When it’s hot outside and you want a dessert that’s light, tasty, and super easy, my Cherry Kool-Aid Pie Recipe is just the thing to make. This no-bake pie whips up quickly and chills into a creamy, fruity delight that’s perfect for sharing—or keeping all to yourself!

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 honestly can’t get enough of how simple and refreshing this pie is. It’s one of those desserts that feels nostalgic but is totally modern with a fun twist. Grab a few ingredients, and you’ve got a show-stopping summer treat in no time.

Quick and No-Bake: You’ll have a delicious pie done in about 10 minutes, then just wait for it to chill.
Fun Cherry Flavor: The black cherry Kool-Aid mix gives this pie a bright, fruity punch that’s pretty unique and totally addicting.
Simple Ingredients: Everything you need is easy to find and probably already sitting in your pantry or fridge.
Beautiful Presentation: Topped with Cool Whip swirls and maraschino cherries, it looks just as good as it tastes!

Ingredients & Why They Work

Before you dive in, here’s a quick look at the ingredients and why each plays a special role in making this Cherry Kool-Aid pie so memorable. I always recommend using a good-quality cream cheese for that perfect smoothness and a pre-made graham cracker crust to save time and hassle.

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: This is your easy base—crispy, buttery, and ready to go, so no baking needed.
Cream cheese: Softened cream cheese creates a luxuriously creamy texture that balances the sweet and tart flavors.
Sweetened condensed milk: Adds sweetness and richness that makes the filling dreamy and velvety.
Unsweetened black cherry Kool-Aid mix: This is the magic ingredient that gives the pie its signature cherry zing and vibrant color.
Cool Whip (thawed): Lightens and smooths the filling, plus adds that classic fluffy finish.
Additional Cool Whip (for garnish): Optional, but piping extra swirls on each slice makes for a fun, pretty presentation.
Maraschino cherries with stems: The cherry on top—literally! They bring a juicy burst and a pop of color to each slice.

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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 it can be customized to suit your personal taste or occasion. Whether you love a burst of extra fruitiness or want to try a different Kool-Aid flavor, there’s room to make this pie truly yours.

Variation: Try swapping the black cherry Kool-Aid with your favorite flavor—like grape, lemon-lime, or even tropical punch—for a completely different twist. I once made the grape version for a backyard BBQ, and the vibrant purple pie was a huge hit with the kids!
Dietary Twist: For a lighter version, you can substitute the regular Cool Whip with a lower-fat or sugar-free alternative. Just keep in mind the texture might be a little different but still deliciously refreshing.
Seasonal Flair: Garnish with fresh seasonal fruits that complement your Kool-Aid flavor—strawberries with cherry, pineapple slices with tropical punch—adding a colorful, fresh touch that’s perfect for summer gatherings.

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: Smooth and Creamy Cream Cheese Base

Start with 8 ounces of softened cream cheese in a medium-sized mixing bowl. Using a handheld mixer on medium-high speed, beat it for about 1 minute until it’s completely smooth and creamy. This step is crucial to avoid any lumps and gives you that silky base for the pie filling—trust me, the texture makes all the difference!

Step 2: Sweeten Things Up

Next, add the entire 14-ounce container of sweetened condensed milk to your whipped cream cheese. Mix again for another minute until everything is totally combined and silky smooth. At this point, the mixture starts to feel indulgently creamy and ready for that signature Kool-Aid zing.

Step 3: Add the Cherry Punch

Sprinkle in the 0.13-ounce packet of unsweetened black cherry Kool-Aid powder. Mix on a low speed just until the color is evenly distributed and the cherry flavor is fully blended through the filling. This is what gives the pie its signature refreshing, fruity pop!

Step 4: Fold in the Fluffy Cool Whip

Now, gently add the thawed 8-ounce container of Cool Whip. Mix on low so you don’t deflate its fluffy texture. The filling should be smooth, light, and perfectly airy—ready to spoon into your graham cracker crust.

Step 5: Assemble and Chill

Spoon the filling evenly into the 6-ounce pre-made graham cracker crust. Smooth the top with a spatula, cover your pie, and pop it into the refrigerator for at least 4 hours to chill and set properly. Patience here means a perfectly firm, sliceable pie!

Step 6: Garnish for the Win

Once chilled, slice the pie into 8 equal pieces. Use a decorator’s bag or a quart-size Ziploc bag with the corner snipped off to pipe 1 cup of extra Cool Whip in pretty swirls along each slice’s edge. Top each swirl with a maraschino cherry with a stem for that classic finishing touch. Keep the pie refrigerated until serving to maintain its fresh, creamy texture.

Top Tip

These tips come straight from making the Cherry Kool-Aid Pie Recipe a handful of times — they’re here to make sure your pie turns out perfectly every time and your experience is smooth and fun.

Mixing the Filling: Beat the cream cheese well before adding other ingredients to ensure a silky smooth base without lumps.
Chilling Time: Don't rush the chilling — those 4 hours in the fridge really allow the flavors to marry and the texture to set perfectly.
Choosing Kool-Aid Flavor: Feel free to substitute any Kool-Aid flavor to customize your pie—just match the garnish accordingly for the best presentation.
Storing Safely: If freezing, leave off the Cool Whip and cherries until you’re ready to serve to keep their textures fresh and light.

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 touches are extra Cool Whip swirled along each slice’s edge and topped with a bright maraschino cherry with a stem. For a fun twist, try adding a sprinkle of crushed graham crackers or a few fresh berries on the side to complement the cherry flavor.

Side Dishes

Because this pie is a sweet and light treat, it pairs beautifully with fresh fruit salads, a scoop of vanilla ice cream, or a scoop of lemon sorbet to add a zingy contrast. It also works well alongside simple iced tea or sparkling lemonade for a refreshing summer dessert spread.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once served, cover your Cherry Kool-Aid Pie tightly and store it in the refrigerator. It will stay fresh and delicious for up to 4 days. This way, you can enjoy a slice whenever a sweet craving hits without missing out on that creamy, cherry flavor.

Freezing

You can freeze the pie for up to 1 month, but make sure to remove the Cool Whip garnish and cherries before freezing. Wrap the pie tightly in aluminum foil, and if you’re using the plastic lid from the graham cracker crust, cover it first then wrap with foil for extra protection. Thaw it overnight in the refrigerator before serving.

Reheating

This delicious Cherry Kool-Aid Pie is best enjoyed cold, so no reheating is needed. Simply keep it chilled until you’re ready to serve to maintain its refreshing, creamy texture.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use a different Kool-Aid flavor instead of black cherry?

Absolutely! You can swap the black cherry Kool-Aid powder for any flavor you like. Just remember to match your garnish with the flavor for a fun and cohesive look.

Do I need to bake this pie?

No baking needed here. This is a no-bake pie that sets up beautifully in the refrigerator in about 4 hours.

How long can I store the leftover pie in the fridge?

You can store leftover pie covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days, keeping it fresh and tasty.

Can I freeze the pie with its toppings?

To preserve texture, it’s best to freeze the pie without the Cool Whip and cherries. Add them fresh after thawing before serving.

Final Thoughts

Making this Cherry Kool-Aid Pie Recipe is like a little summer celebration in every bite. It’s easy, colorful, and irresistibly creamy—a perfect dessert to share with family and friends on warm days. I hope you find as much joy in preparing and enjoying it as I do. Here’s to sweet moments and delicious memories!