Crunchy cookie crumbs, a no-bake cheesecake filling, juicy peaches, and sweet creamy topping make this Peaches and Cream layered dessert delicious! This no-bake dessert is perfect for bringing to your next picnic, bbq, potluck or holiday get together.
What exactly is this dessert? Is it more like a no-bake cheesecake, cobbler, crisp, or maybe a pie? We know, we had a hard time deciding that too.
We've seen it called Peach Yum Yum, Peach Sensation, or Peach Delight. But regardless of what you choose to call it, fresh juicy peaches layered with a creamy light cheesecake filling on a crumbled cookie crust sure is delicious!
This make ahead layered dessert is easy to prepare quickly and perfect for refrigerating until ready to serve and enjoy. If you love a good make ahead dish like I do check out these other favorite recipes.
Ham and Cheese Breakfast Casserole or French Toast Bake for breakfast. Chessmen Banana Pudding, Orange Creamsicle Pie, or No-Bake Raspberry Cheesecake for dessert.
🥫 Ingredients
Simple pantry ingredients and fresh peaches are all you need to prepare this easy, yet delicious dessert in just minutes!
- Vanilla Wafers
- Sugar
- Butter
- Milk
- Instant Cheesecake Pudding
- Almond or Vanilla Extract
- Peaches
- Whipping Cream
- Powdered Sugar
🥣 Step-by-Step Instructions
Crust
Firstly, we need to prepare the crumbled cookie crust. Let's begin by blending or crushing the vanilla wafers in a food processor or blender. When they are the texture of sand add the sugar and melted butter and stir till combined.
Then transfer the cookie crumb mixture into a 9"x13" casserole dish, pressing the crumbs flat to form the bottom layer and crust. When done, set the crust aside to begin the next layer.
Pudding
Secondly, in a mixing bowl combine the milk, pudding powder and extract. You can choose to use almond or vanilla extract, we personally love this with almond extract. Using an electric hand mixer beat ingredients together for two minutes being sure to combine everything till smooth. Then allow the pudding mixture to sit for 3-5 minutes so it can set.
When the pudding is set transfer the mixture to your casserole dish and gently spread it across your cookie crust. This will create your second layer for your Peaches and Cream layered dessert.
Just be sure to be careful when spreading the pudding, not to stir up any of the cookie crumbles into the mixture. You will want to spread the pudding all the way to the edges of the dish to make a good seal for your peaches.
Once your second layer is down transfer the casserole dish back to the fridge to chill while you prepare your peaches for the third layer.
Peaches
When your dish is chilling again in the fridge it is time to prepare the peaches. Using a fruit or vegetable peeler you can peel your peaches.
Or you can also peel your peaches by blanching them for one minute in boiling water and then quickly transferring them to an ice bath. Like magic the skins will practically fall off.
Afterwards, slice the peaches into wedges and lay them side by side so that they are tightly next to one another. Continue this until all of the pudding mixture is covered.
Then with any remaining peach slices add a second layer being sure to cover any open spots or thinner areas. Once peaches are all layered place dish back in the fridge to chill while you prepare the final layer.
Whipped Topping
In a mixing bowl combine the whipping cream and powdered sugar using an electric hand mixer to whip mixture until smooth. Afterwards, remove the Peaches and Cream layered dessert from the fridge and spread the whipped topping over the top.
Be careful to spread the whipped topping all the way to the edges to seal off the peaches. Getting a good seal from your pudding and whipped topping layers will help to keep your peaches fresh and from browning.
Refrigerate and Enjoy
Lastly, after all the layers are in place cover your Peaches and Cream Layered Dessert and place in the fridge to chill for 2-4 hours for optimal flavor and texture. This will give your cookie crust just enough time to soften a bit and all your flavors to meld. Slice up and enjoy!
👩🏻🍳 Make it Your Own
Fruit - Switching out those peaches for any other favorite fruits make this dish perfect for enjoying year round. Fruits like berries, bananas or soft cooked apples would all be yummy!
Crust - Change it up and play with your crust by switching out the vanilla wafers for any other cookie favorites. Pecan Sandies, Graham Crackers, Chessmen or another Shortbread cookie would all be delicious.
💭 Top Tips
Canned or Frozen Peaches
Fresh peaches offer a nice bite and delicious flavor. When possible, we always encourage you to go fresh! But you can use frozen or canned peaches if you are in an absolute pinch.
If using frozen peaches, you will want to thaw them in advance. Then regardless of wether using canned or frozen you will want to drain and pat your peaches as dry as possible.
Too much extra liquid will make your dessert soggy and unstable making it difficult to serve.
Peeling Peaches
If you do choose to use fresh peaches you don't need to be intimidated when it comes to peeling them. The easiest way to peel your peaches is blanching them for one minute in boiling water and then transferring them to an ice bath. Like magic the skins will practically fall off.
🍽 Storing
Store any Peaches and Cream layered dessert leftovers in the fridge for up to 2 to 3 days in an airtight container. The juice from the peaches may seep out of the dessert, but just drain the excess juices off and enjoy!
📋 FAQ's
Can you use canned or frozen peaches to make Peaches and Cream dessert?
Fresh peaches are always best in a no-bake dessert like this Peaches and Cream layered dessert. Fresh peaches offer a nice bite and the yummiest, juicy flavor.
But you can use frozen or canned peaches if in a pinch. When using frozen peaches, you will want to thaw them in advance. Then regardless of wether using canned or frozen you will want to drain and pat your peaches as dry as possible before using them.
What is the easiest way to peel peaches?
The easiest way to peel your peaches is blanching them for one minute in boiling water and then transferring them to an ice bath. Like magic the skins will practically fall off. But you can also use a vegetable and fruit peeler to peel your peaches if desired.
Can you prepare peaches and cream dessert ahead of time?
This layered dessert is easy to prepare and can absolutely be made ahead of time. Our Peaches and Cream layered dessert comes together quickly and can be refrigerated until ready to serve and enjoy.
Peaches and Cream Layered Dessert
A buttery cookie crust, silky cheesecake filling, juicy peaches, and creamy whipped topping come together to make this layered no-bake dessert a cool and refreshing treat.
Ingredients
- 2½ cups crushed vanilla wafers
- 4 tablespoons sugar
- 8 tablespoons butter, melted
- 2 cups milk
- 3.4 ounces instant cheesecake pudding
- ¼ teaspoon vanilla or almond extract
- 6 - 10 peaches
- 1 pint whipping cream
- ½ cup powdered sugar
Instructions
- Blend the vanilla wafers in a food processor till the texture of sand.
- In a bowl add the sugar and melted butter to the cookie crumbs. Mix together until the mixture is fully combined.
- Transfer the cookie crumb mixture into a 9"x13" casserole dish and press the crumbs flat to form the bottom crust. Set dish aside.
- In a mixing bowl combine cold milk, pudding and extract. Beat mixture together for two minutes with an electric mixer until fully combined and smooth. Allow mixture to sit for 3-5 minutes to set.
- Add pudding to the casserole dish and gently spread across the cookie crust being careful to spread all the way to the edges to create a full seal.
- Place dish in the fridge to chill.
- Peel peaches and slice into wedges. Layer peaches across the pudding layer so they lay side by side tightly until pudding is covered. Use remaining peaches to add a second layer of peaches over any open spots or thinner areas. Place dish in fridge to chill.
- In a mixing bowl combine whipping cream and powdered sugar using an electric hand mixer to whip the topping until smooth.
- Remove the dish from the fridge and add whipped topping for final layer. Spread the topping across to all edges to seal off the peaches to keep them from browning.
- Once top layer is added, the dish is ready to serve. If you have time cover the dish and place in the fridge to chill for 2 to 4 hours for best texture and flavor.
Notes
- Switch out the vanilla wafers for any other cookie favorites like Pecan Sandies, Graham Crackers, Chessmen Cookies, or Shortbread Cookies.
- Swap out peaches for other favorite fruits like berries, bananas or soft cooked apples.
- For easy peach peeling try blanching your peaches in boiling water for one minute and quickly transferring to an ice bath. Skins will peel off easily.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield: 12 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 431Total Fat: 28gSaturated Fat: 16gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 10gCholesterol: 74mgSodium: 227mgCarbohydrates: 42gFiber: 3gSugar: 31gProtein: 5g