A Little Something Sweet from Momma
Family Recipes, New Beginnings and the Joy of Gathering
November has a way of reminding us what matters most. As the holidays approach, I find myself thinking less about what’s on the table and more about who’s gathered around it.
If you’ve followed along with my stories, you’ve probably heard me talk about my Mamaw. She was the cook in our family. Her kitchen was the heart of everything, and she had a way of making even the simplest meal feel special. Some of my favorite childhood memories were made around her table, and so much of what I believe about food, family, and hospitality began right there.
But while Mamaw was our family cook, Momma had a specialty of her own: Cherry Yum Yum.
Oh, how I love that dessert!
It’s not complicated or fancy. It’s a good old-fashioned Southern dessert with a buttery graham cracker crust, a fluffy cream cheese filling, and a beautiful layer of sweet cherries. The kind of dessert that disappears at a family gathering and has everyone asking for just one more little piece. And this year, that recipe feels even sweeter.
Momma has recently made the move to Franklin, and we couldn’t be happier to have her close by. There’s something wonderful about having more opportunities for everyday moments together. Not just holidays and special occasions, but an ordinary afternoon, a quick visit, or simply sitting around the table catching up.
As our families grow and life changes, I’ve come to appreciate those little moments more than ever.
This Thanksgiving, whether you’re hosting a houseful of family, celebrating Friendsgiving with neighbors, or taking a dish to someone else’s table, I hope you’ll remember that the most meaningful things we share aren’t always wrapped in pretty packages. Sometimes they’re served in a dish... And sometimes they’re called Cherry Yum Yum.
See you around the table,
Stef
Momma's Cherry Yum Yum
Ingredients
2 (8-ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
½ cup powdered sugar
1 package Dream Whip whipped
topping mix (3.4 ounces), unprepared
1 cup cold milk
1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste
For the cherry topping
2 (21-ounce) cans cherry pie filling
For the finishing touch
1 additional package Dream Whip,
prepared according to package directions
Extra graham cracker crumbs
For the Crust
2 cups graham cracker crumbs
½ cup melted unsalted butter
¼ cup granulated sugar
For the cream cheese layer
Method
Combine graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, and sugar. Press into a 9-by-13-inch dish and chill.
Beat softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla bean paste until smooth. Prepare one package of Dream Whip with 1 cup cold milk according to package directions, then gently fold into the cream cheese mixture. Spread over the crust.
Spoon cherry pie filling evenly over the cream cheese layer.
Prepare the remaining Dream Whip according to package directions. Spoon or pipe over the cherries and sprinkle with graham cracker crumbs.
Refrigerate for at least four hours, preferably overnight.
Stef's Hack:
This is the perfect dessert to make the night before Thanksgiving or Friendsgiving. One less thing to worry about on the big day!
