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 graham crackers, crushed
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
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
Such a fun dessert for summer! Looks amazing!
Thanks, Jamielyn. My family loved it!
do you drain the crushed pineapple?
Yes, you do. I fixed it in the instructions. 🙂
I will be dreaming of this tonight!
Old family recipes are the best! I love that you are sharing your grandma’s recipes…such a wonderful way to allow others to enjoy them too!
So light and fluffy – and I love how easy it is!
I love pineapple desserts! I’m going to make this for the next family gathering!
So easy and so delicious! I need to try this with all kind of fruit!:)
Always so fun to find and try one of grandma’s recipes! I’m happy you shared this one.
We will love your Pineapple Dream Dessert! Thanks so much for sharing this awesome post with us at Full Plate Thursday. Hope you are having a great day and come back soon!
Miz Helen
This looks heavenly, and I can’t wait to try it with my family!
Thanks so much, Gina. I hope you all enjoy it! 🙂
HI Dee! Just wanted to stop by and thank you for sharing your awesome dessert with all of us at Weekend Potluck – it was the most viewed recipe from last week and is featured for this week’s party! Have a wonderful Memorial Day weekend! Hope to see you at the party!
That’s awesome news! Thanks so much! 🙂
I use Dream Whip! Could you please post that version as well?
Hi, Annette. The recipe calls for adding beaten Dream Whip to the cream cheese/sugar mixture. The rest is the same. 🙂
Thanks!
FYI Dream Whip comes in a box and is usually found in the cake mix/pudding area. It is wonderful in cake! So moist with great height and a good crumb.
Hi, Annette! Thanks for letting me know. I’ve never seen it here.
My mom was known for this dessert. She made hers with ‘Dream Whip’. Thanks for posting it as I’ve been thinking about how good it was and am without the recipe. Will make it for the holiday!
Hi, Jane. The original recipe calls for Dream Whip, but I used whipped topping, instead. I hope you like it! 🙂
Happy Friday to all. Cannot wait to make this dessert. Looks divine. Question:: can I use the graham cracker crusts that are already prepared? IF f so for the amount of posted ingredients would one or two crusts be the needed amount. Thanks. Will make this tonight. Have a safe holiday weekend everyone
Hi Gail. I think that two prepared crusts would work! 🙂
Thank you Dee
Do you drain the crushed pineapple??
Yes! I’ve added that to the recipe now. 🙂
Could you use a regular pie crust instead of the graham cracker one? Not crazy about those.
Yes, a plain crust would definitely work for this. 🙂
Easy peasy. Made this on a hot summer day June 17, 2017. Very pretty, light and refreshing.
Awesome! I’m so glad you liked it — It’s one of our favorites right now. 🙂
We don’t have Cool Whip in Australia, could you offer an alternative please?
If you do a search for stabilized whipped cream, you can find recipes for making a homemade version of Cool Whip, and this would work here. I want to try it myself sometime. 🙂
The Dream whip that she said the original recipe is not a prepared whipped topping, it is sold by the cake mixes in grocers across the southern U.S. The boxes contain packets of a powdered substance, so maybe I can u can find a similar product that. I have never used it, but was actually searching for a similar dessert that used dream whip my grandmother used to make when ı came across this one.
What would be a good alternative to cocnut, unfortunately, I hate cocnut lol
Hi, Pam. The coconut is only a topping, so no problem if you want to leave it out!
I am new to making desserts and I would love to try your recipe, but on the Graham crackers is it 20 crackers as they come in the box or 20 squares? This recipe sounds really yummy. Thanks
Hi, Julie. 20 graham crackers would be 20 individual rectangles. So each square is 2 crackers, and each sheet is 4. 🙂
I am confused. So use 10 full Graham crackers from the package? 20 squares?
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.
We use Oreo cookie crumbs instead of graham wafers, mixed with some butter to bind. Save a few crumbs to sprinkle on top. Tastes amazing!
Sounds wonderful! I’ll have to try it this way next time. 🙂
Do you think I can use canned mandarin oranges? My sister in law hates pineapple
I don’t know if the consistency would be the same, but you could definitely try it. 🙂
Roast the coconut if you have time. It destroys the no bake premise.
I am curious to know if these cut like bars or is it fluffy? I need it to be firm. It sounds like a bowl type dessert. What is everyone’s experience?
This is firm enough to cut into squares — just like the picture. 🙂
I made it!!
Came out nice and firm. Lots of compliments!
Thank you
That’s awesome, June! So glad everyone liked it!
i just loved it.
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?
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. 🙂
Can you give me an idea of how many points this would be per serving? Thanks!!! And it is absolutely delicious!!!!!
I’m glad you liked it, Ruthie! It’s an old recipes, so I don’t have any info on points, though. Sorry! 🙂
Can you cut back some of the sugar in this recipe?
You could try, but the consistency might not be the same.
Can this dessert be made ahead of time and frozen for later ?
Thanks
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.
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?
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.
Do you use sweetened pineapples?
Sweetened coconut?
You can use any type of canned pineapple and shredded coconut.
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?
It needs time to set in the fridge, so it would be fine overnight. 🙂
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.
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. 🙂
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