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Home » Recipes » Desserts

Pineapple Dream

Stacey – June 13, 2018 – 49 Comments

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Slice of Pineapple Dream on white serving dish

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This Pineapple Dream is one of those recipes that’s been floating around for years – and for good reason… it’s AMAZING!  It’s a light, fluffy dessert of crushed pineapple, cream cheese, and whipped topping, all sandwiched between layers of a delicious graham cracker crust.

Slice of Pineapple Dream on white plateTraditionally, the filling is two layers and the crust and topping is just graham cracker crumbs and butter.  I’ve updated it to make the process simpler (without any loss in flavor) by turning the filling into a single layer and added even a little more flavor to the crust.

Slice of Pineapple Dream with bite on fork

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It’s the perfect summer dessert that y’all are just going to devour.  It also makes a killer potluck dessert.  Everyone will be asking for the recipe!  Y’all are gonna love it!

Slice of Pineapple Dream on white serving dish
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4.88 from 8 votes

Recipe Card

Pineapple Dream Dessert

Course Dessert
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings 9 servings
Author Stacey Little | Southern Bite

Ingredients

For the crust:

  • 2 1/2 cups crushed graham crackers
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter
  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt

For the filling:

  • 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 2 cups powdered sugar
  • 1 (20-ounce) can crushed pineapple, very well drained
  • 1 (8-ounce) container frozen whipped topping, thawed

Instructions

For the crust:

  • Preheat the oven to 300°F.  
  • Melt the butter and combine the graham crackers, butter, sugar, and salt.  Stir until the graham crackers are coated in the butter.  Pour about 2 cups of the mixture into the bottom of an 8x8-inch baking dish and firmly press flat to form the crust.  I like to use the bottom of a metal measuring cup for this.  Set the remaining crumb mixture aside to be used as the topping.  Bake the crust for about 10 minutes.  Cool completely.  

For the filling:

  • In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese and butter together.  Add the powdered sugar and mix well.  Add the drained pineapple and stir to combine.  Fold in the whipped topping.  
  • Once the crust has cooled, spread the pineapple mixture evenly over the crust.  Sprinkle the top with the remaining crumb mixture.  Refrigerate overnight (or at least 4 hours) to allow the filling to set.  
Slice of Pineapple Dream on white serving dish
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Feeding people makes me happy. Few things in this world delight me more than my family and friends gathered around my table enjoying a meal. Pull up a chair and join us! Read more…

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  1. Maria Chua

    November 20, 2022 at 10:11 pm

    I would like to make a couple days in advance if it doesnt make it icky. How many days in advance can it be made and still be good as far as texture? And does it freeze well?

    Reply
    • Stacey

      November 21, 2022 at 2:37 pm

      I would think you’d not want to make this too far in advance. I wouldn’t recommend any more than a day. Freezing certainly might be a better option.

      Reply
  2. guillermo

    October 30, 2022 at 11:56 am

    Mmm,se ve muy rico

    Reply
  3. Deb

    August 8, 2022 at 11:38 am

    This recipe is a hit at my house. I have made it several times. Make sure you use a brand of pineapple that is tasty. I tried a cheap brand once and everyone noticed it was not as good.

    Reply
  4. Lynn Kosloski

    January 15, 2021 at 3:08 pm

    Could you use frozen strawberries instead of pineapple, ?
    I made the pineapple one couldn’t take a picture to send they ate it before I got home, I had tried it at a friends the pineapple one it was delicious
    That’s why it was gone before I got home.
    Will be waiting for more DELICIOUS DESSERTS.????

    Reply
    • Stacey

      January 18, 2021 at 3:59 pm

      Hmmm… I’m not sure. But that sounds absolutely delicious!

      Reply
  5. Kim

    January 10, 2021 at 2:24 pm

    Southern bite;
    Hi,I just found your pineapple dream dessert,and I am going to copy down your recipe and make it today at home.Can I use one cup of powdered sugar instead of 2 cups of powdered sugar in the recipe.
    Kim

    Reply
    • Stacey

      January 12, 2021 at 1:07 pm

      That should work, though the filling will be a bit thinner due to the smaller amount of sugar.

      Reply
  6. Robyn G Bolle

    October 9, 2020 at 9:46 am

    I added Coconut and chopped Pecans to filling. Yummy!

    Reply
    • Stacey

      October 9, 2020 at 12:32 pm

      That sounds delish!!

      Reply
  7. Amy

    May 29, 2020 at 6:05 am

    Hi I’m from the uk and want to make this. I may be being stupid but what is whipped topping?

    Reply
    • Stacey

      May 29, 2020 at 10:34 am

      No worries! The most common brand in the US is Cool Whip. It’s a stabilized whipped cream product. You can Google “Cool Whip Recipe” and find a few recipes to make a stabilized version of whipped cream that should work as a replacement.

      Reply
  8. Paulette

    April 18, 2020 at 2:22 pm

    Mine is currently in the refrigerator! I had to use greek yogurt (full fat) instead of cream cheese. Due to covid19, I have to use what’s lying around and avoid the stores. Fingers crossed for a nice, firm dessert 🙂 I’ll find out tomorrow at Sunday dinner! Stay safe.

    Reply
    • Stacey

      April 20, 2020 at 11:59 am

      Hope it turned out amazing for you!

      Reply
  9. J. Riley

    February 26, 2020 at 8:00 am

    I love this recipe because it’s just so wonderfully flexible! I frequently use this very same recipe but double it in to 2 layers or triple it into 3 (like a trifle) depending on crowd size. To do this…
    Graham cracker crust as described,
    layer 1 is mango fluff (as described for pineapple fluff)
    layer 2 is pinapple fluff
    layer 3 is mandrin fluff (as described for pineapple).
    Top with graham cracker mixture.

    *A small pkg of like flavored jello sugar give a flavor boost and a extra punch to colors.
    **Depending on crowd, I will sometimes I will add fresh fruit, toasted almonds/coconut/pecans on the side (for those with allergies).
    ***When in a pinch, I have substituted sugar cookies, nilla wafers, blonde Oreos, Cheerios, or oat & honey granola bars for Graham cracker crust. I generally omit the extra sugar as I believe all of these items have enough sugar in them that it does not affect the taste.
    ****I have used fresh fruit as garnish or decoration.
    These versions are definitely not diabetic friendly.

    Reply
    • Stacey

      February 27, 2020 at 10:24 am

      This sounds amazing! Thanks for sharing!!

      Reply
  10. Sharon

    December 22, 2019 at 1:06 am

    My mother made this with thin jello that she set on a baking sheet with sides then sliced into small squares. Then it’s combined with sweetened whipped cream and the drained pineapple. Same baked graham crust and crumb topping. Any flavor jello may be used, but raspberry is my favorite and so much prettier than the plain pineapple version.

    Reply
    • Stacey

      December 23, 2019 at 2:29 pm

      How interesting! That sounds great!!

      Reply
  11. Judie

    October 3, 2019 at 10:22 pm

    One of my coworkers brought this dessert to work yesterday. Pineapple Dream is so light and one of freshest desserts I’ve ever tasted. Great recipe!!

    Reply
    • Stacey

      October 4, 2019 at 1:12 pm

      So kind of your coworker to share! So glad y’all enjoyed it!

      Reply
  12. Val

    July 22, 2019 at 8:35 am

    Can this be frozen than thawed

    Reply
    • Stacey

      July 22, 2019 at 10:58 am

      Hmm… I don’t see why not – though I’ve never tried it.

      Reply
  13. Dawn

    July 14, 2019 at 3:51 pm

    Can you make this in a 13 X 9 pan. My mom used to make something like this it was good.

    Reply
    • Stacey

      July 15, 2019 at 7:35 pm

      I’ve only ever done it in an 8×8.

      Reply
    • Diana

      April 15, 2022 at 6:17 am

      Is there a substitute for the frozen whipped cream pls? They don’t sell it in Australia and I don’t wanna compromise the consistency of I just use normal whipped cream?
      Thanks!

      Reply
      • Stacey

        April 15, 2022 at 11:46 am

        I’ve sometimes used a stabilized whipped cream like this: https://www.365daysofbakingandmore.com/stabilized-whipped-cream/

        Reply
  14. Sadie Day

    July 3, 2019 at 7:29 pm

    Making this for the 4th of July. I took a small taste and it was very good.

    Reply
    • Stacey

      July 5, 2019 at 10:07 am

      Hope everyone loved it!

      Reply
  15. Karen

    June 13, 2019 at 11:08 pm

    Just like Grandma’s without the raw egg! Loved it. 5 stars!

    Reply
    • Stacey

      June 14, 2019 at 11:22 am

      So glad you enjoyed it, Karen!!

      Reply
  16. Amy McPeters

    April 22, 2019 at 9:57 am

    The tastes of this cream mixture reminds me of a childhood favorite of mine called strawberry yum-yum! I use dream whip in it but this was just as great with less work! I think I drained too much juice off my pineapple because I could barely taste it. I had leftover crumb mixture and still felt like I used too much. Even though I’ll do it a little differently next time, I will make again! Thanks for the recipe! 🙂

    Reply
    • Stacey

      April 22, 2019 at 10:22 am

      Glad you enjoyed it, Amy!

      Reply
  17. Dana

    September 30, 2018 at 12:19 am

    This looks like a version of a pie my Mother used to make many years ago called Million Dollar pie. Hers was in a graham cracker crust shell and also had pecans in it. It was SOOO good!

    Reply
    • Stacey

      October 1, 2018 at 11:11 am

      🙂 🙂 🙂

      Reply
  18. Pat Mapley

    June 18, 2018 at 8:00 pm

    I made this as written for Father’s Day. Very easy and pretty good. I think it would be better with 2 cans of well drained pineapple which should give it more of a pineapple flavor.

    Reply
    • Stacey

      June 19, 2018 at 10:29 am

      Hmmm… interesting idea! I might have to try that.

      Reply
      • Barbara Anderson

        June 26, 2018 at 2:21 pm

        I make one simular to this but with a layer of bananas then the pineapple and the cool whip on top sprinkles with pecans and cherries on top. We call it banana split cake!

        Reply
        • Stacey

          June 27, 2018 at 9:10 am

          Sounds amazing!!

          Reply
  19. Julie @ Back To My Southern Roots

    June 15, 2018 at 12:05 pm

    I bet this tastes amazing. I love the combination of creamy and crunchy!

    Reply
    • Stacey

      June 18, 2018 at 2:19 pm

      Thanks, Julie! We just love it!

      Reply
  20. Patti Moss

    June 13, 2018 at 4:58 pm

    This looks absolutely delicious and refreshing! I can hardly wait to try it. Thanks, Stacey.

    Reply
    • Stacey

      June 14, 2018 at 8:53 am

      Thanks! I sure hope you’ll enjoy it!!

      Reply
  21. Vickie

    June 13, 2018 at 2:51 pm

    Thank you for this post and memory! My Mama used to make this recipe but she called it refrigerator cheesecake. In fact, she preferred it frozen and served it that way! She has been gone for a few years now and it has been several more before that since she last was able to make this. I had completely forgotten about it and am going to her recipe book to see if I still have her copy-hope it is in her handwriting! But it is nice to know I have this one as a backup!

    Reply
    • Stacey

      June 14, 2018 at 8:52 am

      Those handwritten recipes are such treasures, Vickie!

      Reply
    • Tina Blake

      September 1, 2019 at 1:43 pm

      I would have too give this a 5-star.
      I just got finished making my 2nd
      One. This is absolute delicious.
      This isn’t a hard recipe at all too make. If you are thinking about making it, I would recommend 100
      Percent go for it. There will not
      Be any regrets. Thanks,,
      Southern bite.

      Reply
      • Stacey

        September 3, 2019 at 11:54 am

        So glad it turned out GREAT for you!

        Reply
    • Camille

      July 18, 2022 at 5:19 pm

      I made the Pineapple Dream in a round pie. I remember my mom making it as well, but, Unfortunately I couldn’t eat it. I posted it on my social media, and, included due to my health I couldn’t eat it. About 10 minutes later my neighbor knocked on the door, and, told me he, and, his son would eat it. He brought the dish back, and, asked me to make another for a bbq he was attending 😂😂😂😂

      Reply
      • Stacey

        July 19, 2022 at 1:04 pm

        Well this sounds perfect!

        Reply

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Stacey Little of Southern Bite

Hey, y’all! I’m Stacey…

Feeding people makes me happy. Few things in this world delight me more than my family and friends gathered around my table enjoying a meal. Pull up a chair and join us! Read more…

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