This 4-ingredient oven baked cream cheese dessert is the kind of easy holiday recipe that feels almost too simple to work, but it comes out rich, creamy, and perfect for sharing. It has that classic baked cream cheese dessert vibe with very little prep, which is exactly why it earns a spot on busy Thanksgiving menus when oven space and time are both in short supply. If you need a last-minute sweet dish that looks homey and comforting, this one checks every box.
Serve this warm or chilled with graham crackers, vanilla wafers, or apple slices for scooping, or spoon it into small dessert bowls with a little whipped cream on top. It also fits nicely on a Thanksgiving dessert table alongside pumpkin pie, pecan pie, and coffee, especially when you want something creamy to balance out all the spiced baked desserts.
4-Ingredient Oven Baked Cream Cheese Dessert
Servings: 8
Ingredients
2 blocks cream cheese, unwrapped, 8 ounces each
Directions
1. Preheat your oven to 350°F and lightly grease an 8x8-inch oven-safe glass baking dish.
2. Place the unwrapped cream cheese blocks in the prepared baking dish. Pour the sweetened condensed milk over the cream cheese, then add the eggs.
3. Use a hand mixer right in the dish, or transfer everything to a mixing bowl, and blend until mostly smooth. Spread the mixture evenly in the dish.
4. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until the center is just set and the top looks lightly puffed.
5. Let the dessert cool for about 20 minutes, then spoon the cherry pie filling over the top in an even layer. Serve slightly warm, or chill until fully set if you prefer a firmer texture.
Variations & Tips
Blueberry version: Swap the cherry pie filling for blueberry pie filling if you want a slightly deeper, jammy flavor that pairs really well with the creamy base.
Make-ahead tip: This dessert can be baked a day in advance and chilled overnight, which makes holiday prep a lot easier. Add the fruit topping before serving for the freshest look.
Smoother texture: If your cream cheese is very cold, cut it into chunks before mixing so it blends more easily and bakes up with a silkier texture.
Serving idea: For a more festive dessert table presentation, serve each portion with a small dollop of whipped cream or a sprinkle of crushed graham crackers for a little contrast.
