Another Comforting Dessert

Here at the ranch, we're enjoying a few glorious days of moderate temperatures and low humidity. The kind of weather that has us throwing open the windows and spending a lot of time outdoors. 

Baby wrens are learning how to fly.

And this mulberry tree that we've never seen fruit on before is suddenly bursting with berries.

Even an afternoon rain shower can't make us head inside. Peaceful. Relaxing.

BTW, that's the mulberry tree with the ladder beside it. Hubby has been picking the berries. They're very tasty, though I don't think we can gather enough to do anything with. 

With temps in the 80s though, I wasn't about to turn on the oven. Even for comfort food. Fortunately, comfort food doesn't always come out of the oven. The pantry and fridge can play well together to come up with a satisfying treat.

Whether you call it Cherry Yum-Yum, Cherry Delight or some other name, this easy dessert is a classic. The best part is that the ingredients could very well be in your fridge or pantry right now.

• 1 3/4 cups crushed graham cracker crumbs
• 1/3 cup sugar, plus 1 tablespoon
• 1/4 cup melted butter
• 1 envelope Dream Whip
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1 tsp vanilla, divided
• 8 oz pkg cream cheese, softened
• 1 can cherry pie filling

Mix crushed graham crackers, 1 tablespoon sugar and melted butter in medium bowl, then pressed evenly into 9x9 baking dish.

Mix the Dream Whip with milk and 1/2 tsp vanilla in medium bowl. Mix on low to blend, then beat on high for 4 minutes, until peaks form.

Set aside.

In a large bowl, beat softened cream cheese, 1/3 cup sugar and the remaining 1/2 tsp vanilla.

Add Dream Whip to cream cheese mixture and mix on low to medium, until completely mixed.

Spoon over crust.

Spread evenly.

Spoon pie filling over that, taking care when spreading so as not to disturb the cream layer.

Cover with plastic wrap and chill for a minimum of 3 hours, or overnight.

 That's some good eatin' right there. I like that it's not super rich. And the tang of the cherries with the cream is one of my favorites.

Our delightful weather had us washing windows all weekend. Inside and out. It's a chore I gladly procrastinate on, but I sure do love the results. 

What's keeping you busy? Chores? Writing? Kiddos?

Three time Carol Award finalist Mindy Obenhaus is passionate about touching readers with Biblical truths in an entertaining, and sometimes adventurous, manner. She lives on a ranch in Texas with her husband, one sassy pup, countless cattle, deer and the occasional coyote, mountain lion or snake. When she's not writing, she enjoys spending time with her grandchildren, cooking and watching copious amounts of the Hallmark Channel. Learn more at mindyobenhaus.com