 1 electric mixer
  • 2 mixing bowls
  • 2 wooden spoons
  • measuring cups
  • measuring spoons

Ingredients
  

  • 2 cups graham cracker crumbs
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter melted
  • 3 tbsp. granulated sugar
  • 2 1/2 cups boiling water
  • 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
  • 3 envelopes plain gelatin
  • 1 large can crushed pineapple drained really well
  • 16 oz pkg. cream cheese softened (2 blocks)
  • 16 oz. container cool whip non-dairy topping
  • 29 oz. can sliced pineapple for garnish drained really well, or use fresh pineapple
  • 12 maraschino cherries for garnish

Instructions
 

  • Mix graham cracker crumbs, 3 tbsp. granulated sugar and melted butter together and press into a 9x13” glass baking dish that has been sprayed with cooking spray.
  • Mix unflavored gelatin and 1 ½ cups granulated sugar together.
  • Dissolve gelatin and sugar in boiling water.
  • Drain pineapple and press out excess juice.
  • Add drained pineapple to boiling water mixture.
  • Let the mixture cool in freezer about 30 minutes.
  • Soften cream cheese, then cream the cream cheese with an electric mixer.
  • Add pineapple and gelatin mixture. It will look a little watery and lumpy.
  • Place bowl in the freezer until it is just starting to set - about an hour - (don’t wait until it sets completely).
  • Remove from freezer and beat mixture with mixer.
  • Pour mixture over crust and place back into freezer for about an hour.
  • Remove from refrigerator and spread Cool Whip topping on top of the pineapple cream cheese layer.
  • Garnish with pineapple slices and maraschino cherries, as desired.
  • Refrigerate several hours or overnight.
  • Slice and serve.

Notes

NOTE: I froze the graham cracker crust while other parts of the recipe were also cooling.
NOTE: Be forewarned: Preparation time does not include time required to freeze recipe in the different stages of preparation.
Recipe adapted from Happy Hodgepodge Home.
© Can’t Stay Out of the Kitchen

Nutrition

Calories: 334kcalCarbohydrates: 57gProtein: 8gFat: 9gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.4gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0.2gCholesterol: 25mgSodium: 315mgPotassium: 255mgFiber: 2gSugar: 47gVitamin A: 306IUVitamin C: 9mgCalcium: 169mgIron: 1mg
Keyword dessert, pineapple, pineapple dessert
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

 

[b]Pineapple Cream Cheese Dessert[/b]
Recipe Type: Dessert
Cuisine: Hawaiian
Author: Teresa Ambra adapted from [url href=”http://happyhodgepodgehome.wordpress.com/2012/06/11/pineapple-cream-cheese-bars/” target=”_blank” title=”pineapple cream cheese bars”]Happy Hodgepodge Home[/url]
Prep time:
Total time:
Serves: 15
This luscious Hawaiian layered dessert has a graham cracker crust, layered with a cream cheese pineapple layer, then it’s topped with Cool Whip topping and fresh pineapple slices.
Ingredients
  • 2 cups graham cracker crumbs
  • 1/2 cup melted butter
  • 3 tbsp. sugar
  • 2 1/2 cups boiling water
  • 1 ½ cups sugar
  • 3 envelopes plain gelatin
  • 1 1/2 cups crushed pineapple, drained really well
  • 2 8-oz packages cream cheese, softened
  • 16-oz. container cool whip, non-dairy topping
  • 1 cup fresh pineapple for garnish
Instructions
  1. Mix graham cracker crumbs, 3 tbsp. sugar and melted butter together and press into a 9×13” glass baking dish that has been sprayed with cooking spray.
  2. Mix unflavored gelatin and 1 ½ cups sugar together.
  3. Dissolve gelatin and sugar in boiling water.
  4. Drain pineapple and press out excess juice.
  5. Add drained pineapple to boiling water mixture.
  6. Let the mixture cool about 30 minutes.
  7. Soften cream cheese, then cream the cream cheese with an electric mixer.
  8. Add pineapple and gelatin mixture. It will look a little watery and lumpy.
  9. Place bowl in the freezer until it is just starting to set (don’t wait until it sets completely).
  10. This took 2 hours in the freezer before the mixture was thick enough but you should check every 30 minutes until it gets to this point.
  11. Remove from freezer and beat mixture with mixer.
  12. Pour mixture over crust and place back into refrigerator for about an hour.
  13. Remove from refrigerator and spread Cool Whip topping on top of the pineapple cream cheese layer.
  14. Garnish with fresh pineapple, as desired.
  15. Refrigerate several hours or overnight.
  16. Slice and serve.
Notes
Time of preparation does not include 2 hours for the recipe to thicken in the freezer, an hour of refrigeration before adding the final Cool Whip layer and pineapple and a half hour for cooling the gelatin mixture.
Pineapple Cream Cheese Dessert | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | fabulous #dessert made with a graham cracker crust, a #pineapple #creamcheese & gelatin layer, then it's topped with Cool Whip & pineapple slices. Great dessert for pineapple lovers.

This is a wonderfully festive and elegant Pineapple Cream Cheese Dessert to serve for holidays or special occasions. So delectable, so scrumptious, so mouth watering! You and your family will surely drool over this tasty dessert.

Pineapple Cream Cheese Dessert | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | fabulous #dessert made with a graham cracker crust, a #pineapple #creamcheese & gelatin layer, then it's topped with Cool Whip & pineapple slices. Great dessert for pineapple lovers.

This luscious dessert is a pineapple lover’s delight! Every incredible bite has lots of delicious pineapple and cream cheese.

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Pineapple Bars with Coconut Drizzle | these spectacular #dessert bars will have you absolutely drooling! They are heavenly and mouthwatering with a crust layer, #pineapple layer, #streusel layer & a #coconut glaze over top. Perfect for #holidays like #Easter or #MothersDay. #PineappleDessert #HolidayDessert #EasterDessert #MothersDayDessert #cookie #brownie #PineappleCookies #PinaColada #PinaColadaDessert

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Banana Split Dessert | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | this fabulous #dessert is perfect for the #holidays. It's like eating #BananaSplits! #bananas #pineapple #cherries
Pineapple Cream Cheese Dessert | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | fabulous #dessert made with a graham cracker crust, a #pineapple #creamcheese & gelatin layer, then it's topped with Cool Whip & pineapple slices. Great dessert for pineapple lovers.

Pineapple Cream Cheese Dessert

Teresa Ambra
Pineapple Cream Cheese Dessert is outstanding. This luscious Hawaiian layered dessert has a graham cracker crust, layered with a cream cheese pineapple layer, then it's topped with Cool Whip topping and fresh pineapple slices. It's creamy, and so delicious you'll be drooling over every bite.
3.84 from 6 votes
Prep Time 40 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine Hawaiian
Servings 15
Calories 334 kcal

Equipment

  • 1 9×13" glass baking dish
  • 1 electric mixer
  • 2 mixing bowls
  • 2 wooden spoons
  • measuring cups
  • measuring spoons

Ingredients
  

  • 2 cups graham cracker crumbs
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter melted
  • 3 tbsp. granulated sugar
  • 2 1/2 cups boiling water
  • 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
  • 3 envelopes plain gelatin
  • 1 large can crushed pineapple drained really well
  • 16 oz pkg. cream cheese softened (2 blocks)
  • 16 oz. container cool whip non-dairy topping
  • 29 oz. can sliced pineapple for garnish drained really well, or use fresh pineapple
  • 12 maraschino cherries for garnish

Instructions
 

  • Mix graham cracker crumbs, 3 tbsp. granulated sugar and melted butter together and press into a 9×13” glass baking dish that has been sprayed with cooking spray.
  • Mix unflavored gelatin and 1 ½ cups granulated sugar together.
  • Dissolve gelatin and sugar in boiling water.
  • Drain pineapple and press out excess juice.
  • Add drained pineapple to boiling water mixture.
  • Let the mixture cool in freezer about 30 minutes.
  • Soften cream cheese, then cream the cream cheese with an electric mixer.
  • Add pineapple and gelatin mixture. It will look a little watery and lumpy.
  • Place bowl in the freezer until it is just starting to set – about an hour – (don’t wait until it sets completely).
  • Remove from freezer and beat mixture with mixer.
  • Pour mixture over crust and place back into freezer for about an hour.
  • Remove from refrigerator and spread Cool Whip topping on top of the pineapple cream cheese layer.
  • Garnish with pineapple slices and maraschino cherries, as desired.
  • Refrigerate several hours or overnight.
  • Slice and serve.

Notes

NOTE: I froze the graham cracker crust while other parts of the recipe were also cooling.
NOTE: Be forewarned: Preparation time does not include time required to freeze recipe in the different stages of preparation.
Recipe adapted from Happy Hodgepodge Home.
© Can’t Stay Out of the Kitchen

Nutrition

Calories: 334kcalCarbohydrates: 57gProtein: 8gFat: 9gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.4gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0.2gCholesterol: 25mgSodium: 315mgPotassium: 255mgFiber: 2gSugar: 47gVitamin A: 306IUVitamin C: 9mgCalcium: 169mgIron: 1mg
Keyword dessert, pineapple, pineapple dessert
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

15 Comments

  • Easter Dinner Ideas – Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen

    March 29, 2021 at 7:16 am

    […] Pineapple Cream Cheese Dessert […]

    1. Jill

      November 29, 2021 at 3:33 pm

      Gross. Made for Thanksgiving dinner. Thank goodness there were other desserts brought. Not sure where to start with this one. First of all, very clear this was not a recipe developed by a recipe developer or chef. “An envelope of gelatin” is not a measurement. Did you know that envelopes come in different sizes? Amount of gelatin per envelope varies from brand to brand. Same with “a large can” of pineapple. Please sir, may I have SOME FORM, ANY FORM, of measurements? I also took this recipe at face value and against my better instinct, went ahead and bought unflavored gelatin. Big mistake. HUGE. Don’t buy unflavored gelatin, even the high quality stuff. Its smell is really unbelievable and typically the reason why food-grade unflavored gelatin is typically for use in candles and cosmetics, not food. A lemon or any citrus gelatin would have been better, but I still don’t think it would have saved this recipe. I even used real whipped cream I made myself instead of cool whip. The taste was just so weird and gross, like a millionaire pie made by someone who had never tasted one, only read about it. Disappointing waste of time and ingredients.

      1. Teresa

        November 30, 2021 at 11:57 am

        Hi, Jill. While this recipe is a high maintenance recipe, I’ve never encountered the problems you have. Perhaps your gelatin was spoiled, but it’s never had a strong odor before. I suppose I assumed that you looked at the pictures and saw I used the smaller sized envelope. If you follow the directions carefully, this dessert sets up beautifully and is absolutely divine. Sorry you had so much trouble with it.

  • Laura Adams

    July 19, 2020 at 9:04 pm

    This was so easy to make and throw whole family loved it! Well one doesn’t care for cool whip but he at least tried some. 😀
    Thank yuh fog sharing this recipe!

    1. Teresa

      July 20, 2020 at 7:20 am

      So glad everyone enjoyed the recipe, Laura. It is easy and delicious.

  • Terri

    April 5, 2018 at 2:34 pm

    Hi, I made this dessert for Easter and everyone LOVED it. My only qestion is this , do you put the leftovers in freezer or refrigerator? We have small family)

    1. Teresa

      April 6, 2018 at 10:52 am

      Hi Terri. You can refrigerate the leftovers for several days. I’ve never tried freezing it after I made it, but it’s sure worth a try. Most of the time I freeze just about anything and have good results.

  • ALOHA LOVE

    January 3, 2018 at 7:39 pm

    Love crust so used 1 1/2 recipe (3 c graham cracker crumbs, 3/4 c or 1 1/2 blocks butter, 4 1/2 TBS sugar) put in freezer, used blender to blend cold cream cheese a bit, after boiling water gelatin sugar pineapple mix, quick set by putting ice cubes in a gallon ziploc bag and stir the sealed bag around in the mix until cool. Blend a cup of the mix into the cream cheese to remove cheese lumps, then add the rest slowly blending well. Will still look watery. Let the mix sit in the freezer until soft set – keep checking (mine only took 15 minutes to soft set). Mix and pour into crust. Let it sit in freezer until set (mine only took 20 minutes to set firm). Only took 45 minutes total from start to finish.

    1. Teresa

      January 4, 2018 at 8:33 am

      Hi there. All your ideas sound wonderful. Thanks for sharing!

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  • petit4chocolatier

    December 26, 2012 at 4:08 pm

    Delicious! Enjoy your holiday 🙂
    Happy Birthday to John!

    1. Teresa

      December 26, 2012 at 5:02 pm

      It was a nice, creamy dessert without being too sweet. We really loved it. Yes, we’ve had a very relaxing holiday! Thanks.

      Sent from my iPhone

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    December 26, 2012 at 5:46 am

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