No Bake Pineapple Dream Dessert topped with coconut is cool, creamy and perfect for summer. You’ll want to make this easy vintage dessert again and again!
I found this little gem of a dessert when I was going through my grandma’s collection vintage recipes. You’ve probably noticed that I’ve been sharing a lot of old retro recipes lately, but I just love them. In fact, I’m having a blast with this little project of mine, and I guess if you’re going to start a hobby, it might as well be something you like to do, right?
And, as far as hobbies go, this one is pretty darn delicious –My family can vouch for that!
Anyway, let’s get back to how delicious this dessert just happens to be, because it really is very good and very easy to make. Plus, it’s a no-bake dessert, which is exactly what you want in the summer.
It was originally called Pineapple Dream Torte, and it was just a little slip of paper pasted onto a larger sheet, along with several others. I guess it was easier to keep track of them this way, instead of just throwing a lot of clippings into a bag. It just doesn’t tell you where the recipe came from.
When I think of a torte, I think of a fancy, schmancy cake. Since this isn’t a cake, and there’s nothing difficult or fancy about it, I just left that part off. The “dream” part of it probably refers to Dream Whip, which the original recipe called for. Since I’ve never even seen that around here, I used Cool Whip, instead, but any whipped topping would work.
Making the pineapple dream dessert is super easy, and it really is a no-bake dessert every step of the way. It’s a lot like the strawberry pretzel salad, but even that one has a crust that needs to be baked. I have to admit that I was a little worried that the graham cracker crust wouldn’t set without some oven time, but it held together amazingly well.
After you make the crust, just mix the other ingredients together, pour the mix over the crust, and pop the whole thing in the fridge until you’re ready for dessert!
The kids helped make this creamy, dreamy dessert, so it came together in no time. But even if you don’t have any helpers, it’s still a very quick and easy dessert recipe. We did think it looked a little boring, so we added some shredded coconut and diced pineapple over the top. I had the coconut left over from making tropical fruit dip, but if you don’t have any on hand, don’t worry about it.
How to Make No Bake Pineapple Dream Dessert
No Bake Pineapple Dream Dessert
Ingredients
- 1 8-oz package cream cheese (softened)
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 cup crushed pineapple (drained)
- 1 8-oz tub whipped topping, like Cool Whip
Crust
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup melted butter
- 20 individual graham crackers, crushed see Notes
Topping
- 1/4 cup shredded coconut
- 1/4 cup diced pineapple (drained)
Instructions
- In a medium mixing bowl, mix the cream cheese with an electric mixer until slightly fluffy
- Gradually add the powdered sugar, and mix until well combined
- Mix in the whipped topping, and beat until fluffy
- With a spatula, fold in the crushed pineapple, then set aside
- In a small mixing bowl, mix the crushed graham crackers, granulated sugar and melted butter until well combined, then, pat mixture into a 9 X 9 baking dish
- Spoon the filling over the crust, and smooth with spatula until even
- Top with shredded coconut and diced pineapple, and refrigerate for 2 hours or until firm
Video
Notes
Nutrition
My family loved this no bake pineapple dream dessert. If you’re looking for an easy no bake dessert for summer potlucks, gatherings or just for your family, give this one a try!
Sharing at Weekend Potluck
Carla says
Can i just lay down the crackers without crushing them?
Dee says
No — You really need to make the crust for it to work.
Vanessa says
Can we freeze it?
Dee says
I have never tried that, so I can’t say how it would be after defrosting.
Lauren says
Can I make this a couple days ahead? (Thursday evening for a Saturday bbq)
Dee says
That should be fine. 🙂
Debby says
You definitely can make it ahead of time I have made it 3days in advance but I have Frozen and taken it out the morning that I have to have it and it tastes like it was freshly made it wi also last a week in the freezer.
Catherine says
Made this tonight and it was a huge hit! Thank you for sharing this super easy and delish recipe!!
Dee says
That’s awesome, Catherine! Thank you so much for your sweet comment!
Terre says
Could you please tell me the amount of graham crackers (1/2 cup or cup?) if you are using graham crackers crumbs in a box? How much is 20 graham crackers please? Thanks!
Terre.
Dee says
The 20 graham crackers would be 20 individual small rectangles — breaking the squares in half. So 10 squares, like you would for s’mores, or 5 large unbroken rectangles straight from the package. I’ve updated the recipe to explain.
Pam says
Do you use 20 half pieces of the whole Graham crackers or 20 quarter pieces of the whole Graham cracker? Surely not 20 whole Graham crackers?
Dee says
I just updated the recipe so it should easier to understand now. The 20 graham crackers would be 20 individual small rectangles — breaking the squares in half. So 10 squares, like you would for s’mores, or 5 large unbroken rectangle sheets straight from the package.
Kathy Davenport says
Looks really good. Showing my age—I remember Dream Whip, a sort of precursor to Cool Whip. It was a dry mix in a blue box. Mama often used convenience food, but I can’t remember how it was made (add water?). I recall her having to whip it with the mixer.
Donna says
You can still get dream whip at the store. Try Safeway or Albertsons.
lara says
This is really good. Its not real sweet but it taste refreshing. My crust as well stuck to the bottom and was very hard to cut. None the less very good
Dee says
Hmm. I’ve never had that problem. So glad you liked it! 🙂
Lucyann says
Can you use pre made graham cracker
Dee says
You might need 2 of them, but you can try it.
Ashlea says
Yes I bought the big one by Keebler it’s $2 instead of the
$1 One and it fit perfectly
Ladywolff says
Easy to make, this is heavenly! I highly recommended this recipe it is light and creamy and the taste is amazing! It’s like eating a piece of sunshine. 5 🌟 all the way! Thanks for sharing!
Dee says
Thank you so much! So happy you liked it!
Pamela says
My mom is wanting this very much bc the nursing home has really sweet desserts and wants something more fresh! It looks really fun and easy to make and more exciting I bet with our first bite! Thank you
Norma Ibarra says
I made this my family loved it, only had 1 problem my crust stuck to the bottom of the pan. Any tips for that not happening again? Thank you.
Dee says
I’ve never had that happen before. The butter in the crust should keep it from sticking to the pan. I’m happy to hear your family liked it, though. 🙂
Tabby says
Could this be made the night before and hold up in the fridge? Or will it lose consistency/firmness if left refrigerated for a day?
Dee says
It needs time to set in the fridge, so it would be fine overnight. 🙂
Felicia says
Do you use sweetened pineapples?
Sweetened coconut?
Dee says
You can use any type of canned pineapple and shredded coconut.
Taylor says
Hi! So I decided to make this for a cookout. I read the instructions and I thought this was going to be too big for a 9×9 but I went with it. I put the crust down and it was an inch and a half think in the pan! I moved to to my 15×10 pan and it felt like it fit much better. Is there something I’m missing that it would have fit better? My 10×9 isn’t super deep but I’m not sure it would have made a difference. Any help?
Dee says
I’m not sure what happened, since the recipe makes a thinner crust — just like in the pictures and video. It’s just enough to fit into my 9×9 pan.
Colette Middlebro' says
Can this dessert be made ahead of time and frozen for later ?
Thanks
Dee says
I haven’t tried freezing it, but you can make it ahead of time and let it firm up in the fridge for several hours.
Jackie says
Can you cut back some of the sugar in this recipe?
Dee says
You could try, but the consistency might not be the same.
Ruthie says
Can you give me an idea of how many points this would be per serving? Thanks!!! And it is absolutely delicious!!!!!
Dee says
I’m glad you liked it, Ruthie! It’s an old recipes, so I don’t have any info on points, though. Sorry! 🙂
Robbie Underwood says
This turned out great and it’s a tasty dessert that’s light, good for a summer dessert. I made a change, I made a vanilla wafer crust, that is baked, bc I don’t like Graham crusts. And I have a question. One cup of pineapple is only 8 ounces. So it’s calling for just half of a 16 ounce can. Why so little? I went ahead and added about another half cup, but after it was done I felt like it could have used the full can of pineapple. What would you say?
Dee says
I added pineapple tidbits to the top, and I personally thought this was the right amount. But, you can definitely add more to the filling for even more flavor. 🙂
Bruce Deniger says
i just loved it.