There’s just something magical about holiday desserts, isn’t there? Whether it’s Easter brunch or Christmas dinner, a show-stopping dessert really ties the whole celebration together. My absolute favorite for a lighter, brighter finish to any festive meal has to be this Chilled Peach Cream Pie for Easter, Christmas. It’s just so wonderfully refreshing and luxuriously creamy, cutting through all those rich holiday flavors like a dream.
I remember the first time I made this for my family. It was a warm Easter Sunday, and everyone was raving about the ham and all the fixings, but then came dessert. This pie, with its cool, smooth peach filling nestled in a crisp crust, was a total hit! It’s so easy to whip up, which is a lifesaver when you’re juggling so many other dishes. Plus, the subtle peach flavor is just perfect, not too overpowering, and it always brings a smile to everyone’s faces. It’s become our go-to for a reason!
Oh, the sheer delight of sinking your fork into this Chilled Peach Cream Pie for Easter, Christmas! It’s this incredible balance of textures – that crisp, buttery crust giving way to a cloud-like, velvety peach filling. The flavor is just sunshine in a bite, sweet and a little tangy from the peaches, all smoothed out by that lovely cream cheese base. It’s honestly the perfect refreshing counterpoint to all the heavier dishes you might have on your holiday table, whether it’s spring or winter. And the best part? It’s a no-bake wonder, meaning less time fussing in the kitchen and more time enjoying your loved ones. It truly makes any gathering feel extra special!
Alright, let’s get down to business! To make this dreamy Chilled Peach Cream Pie for Easter, Christmas, you’ll need a few key players. Don’t worry, it’s all super straightforward and the results are so worth it. First things first, you need a good base, so grab yourself one pre-baked 9-inch pie crust. You can totally buy one or make your own if you’re feeling ambitious! For the star of the show, we’re using about 2 cups of sliced peaches. Fresh is amazing, but if you can only find frozen, just make sure they’re thawed out and maybe drained a little so they don’t make your filling too watery. Oh, and the creamy magic comes from an 8-ounce package of cream cheese, but here’s the trick: it NEEDS to be softened. Like, really soft, sitting on the counter for a good hour or so. This makes sure you don’t end up with any lumpy bits!
Essential Components for Your Chilled Peach Cream Pie
- 1 pre-baked 9-inch pie crust
- 2 cups sliced peaches (fresh or frozen, thawed)
- 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, fully softened
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 cup chopped pecans (optional, but oh-so-good!)
Alright, let’s get this pie put together! It’s honestly so simple, you’ll be amazed. First things first, grab a nice big bowl. You want to beat that softened cream cheese with the granulated sugar until it’s super smooth and creamy. Seriously, no lumps allowed! Then, we’ll add in the milk, that splash of vanilla extract, and a little pinch of salt. Give it another good mix until everything is just perfectly combined. It should look really smooth and luscious.
Now for the peaches! Gently fold those lovely sliced peaches into the cream cheese mixture. Be gentle here; we don’t want to mash them all up, just get them coated nicely. If you’re feeling fancy and decided to grab those pecans, now’s the time to sprinkle them in too. They add such a nice little crunch!
Once that’s all mixed up, pour all that glorious peach filling into your waiting pre-baked pie crust. Spread it out evenly. Then, if you’re using pecans, sprinkle them right over the top. It looks so pretty!
Achieving the Ideal Chill for Your Chilled Peach Cream Pie
This is where the magic happens and patience really pays off! Pop that beautiful pie into the refrigerator. You need to let it chill for at least 4 hours. This is super important because it lets everything firm up and set properly. If you try to cut into it too soon, it’ll just be a melty mess, and nobody wants that! Trust me, waiting is worth it. You’ll know it’s ready when the filling is nice and firm to the touch. Honestly, if you can let it chill even longer, like overnight, the flavors really meld together beautifully, making this Chilled Peach Cream Pie for Easter, Christmas even more amazing.
Now that you’ve got this gorgeous Chilled Peach Cream Pie ready, let’s make it look as good as it tastes for your Easter or Christmas feast! The classic topping is, of course, a generous dollop of fluffy whipped cream. It just melts into that cool peach filling so perfectly. But why stop there?
Garnishes and Serving Suggestions for Your Chilled Peach Cream Pie
For an extra touch of elegance, try arranging a few fresh, thinly sliced peaches right on top of the whipped cream. A tiny dusting of cinnamon or even a little bit of peach syrup drizzled over everything adds such a lovely visual and flavor boost. If you’ve got those optional pecans, a little sprinkle around the edge never hurts either! This pie is wonderful on its own, but serving it with a light fruit salad or a refreshing mint sprig really makes it feel like a complete, special holiday dessert.
Got questions about this amazing Chilled Peach Cream Pie for Easter, Christmas? I’ve got answers! It’s one of those recipes that people always ask about, and I’m happy to share all my little secrets to make sure yours turns out perfectly.
Can I Use Frozen Peaches in My Chilled Peach Cream Pie?
Oh, absolutely! Frozen peaches are totally fine to use here, and sometimes they’re even easier to find. The biggest thing is to make sure you thaw them completely first. Just spread them out on a plate or in a bowl and let them sit at room temperature for a bit. Once they’re thawed, give them a gentle drain. We don’t want all that extra water making our lovely cream cheese filling too thin. Just a little bit of moisture is okay, but drain off any excess liquid. It might make the final texture of your Chilled Peach Cream Pie just a tad softer, but it’s still going to be delicious!
How Long Can I Store Leftover Chilled Peach Cream Pie?
This pie is best enjoyed fresh, but leftovers are definitely a thing! You’ll want to keep any remaining Chilled Peach Cream Pie covered tightly in the refrigerator. Because it’s got that creamy filling, it needs to stay chilled. It should stay perfectly fresh and tasty for about 2 to 3 days. Just make sure it’s well-covered so it doesn’t pick up any weird fridge smells. Honestly, though, it usually disappears way before then!
How Do I Ensure My Cream Cheese Filling is Smooth?
This is the key to that luxuriously smooth texture everyone loves! The absolute most important thing is to make sure your cream cheese is *really* softened. I mean, properly softened. Take it out of the fridge at least an hour, maybe even two, before you plan to start mixing. You want it to be soft enough that you can easily press your finger into it without much resistance. It shouldn’t be melty or greasy, just pliable. If it’s still a bit firm, your filling might end up a little lumpy, and nobody wants that! Using room temperature ingredients makes all the difference. For more tips on baking, you can check out King Arthur Baking’s ingredient prep guide.
Just a little heads-up about the nutritional info for this yummy Chilled Peach Cream Pie! Keep in mind that the numbers you see are just estimates, you know? They can totally change depending on the brands of ingredients you use, like the cream cheese or the crust, and even how ripe your peaches are. So, think of these as a general guideline rather than super exact figures. The most important thing is how happy it makes your taste buds during Easter or Christmas!
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Dreamy Chilled Peach Cream Pie: 1 Dreamy Bite
- Total Time: 4 hours 20 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A refreshing and creamy peach pie perfect for holiday celebrations.
Ingredients
- 1 pre-baked 9-inch pie crust
- 2 cups sliced peaches (fresh or frozen, thawed)
- 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 cup chopped pecans (optional)
- Whipped cream for topping
Instructions
- In a large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and sugar until smooth.
- Beat in the milk, vanilla extract, and salt until well combined.
- Gently fold in the sliced peaches.
- Pour the peach mixture into the pre-baked pie crust.
- Sprinkle with chopped pecans, if using.
- Chill the pie for at least 4 hours, or until firm.
- Serve chilled, topped with whipped cream.
Notes
- For a sweeter pie, add more sugar to the cream cheese mixture.
- You can use other fruits like berries or cherries.
- Ensure the cream cheese is fully softened for a smooth filling.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Bake
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 300
- Sugar: 25g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 40mg
Keywords: peach pie, cream pie, no-bake pie, holiday dessert, Easter pie, Christmas pie, chilled peach pie, creamy peach pie