Yummy, Cool Summer Time Dessert!

For Mother's Day, I made my mom a delicious, family favorite dessert. It was a surprise that brought back many wonderful memories... One summer, when I was in high school and was still living at home, my mom found this recipe for a Chocolate Cherry Torte in a Taste of Home magazine and we made it all summer long. It was delicious, to say in the least, and was nice and cool for a summer time dessert! Also, it's SUPER EASY!! So make this at your next family gathering and take all the credit for making a homemade dessert:)

 It was a BIG hit with my family and everyone had a piece and left an empty pan! Even those on "diets" and "watching their calories" ate a piece with no regret!! It was that good!

I had to alter the original recipe due to a few things not being available at the store (like pkg whipped topping...).

• About 1 1/2 pkgs of Hill Country Fare (HEB) chocolate-covered graham cracker cookies, (about 1+ pound), crushed
  
• 3/4 cup butter, melted
• 12 ounces lite whipped topping, thawed
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 package (8 ounces) low fat cream cheese, softened
• 2 cans (21 ounces each) cherry pie filling

Directions

• Set aside 1/3 cup crushed cookies for topping. In a large bowl, combine remaining cookies and butter; spread into a 13-in. x 9-in. dish. Set aside.
• In a large bowl, combine the whipped topping and vanilla; beat on low speed until blended (or by hand). Add cream cheese; beat until smooth.
• Spread over crust; top with pie filling. Sprinkle with reserved cookies. Cover and refrigerate for 12-24 hours before serving. Yield: 12-16 servings.