This EASY blackberry cream cheese dessert has a pretzel crust, a delicious cream cheese filling, and is topped with blackberry pie filling. Super easy, super delicious.
If there’s one recipe I love making above all others, it’s an icebox cake. These desserts are so rich and sweet, and they require no or almost no baking, which makes them incredibly easy to make. I’ve been making various icebox cakes for years. From Jello fluff to berry and whipped cream and everything in between, I’ve made literally hundreds of them over the years. There are so many flavor combinations, it’s definitely possible to make a new one in one way or another every time.
Blackberry Cream Cheese Dessert
This particular icebox cake is one of my favorites to make because it combines the best of both baked and no-baked desserts into one delicious treat that takes next to no time to make. It starts with a crust made of crushed pretzels, brown sugar, flour, vanilla, and butter. It gets baked to golden, crispy perfection. After that, I just do a little mixing and layering, and voila. I have a delicious dessert. This one gives me both the crispy crust of a baked pie and the easy, creamy no-bake filling of an icebox cake. What could be better?
I love to make this for my family or bring it to potlucks. It’s so easy, I can make it for any occasion without any stress whatsoever, and that’s always a big plus. I also never have to worry about leftovers because it always gets completely devoured!
Variations
As you all know by now, I love making recipes that are super versatile. This is one of them. This recipe is very easy to switch up by simply changing a few ingredients. You can make your variations as small or as large as you like. It’s all up to you!
Different Crust
I love the pretzel crust of this recipe, but if you prefer, you can use a graham cracker crust for a different flavor.
Different Pie Filling
You can use any fruit pie filling you want in this recipe. You don’t have to change anything about how you make the dessert. Simply open a new can. Great options include:
- Blueberry
- Cherry
- Pineapple
- Peach
Frequently Asked Questions
If you have questions about this delicious blackberry cream cheese recipe, then read on. I have answers. This FAQ answers all the most common questions.
Is this really an icebox cake?
Almost. Icebox cakes are desserts similar to trifles made with cream cheese, whipped cream, and, typically, wafers. I altered it just a bit to add a baked crust. Otherwise, this is purely an icebox cake.
Can I use a graham cracker crust instead?
Absolutely. The concept and construction of the recipe remain unchanged. Just replace the crushed pretzels with graham crackers.
Can I use any pie filling with this recipe?
Yes, you can! Nothing about the recipe changes except the can that you open.
How long with this blackberry cream cheese recipe last?
This will keep in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. For longer storage, you can freeze it for up to a couple of months. Normally, it’s a bad idea to freeze a cream cheese dessert, however, because its mixed with the whipped cream the texture will remain mostly the same when it’s thawed.
Storage
This will last for up to 3 days in the refrigerator in an air-tight container. To freeze it, place it in an air-tight, freezer-safe container.
Blackberry Cream Cheese Dessert Ingredients
The ingredients needed are incredibly simple. You probably have most or all of them in your kitchen right now, which makes things even easier.
- Pretzels, crushed
- Vanilla extract
- Brown sugar
- All purpose flour
- Butter, melted
- Cream cheese, room temperature
- Powdered sugar
- Cool whip
- Blackberry pie filling
How to Make Blackberry Cream Cheese Dessert
Making this sweet treat is incredibly easy. Outside of a simple baked crust, there is no cooking involved in this recipe. Every single step is easy, and it all comes together very quickly.
Step 1: Prep
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees and spray a 9×13 baking pan with nonstick cooking spray. Measure out all of your ingredients.
Step 2: Make the Crust
Crush the pretzels into small pieces with a food processor. Then, mix the pretzels, vanilla, brown sugar, and flour together. Melt the butter and mix it into the pretzel mixture. Spread it evenly into the prepared baking dish and bake for 10 minutes. Remove from oven and allow it to cool completely.
Step 3: Make the Cream Cheese Mixture
In a medium bowl, or the bowl of a stand mixer, beat the cream cheese until smooth, and then add the powdered sugar, beating until combined. Next, add the cool whip and mix until combined.
Step 4: Layering the Blackberry Cream Cheese Dessert
Once the crust has cooled completely, spread the cream cheese mixture evenly over it. Then top it with the blackberry pie filling. Finish it off with the remaining pretzel mixture. Cover, and chill for at least 4 hours. Enjoy!
How to Make Homemade Blackberry Filling
Making a fresh blackberry filling is super easy and can be used in place of the can pie filling. To make the filling, in a medium saucepan, over medium heat, add 3-4 cups of fresh blackberries, 1 tablespoon of lemon juice, 1 tablespoon of lemon zest, and 1/3 cup of sugar to pan. Stir. Bring to a boil, stirring frequently, for about 4-5 minutes. In a small bowl, mix 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with 1 tablespoon of water together and add to blackberry mixture. Stir to combine. That’s it! Easy and delicious.
Try This Easy Blackberry Cream Cheese Dessert Today
This blackberry cream cheese dessert is so delicious and so easy to make. It comes together quickly, even with a baked crust, and it is absolutely decadent. Whether you serve it as a dessert, bring it to a potluck, or even serve it for brunch, it’s always a welcome addition to any table. Give it a try, and I know you’ll love it as much as I do.
More Delicious Cream Cheese Recipes
Blueberry Cream Cheese Bites – These delicious cream cheese bites are made with fresh blueberries and a cream cheese mixture that tastes amazing. Just a few simple ingredients to make these bite-sized treats that everyone is going to enjoy!
Cream Cheese Lemonade Pie – This delicious and creamy lemonade pie is the most popular dessert recipe on the blog. A quick and easy lemon dessert that always gets rave reviews EVERY time it is made. So tart, sweet and delicious!
Raspberry Cream Cheese Pastry – This pastry ring recipe is packed with a homemade raspberry filling and a sweet cream cheese mixture, baked in crescents, and then drizzled with glaze. Absolutely delicious!
And, here is a scrumptious Peach Cream Cheese Danish, from Deliciously Seasoned, that you might enjoy as well.
Blackberry Cream Cheese Dessert
Ingredients
- 2½ cups pretzels, crushed
- 2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons flour
- ½ cup butter, melted
- 8 ounce cream cheese, room temperature
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 8 ounce cool whip
- 21 ounce blackberry pie filling
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375° and spray a 9×13 with nonstick cooking spray.
- Crush pretzels into small pieces with food processor.
- Using a medium bowl, add pretzels, vanilla, brown sugar, and flour together until combined.
- Melt butter and add to pretzel mixture. Stir until combined.
- Spread mixture into prepared baking dish. Press mixture into a smooth layer.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes and let cool.
- In a medium bowl, beat cream cheese until smooth then add powdered sugar. Beat until combined then add cool whip and mix until combined.
- Once crust has completely cooled, spread cream cheese mixture over pretzel mixture. Top with blackberry pie filling and spread evenly.
- Top with remaining pretzel mixture.
- Cover and refrigerate for 4 hours or overnight.
Notes
Nutrition
Here are a few pics that are perfect to save to your favorite Pinterest boards.
Enjoy,
Terri
Is it gluetin free?
Hi Grace, no it is not gluten free.
How much of the crust is saved to use on top? Can’t find any quantity.
Hi Miki, save 1/4 to 1/3 cup of the crust. Or you can just crush up some pretzels and garnish the top with that as well. I hope you enjoy this recipe. :)