If you’re craving a dessert that’s as fun as it is refreshing, this Cherry Kool-Aid Pie Recipe is going to be your new summer obsession. Imagine a smooth, creamy pie with that unmistakable cherry punch—made without ever turning on the oven. Let me show you how to whip this up in no time!

A slice of pink mousse pie is shown on a silver pie server held by a woman's hand, revealing three layers: a light brown crumbly crust at the bottom, a thick smooth and fluffy light pink mousse middle layer, and a small swirl of white whipped cream on top with a bright red maraschino cherry. The rest of the pie in a silver foil pie dish has the same layers and is decorated with evenly spaced whipped cream swirls each topped with a maraschino cherry. The scene is set on a white marbled surface with a white bowl of cherries and a glass of red drink blurred in the background. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Cherry Kool-Aid Pie Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Cherry Kool-Aid Pie Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Cherry Kool-Aid Pie Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I seriously can’t get enough of this pie during hot summer afternoons. It’s sweet, tangy, and creamy all at once, and the best part? No baking required. Perfect for when you want a dessert that’s both fuss-free and flavorful.

Super Simple: Just mix, chill, and serve—no oven or complicated steps needed.
Bright Cherry Flavor: The black cherry Kool-Aid gives it such a nostalgic yet fresh twist.
Light and Creamy Texture: Thanks to cream cheese and Cool Whip, it’s rich but never heavy.
Pretty Presentation: The maraschino cherry garnish on each slice makes it look like a treat from a diner.

Ingredients & Why They Work

Shopping for this pie is a breeze, and each ingredient plays a key role in the flavor and texture. I picked these ingredients with ease and reliability in mind—everything is easy to find and comes together beautifully.

Flat lay of a whole pre-made graham cracker crust on a simple white ceramic plate, a softened block of cream cheese on a white ceramic dish, a small white bowl filled with thick sweetened condensed milk, a small white bowl containing vibrant dark red black cherry Kool-Aid powder, a small white bowl of fluffy thawed Cool Whip, and eight glossy maraschino cherries with stems arranged neatly beside the bowls, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Pre-made graham cracker crust: Using a ready crust saves time and adds that classic buttery crunch without any fuss.
Cream cheese: Softened for smooth mixing, it adds lovely tanginess and creamy body.
Sweetened condensed milk: This brings sweetness and a luscious silky texture that holds the pie’s shape.
Unsweetened black cherry Kool-Aid mix: The star flavor that makes this pie uniquely cherry and lively.
Cool Whip: Adds lightness and volume for that fluffy, cloud-like filling and garnish.
Maraschino cherries with stems: The charming final touch for garnish that ties it all together visually and flavor-wise.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

The beauty of this Cherry Kool-Aid Pie Recipe is how easily you can make it your own! Whether you want to try new flavors or tailor it to your dietary needs, this no-bake dessert is a perfect base for creativity.

Variation: I once swapped the black cherry Kool-Aid mix with grape flavor for a vibrant twist. It gave the pie a fun, fruity punch that my family loved just as much as the original.
Diet-friendly swap: For a lighter version, try using a reduced-fat cream cheese and a sugar-free Kool-Aid mix. The pie still tastes indulgent but with fewer calories.
Seasonal flair: During summer barbecues, I like adding fresh berries on top alongside the maraschino cherries for a colorful, festive look.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Cherry Kool-Aid Pie Recipe

A slice of light pink mousse pie with a crumbly light brown crust sits on a white plate. It has two dollops of white whipped cream stacked on top, crowned by a bright red cherry with its stem curving upward. In the background, there is a small white bowl filled with cherries and two clear glasses containing a red drink, all set on a white marbled surface. The mousse texture looks smooth and airy with small bubbles visible on the sides. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Beat the Cream Cheese Until Silky Smooth

Start with 8 ounces of softened cream cheese in a medium bowl. Using a handheld mixer on medium-high speed, beat it for about 1 minute. You’re aiming for a creamy, lump-free texture that will make your filling wonderfully smooth and light.

Step 2: Blend in the Sweetened Condensed Milk

Pour in the entire 14-ounce container of sweetened condensed milk. Keep mixing on medium-high speed for another minute. Watch as the mixture becomes luxuriously thick and glossy, the sweetness perfectly balanced by the tang of the cream cheese.

Step 3: Add the Black Cherry Kool-Aid Magic

Sprinkle the 0.13-ounce packet of unsweetened black cherry Kool-Aid mix into your creamy base. Mix gently but thoroughly until you achieve an even, vibrant cherry-red color – this is where the magic and nostalgia come to life!

Step 4: Fold in the Cool Whip for Lightness

Now, add the entire 8-ounce container of thawed Cool Whip. Use your mixer on low speed to gently incorporate it until the filling is smooth and fluffy. This makes the pie wonderfully airy and light, perfect for hot summer days.

Step 5: Fill the Crust and Chill

Spoon the filling evenly into your 6-ounce pre-made graham cracker crust. Smooth out the top with a spatula, cover it tightly, and pop it into the refrigerator. Chill for at least 4 hours to let the pie set properly and gain that perfect sliceable texture.

Step 6: Slice, Garnish, and Serve

After chilling, slice the pie into 8 equal pieces. Using a decorator’s bag or a ziplock with a corner snipped, pipe swirls of the extra Cool Whip around each slice’s edge. Top each swirl with a maraschino cherry with stem for that classic Cherry Kool-Aid Pie finish. Keep the pie chilled until you’re ready to serve for the freshest taste and ideal texture.

Top Tip

Mastering the Cherry Kool-Aid Pie Recipe is all about a few simple tricks that help your pie turn out smooth, flavorful, and picture-perfect every time.

Cream Cheese Softening: Make sure your cream cheese is fully softened at room temperature before beating—it makes mixing so much easier and results in a silky filling.
Mixing Kool-Aid Evenly: Sprinkle the Kool-Aid powder gradually while mixing to avoid clumps and ensure that gorgeous uniform color we all love.
Chill Time Patience: Don’t rush the chilling step—giving it a full 4 hours lets the pie set perfectly with the ideal creamy, sliceable texture.
Garnish Care: When piping extra Cool Whip on each slice, use steady pressure and a light hand for pretty swirls, and always add those maraschino cherries last to keep them looking fresh and juicy.

How to Serve Cherry Kool-Aid Pie Recipe

The image shows four steps of making a pink pie on a white marbled surface. In the first step on the top left, a glass bowl holds smooth, thick, bright pink whipped filling with a black hand mixer blending it, a pink Kool-Aid packet lies beside it. The second step on the top right shows the filling turned into a lighter, fluffier pink mix being whipped with the same black hand mixer in the glass bowl, with a few small white bowls and a pie crust close by. In the third step at the bottom left, the light pink filling is spread evenly as a thick layer inside a golden brown graham cracker crust in a round silver foil pie pan. The fourth step on the bottom right features the pie with the pink filling topped with eight small dollops of white whipped cream arranged in a circle on top. A small white bowl filled with bright red cherries and a white plate with silver forks are near the pie, alongside two pink Kool-Aid packets. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Garnishes

The classic finishing touch is a swirl of Cool Whip topped with a maraschino cherry on each slice, but you can also get creative! Try adding fresh black cherries or sliced strawberries to echo the cherry flavor, or a sprinkle of finely chopped nuts for a delightful crunch. A light dusting of red sanding sugar on the Cool Whip adds a subtle sparkle that’s perfect for summer parties.

Side Dishes

This no-bake cherry pie is a star all on its own, but if you’re serving a bigger spread, it pairs beautifully with light, refreshing sides like a crisp green salad with citrus vinaigrette or fresh fruit salad. For a backyard BBQ, consider serving it alongside grilled chicken or tender ribs to round out your meal with a cool, sweet finish.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store any leftover slices covered tightly in the refrigerator, where they’ll keep wonderfully fresh for up to 4 days. Using the plastic cover from your graham cracker crust makes an easy lid—just be sure to remove the paper center first.

Freezing

If you want to save your Cherry Kool-Aid Pie Recipe for later, freeze it without the Cool Whip and cherry garnish for up to 1 month. Wrap the pie tightly in aluminum foil for protection—especially if you’re using the plastic crust cover—and thaw it overnight in the refrigerator before serving. This way, your pie stays delicious and maintains that classic no-bake texture.

Reheating

This is a no-bake pie best served cold, so no reheating is necessary. After thawing, simply garnish with fresh Cool Whip and cherries, and it’s ready to enjoy!

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use a homemade graham cracker crust instead of store-bought?

Absolutely! A homemade graham cracker crust works perfectly and can add a lovely personal touch, just be sure it's fully cooled before adding the filling.

Can I substitute another flavor of Kool-Aid in this recipe?

Yes! Feel free to experiment with your favorite Kool-Aid flavor. Just remember to garnish with matching fruit or extras for the best effect.

What if the pie filling seems too thick or too thin?

If it's too thick, gently fold in a little more Cool Whip to lighten it. If it's too thin, chilling longer helps it set properly, or add a bit more cream cheese next time for firmness.

How do I make sure the pie slices cleanly?

Use a sharp knife dipped in hot water and wiped dry between cuts. Chilling the pie well for the full 4 hours also helps the filling firm up for neat slices.

Final Thoughts

Nothing says summer quite like this Cherry Kool-Aid Pie Recipe — it’s sweet, tangy, easy, and utterly refreshing. Whether you’re making it for a family gathering, a picnic, or just a little weekend treat, it’s always a crowd-pleaser. I hope these tips and tricks inspire you to make it your own and bring a little extra joy to your table this season. Happy no-bake baking!