Easy No-Bake Chocolate Cherry Cream Pie Recipe
No-bake chocolate cherry cream pie is the ultimate summer dessert. This easy, no-fuss recipe takes just 30 minutes of active time and is filled with rich chocolate, creamy custard, and fresh cherry goodness. After making this pie many times, I’ve discovered the trick to keeping the crust crispy is to press it firmly and refrigerate it before filling. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Easy Italian Grinder Salad Sandwich Recipe for Quick Lunch and Creamy Pancetta and Porcini Potato Gratin Recipe.
Why This Easy No-Bake Chocolate Cherry Cream Pie Recipe Is Pure Comfort
- Crispy graham cracker crust
- Rich, creamy chocolate pudding layer
- Tangy, fresh cherry topping
- No oven required
- Perfect for summer cookouts
What You'll Need for Easy No-Bake Chocolate Cherry Cream Pie Recipe
Choosing the right ingredients makes a big difference, but this recipe is forgiving enough to work with what you have.
- graham crackers
- chocolate pudding mix
- sweetened condensed milk
- heavy cream
- fresh cherries
- whipped cream
- cocoa powder
- vanilla extract
- sugar
- salt
- Optional: chocolate shavings
- Optional: fresh mint leaves
📝 Ingredient Notes
- graham crackers: Use about 10 full-size graham crackers to make 1.5 cups of crumbs.
- fresh cherries: Pit the cherries before adding them to the pie. You can use a cherry pitter or a small knife to remove the pits.
🛒 Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Food processor — Makes quick work of crushing graham crackers for the crust. → See on Amazon
- Cherry pitter — Saves time and effort when pitting cherries. → See on Amazon
How to Make Easy No-Bake Chocolate Cherry Cream Pie Recipe
- Prepare the crust: Crush graham crackers, mix with melted butter, and press into a pie dish. Refrigerate while preparing the filling.
- Make the chocolate pudding: Whisk together chocolate pudding mix, sweetened condensed milk, and milk. Cook according to package instructions, then stir in vanilla extract and butter.
- Whip the cream: Whip heavy cream until stiff peaks form. Fold into the cooled chocolate pudding mixture.
- Assemble the pie: Pour the chocolate cream mixture into the chilled crust. Top with pitted cherries and refrigerate for at least 2 hours.
- Serve: Top with whipped cream, chocolate shavings, and fresh mint leaves before serving.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Easy No-Bake Chocolate Cherry Cream Pie Recipe
- Crispy crust: Press the crust mixture firmly into the pie dish and refrigerate it before adding the filling to keep it crispy.
- Common mistake and fix: Avoid over-whipping the cream or it will become lumpy. If this happens, add a tablespoon of milk and whip again.
- Chocolate shavings: Use a vegetable peeler to create chocolate shavings from a block of chocolate.
- Make-ahead: You can make the crust and chocolate pudding mixture a day ahead. Assemble the pie just before serving.
Storing & Reheating Easy No-Bake Chocolate Cherry Cream Pie Recipe
Short-Term Storage
Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Make-ahead tip: The crust and chocolate pudding mixture can be made a day ahead.
Freezing Easy No-Bake Chocolate Cherry Cream Pie Recipe
This pie does not freeze well due to the cream and fresh fruit.
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: Not applicable. Microwave: Not applicable.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: For a lighter version, use reduced-fat sweetened condensed milk and reduced-fat cream cheese.
- Best substitution: You can substitute the fresh cherries with canned or frozen cherries, but drain the liquid before using.
- Make-ahead: Assemble the pie just before serving for the best texture and presentation.
- Scaling: This recipe can be halved or doubled to fit your needs.
- Troubleshooting: If the chocolate pudding mixture is lumpy, strain it through a fine-mesh sieve before adding the whipped cream.
Want to level up this recipe?
Pie dish — A deep-dish pie dish ensures the perfect ratio of crust to filling. → Check price on Amazon
Easy No-Bake Chocolate Cherry Cream Pie Recipe
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- graham crackers
- chocolate pudding mix
- sweetened condensed milk
- heavy cream
- fresh cherries
- whipped cream
Seasonings
- cocoa powder
- vanilla extract
- sugar
- salt
Optional Toppings
- chocolate shavings
- fresh mint leaves
Instructions
- Prepare the crust: Crush graham crackers, mix with melted butter, and press into a pie dish. Refrigerate while preparing the filling.
- Make the chocolate pudding: Whisk together chocolate pudding mix, sweetened condensed milk, and milk. Cook according to package instructions, then stir in vanilla extract and butter.
- Whip the cream: Whip heavy cream until stiff peaks form. Fold into the cooled chocolate pudding mixture.
- Assemble the pie: Pour the chocolate cream mixture into the chilled crust. Top with pitted cherries and refrigerate for at least 2 hours.
- Serve: Top with whipped cream, chocolate shavings, and fresh mint leaves before serving.
Notes
- Chef tip: For a lighter version, use reduced-fat sweetened condensed milk and reduced-fat cream cheese.
- Best substitution: You can substitute the fresh cherries with canned or frozen cherries, but drain the liquid before using.
- Make-ahead: Assemble the pie just before serving for the best texture and presentation.
- Scaling: This recipe can be halved or doubled to fit your needs.
- Troubleshooting: If the chocolate pudding mixture is lumpy, strain it through a fine-mesh sieve before adding the whipped cream.
Storage
- Fridge: Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: This pie does not freeze well due to the cream and fresh fruit.
- Oven reheat: Not applicable.
- Microwave reheat: Not applicable.
- Make ahead: The crust and chocolate pudding mixture can be made a day ahead.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 350
- Protein: 5g
- Fat: 18g
- Carbs: 42g
- Fiber: 2g
- Sugar: 28g
- Sodium: 200mg
- Cholesterol: 65mg
- Sat. Fat: 11g
Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.
Easy No-Bake Chocolate Cherry Cream Pie Recipe FAQs
Yes, you can make the crust and chocolate pudding mixture a day ahead. Assemble the pie just before serving.
If the chocolate pudding mixture is lumpy, strain it through a fine-mesh sieve before adding the whipped cream.
Yes, you can substitute the fresh cherries with canned or frozen cherries, but drain the liquid before using.
Use a vegetable peeler to create chocolate shavings from a block of chocolate.
You can use a cherry pitter or a small knife to remove the pits. A cherry pitter is the quickest and easiest method.
A Warm Final Note
I can’t wait for you to try Easy No-Bake Chocolate Cherry Cream Pie Recipe and see how effortlessly it comes together. When you make it, pop back here and leave a rating or share how it turned out — I love hearing from you!
