Pineapple Dream Dessert Bars – An Easy (Small Batch) No Bake Recipe

Pineapple Dream Dessert Bars are the perfect dessert to make during the hot, summer months, not only for the light and refreshing flavor but also because this is an easy, no-bake recipe. With just 6 ingredients you will create a creamy filling that is infused with pineapple flavor and that is nestled between two layers of graham cracker crumbs.

It is a nostalgic dessert that brings back memories of childhood for many people. It was commonly served during the summer months, and it became a dessert of choice around the holidays.

However, the classic recipe was enough to feed 18-24 servings. Which is fantastic when taking a dessert to a potluck to share with family and friends.

However, when cooking for two or for a smaller crowd it simply isn’t practical to make a dessert that large. So instead, I developed a recipe that will give you the same flavors and the same ratio of graham cracker to pineapple filling, but in a smaller size.

Although instead of making a tiny portion that provides 2 servings, I have portioned the size to provide 6 large servings. This will still allow you to share it with friends at a small cookout.

Or even better, it will allow you to enjoy extra servings for a day or two!

Ingredients To Make Pineapple Dream No Bake Dessert Bars:

This easy, no bake pineapple dream dessert bars recipe requires only 6 common ingredients. However, a few of the ingredients are divided and used in multiple layers to give you consistent flavor in every bite.

1. Graham Crackers

Standard graham crackers are used as the base of the crust to hold the pineapple infused filling. However you will also use graham crackers as the crunchy top coating.

For this recipe you will need 1 sleeve of graham crackers. This will make approximately 1 1/4 cups of graham cracker crumbs.

To turn graham crackers into crumbs you can use two methods. First, and easiest method is with the use of a food processor. Simply place broken pieces of graham crackers in the food processor and pulse until fine crumbs form.

However, if you don’t have a large food processor like my Hamilton Beach Duo, you can crush the graham crackers by hand. Do this by placing the crackers in a resealable plastic bag. Then either use a rolling pin or flat meat mallet and crush them into crumbs.

2. Butter

You will need 1 stick of butter. However half of the butter needs to be softened to room temperature prior to being added to the pineapple dream dessert bars filling.

Therefore, cut the stick in half and let it sit at room temperature while you prepare the graham cracker crust with the other half of the butter. The crust is made by melting this half of the butter and mixing it with the crushed graham crackers.

The crust then goes into the freezer to become firm. And by that time the remaining half of the butter will be soft.

3. Powdered Sugar

To sweeten the creamy filling, powdered sugar is used. I am not a huge fan of super sweet desserts, therefore I use 1 cup of powdered sugar in this recipe.

However, if you like super sweet desserts, you can add an additional 1/2 cup of powdered sugar to the filling.

4. Cream Cheese

Cream cheese is used to bind the no bake dessert filling together and provide a slight tangy flavor that pairs well with the taste of pineapple. Although you will only need a small amount of cream cheese in this Pineapple Dream Dessert Bars recipe.

In fact, you will only use 1/4 of a block of cream cheese. You can use full fat, reduced-fat or even fat free cream cheese. Then use the other portion of the cream cheese bar to make Cream Cheese Pasta or No Bake Key Lime Cheesecake.

5. Whipped Topping

To lighten the filling up a bit you will need whipped topping. However be sure to use the tub whipped topping and not the kind that you find in a can to top desserts.

6. Crushed Pineapple

You will need 10 ounces of crushed pineapple to give your dessert that classic pineapple flavor. That means you will use 1/2 of a standard size can.

However, because I don’t use crushed pineapple very often (unless I am making a Pineapple Cherry Dump Cake) I will typically use pineapple tidbits and turn them into crushed pineapple.

How To Make Crushed Pineapple From Tidbits

If you have a food processor you can easily turn the tidbits into crushed pineapple. To do this, drain the tidbits and place half of them (10 ounces) into a food processor.

Pulse 2-4 times until they resemble crushed pineapples. It is that easy!

Important Recipe Tips

1. Be sure to combine the melted butter and graham crackers well. In order for the crust to set up properly the crumbs must be nice and moist.

2. Freeze the crust before adding the filling. You don’t want the no bake pineapple dream dessert filling to seep down into the crust so be sure to freeze the crust for at least 20 minutes or until firm to the touch.

3. Be sure that the butter and cream cheese are at room temperature before mixing. Otherwise you will end up with clumps in the filling.

4. Use thawed whipped topping. If you purchased frozen whipped topping, be sure it is thawed all the way through and is easy to stir before adding it to the filling.

5. For a stronger pineapple flavor use crushed pineapple in heavy syrup. Most often I purchase pineapples in pineapple juice. However if you would like a strong pineapple taste it is best to use those packed in heavy syrup.

6. Serve from frozen. Because the filling is light and creamy it is best to serve this dessert straight out of the freezer. However in order to cut the bars easily you may need to let it sit out at room temperature for a few minutes.

No Bake Pineapple Dream Dessert Bars Recipe

*A printable recipe card is located at the bottom of this article which contains the specific measurements, temperatures and cook times. However, continue reading below to learn about more helpful tips about this specific recipe.

INGREDIENTS

• 1 1/4 cups graham crumbs, divided
• 1/2 cup butter, unsalted
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 1/4 cup butter, unsalted & softened
• 2 oz cream cheese, softened
• 4 oz refrigerated Whipped Topping (ex. Cool Whip)
• 10 oz crushed pineapple, drained well

INSTRUCTIONS

Melt butter in the microwave and allow to cool. Combine the crumbs and butter and toss together until incorporated. Press 1 cup of the crumb mixture firmly into a 5 x 5 inch square pan (reserve the other 1/4 cup for later use). Place in the freezer for at least 20 minutes.

Prepare the first layer of the filling by beating the softened cream cheese and softened butter together until creamy. Add the powdered sugar and mix on low until incorporated. Then increase the mixer speed and beat on high for one minute.

Add a tablespoon of the drained, crushed pineapple and stir using a silicone spatula. Then spread the mixture carefully over the chilled crust, covering the entire surface.

Fold the remaining pineapple into the whipped topping. Stir until well incorporated. Then spread the topping on top of the cream cheese mixture.

Sprinkle the 1/4 cup of the graham cracker crumb mixture evenly over the top surface. Place in the freezer for at least 4 hours before serving.

To Serve: remove the dessert from the freezer just long enough that you can cut through the bottom crust easier. Serve from partially frozen.

Then cover and store the leftovers in the freezer for up to 2 weeks (but it won’t last that long).

Enjoy! Mary

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