Creamy Fresh Peach and Graham Dessert
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Today wraps up my peach recipe series, and we’re finishing strong with an incredible Creamy Fresh Peach and Graham Dessert. If you love the combination of sweet peaches and graham crackers, this dessert will be a new favorite!
This delicious treat has four scrumptious layers. The base starts with a crunchy graham cracker crust that is pressed into a 9×13 pan, with some of the crust mixture reserved for the final topping. The second layer consists of fresh, juicy peaches mixed with a homemade pie glaze to create a sweet, fruity filling that spreads beautifully over the crust.
Now, the pie glaze uses a 3-ounce package of peach Jello. However, this can be hard to find at the grocery store. If your store doesn’t have it, orange Jello works almost just as well. So just grab a package of that instead of going on a hunt for peach Jello.
The third layer brings in the creaminess, made from a blend of cream cheese, powdered sugar, and Cool Whip for a light and smooth texture. Finally, the dessert is topped with a sprinkle of the remaining graham cracker mixture, adding a satisfying crunch to each bite. It’s like enjoying a giant, creamy peach pie in dessert form. You will want to add this peach dessert to your collection to make each year!
Ingredients to Make Creamy Fresh Peach and Graham Dessert
- GRAHAM CRACKERS
- BUTTER
- SUGAR
- WATER
- FRESH PEACHES
- CORNSTARCH
- PEACH JELLO (OR ORANGE JELLO)
- CREAM CHEESE
- POWDERED SUGAR
- CREAM CHEESE
- COOL WHIP
How to Make Creamy Fresh Peach and Graham Dessert
Prepare the Graham Cracker Crust
- Start by crushing the graham crackers in a food processor until they form fine crumbs. Transfer the graham cracker crumbs to a mixing bowl and add the sugar, stirring to combine.
- Pour melted butter over the graham cracker and sugar mixture and stir until the crumbs are evenly moistened. Set aside 1 cup of the crumb mixture for the topping.
- To the remaining graham cracker mixture, add 1 tablespoon of water and press it firmly into the bottom of a 13×9-inch baking pan to form the crust.
- Bake the crust in a preheated oven at 375°F for 8 minutes. Once baked, set the crust aside and allow it to cool while you prepare the filling.
Prepare the Peach Filling
- In a medium saucepan, combine water, sugar, and cornstarch. Bring the mixture to a boil, stirring frequently until thickened.
- Once boiling, add peach-flavored Jello and stir until completely dissolved. Remove from heat and allow the mixture to cool slightly.
- While the mixture cools, peel and slice fresh peaches. Once the Jello mixture has cooled, gently fold in the peach slices. Pour the peach filling evenly over the cooled graham cracker crust.
- Refrigerate the dessert for 2-4 hours or until the filling has set.
Prepare the Cream Layer
- Cream the softened cream cheese and powdered sugar in a separate bowl until smooth. Fold in the Cool Whip until well combined, creating a light, fluffy cream layer.
- Once the peach filling has set, spread the cream cheese mixture evenly over the top. Chill the dessert for at least 1 more hour.
The Finishing Touches
- Before serving, sprinkle the reserved graham cracker crumb mixture over the cream layer for a crunchy, sweet topping.
- Slice and serve. This recipe serves about 12 people and is a perfect dessert with its blend of creamy, fruity, and crunchy layers.
Enjoy this delightful Fresh Peach and Graham Dessert that’s perfect for gatherings or whenever you’re craving something fresh and creamy!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use frozen or canned peaches instead of fresh?
Yes, you can substitute fresh peaches with canned or frozen peaches if fresh ones aren’t available. If using canned peaches, drain them well before adding them to the filling. If using frozen peaches, thaw them completely and pat them dry to avoid extra moisture.
How far in advance can I make this dessert?
You can make this dessert a day ahead. Prepare the crust, filling, and cream layer, then refrigerate until ready to serve. To keep it crunchy, add the reserved graham cracker topping just before serving.
Can I make this dessert gluten-free?
Yes, you can make this recipe gluten-free by using gluten-free graham crackers for the crust. All other ingredients are naturally gluten-free, but double-check the labels to ensure there is no hidden gluten.
How do I prevent the crust from becoming soggy?
Make sure to cool the baked graham cracker crust fully before adding the peach filling. Also, make sure the peach filling has cooled before pouring it over the crust. This helps keep the crust crisp.
Can I use homemade whipped cream instead of Cool Whip?
Absolutely! You can replace Cool Whip with homemade whipped cream. Simply whip heavy cream with a bit of powdered sugar and vanilla extract until soft peaks form, then use it in place of Cool Whip in the cream layer.
How long does this dessert last in the fridge?
This dessert will stay fresh in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To maintain freshness, cover it tightly with plastic wrap or store it in an airtight container.
FOR MORE RECIPES LIKE THIS, TRY:
Creamy Fresh Peach and Graham Dessert
Real Mom Kitchen
Equipment
Ingredients
CRUST:
- 2 sleeves graham crackers crushed (or 2 cups)
- ½ cup butter melted
- 6 Tbsp sugar
- 1 Tbsp water
PEACH FILLING:
- 5 cups fresh peaches peeled & diced
- 2 cups water
- 1 cup sugar
- 2 Tbsp cornstarch
- 3 oz pkg peach Jello or orange Jello
CREAMY LAYER:
- 8 oz pkg cream cheese
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- 8 oz pkg Cool Whip
Instructions
- FOR THE CRUST: Crush the graham crackers in a food processor and add to a bowl. Mix in the sugar. Pour over the crushed crackers/sugar mixture and stir until the crumbs are moist. Set aside 1 cup of the mixture for the the top.
- Add 1 tablespoon water to the remaining graham mixture and press into the bottom of a 13×9″ pan.
- Bake the crust at 375 degrees for 8 minutes. Allow the crust to cool while you prepare the filling.
- FOR THE FILLING: Bring the water, sugar, and cornstarch to a boil. Add in the peach jello and stir till dissolved. Remove from heat and allow to cool. I peach and cut my peaches with the filling cools. Add the peaches once cooled and gently pour over the cooled crust. Chill for 2 to 4 hours until set.
- FOR THE CREAM LAYER: Cream together the cream cheese and powdered sugar. Fold in the cool whip. Spread over the top of the set jello filling and chill for at least 1 hour. Sprinkle the remaining graham cracker crumb mixture over the top before serving. Serves 12.
Nutrition
This recipe is adapted from Classy Clutter.