Cherry Parfait Ice Cream Pie**

This frozen pie layers softened vanilla ice cream and canned cherry pie filling in a cookie crumb crust for a make-ahead dessert that looks like a bakery creation. No oven needed, just a freezer and a little patience.

The layering creates a parfait effect when sliced. A base of ice cream, a stripe of ruby-red cherry filling, more ice cream on top, and a final crown of cherries right before serving. Each slice shows off those distinct, colorful layers.

Softening the ice cream just enough to spread is the key skill here. Too hard and it tears the crust apart. Too soft and it melts into the cherry filling and the layers blur together.

Pro Tips

• Stir the ice cream in a bowl until spreadable but not liquid. It should hold its shape on a spoon.
• Freeze for 45 minutes between the first ice cream layer and the cherry filling. This partial freeze keeps the layers from mixing.
• Freeze at least 3 hours after the final layer before slicing. Longer is better for clean cuts.
• Dip your knife in hot water between slices for the cleanest, most defined layers.

Variations

• Blueberry version: Swap cherry pie filling for blueberry pie filling and use a graham cracker crust.
• Chocolate cherry: Use chocolate ice cream instead of vanilla for a Black Forest-inspired pie.
• Brownie crust: Press crumbled brownie pieces into the bottom of the pan instead of cookie crumbs for a fudgy base.