Pineapple Dream Dessert

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 creamy 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.

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, divided (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.

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. Add a heaping tablespoon of the drained crushed pineapple and stir in with a rubber spatula.
4. Spread the cream cheese and pineapple mixture over the crust.
5. Fold the remaining pineapple into the Cool Whip and spread on top of the cream cheese mixture.
6. Sprinkle the remaining graham cracker crumb mixture on top.
7. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight.

Storage and Freezing Information

Keep pineapple dream covered in the refrigerator, either in its pan with plastic wrap or foil over the top or in an airtight container, for up to 3 days. It’s at its best on day one and two. Since it has cream cheese and Cool Whip in it, don’t leave it out at room temperature for more than 2 hours, so bring it home in a cooler if it’s going to a potluck.

This is a make-ahead dessert by design. Make it the day before you need it and let it chill overnight, which gives you the firmest layers and the cleanest slices.

To freeze, chill it in the refrigerator until it’s fully set, cut it into squares, then line a baking sheet with parchment paper and flash freeze the squares for 2 hours. Once they’re solid, wrap each one individually in plastic wrap and move them into a freezer bag. To thaw, unwrap them while they’re still frozen and let them come to room temperature. Don’t leave them wrapped while they thaw, or the plastic wrap will stick.

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

You can check out my round up of 30+ one pan dessert recipes or see some of my favorites below.

1. 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!
2. 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.
3. You won’t want to miss our chewy, dreamy magic bars, also know as 7 layer bars, for your next party!
4. 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.

Watch our quick video showing the simple process of this delicious dessert!

This recipe was originally published here on July 9, 2013.