Place the can of cherry pie filling in the refrigerator (unopened).
In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese until smooth and creamy.
Add in the sweetened condensed milk and beat to fully combine.
Stir in the lemon juice and vanilla and mix again JUST until the filling is combined.
Fill the graham cracker crust with the cream cheese mixture, cover with plastic wrap and chill for a minimum of 4 hours, overnight if possible.
Top with the cherry pie filling JUST BEFORE SERVING, cut and serve! Alternatively the cherry pie filling can be spooned over individually cut pieces of the pie.
Store covered in the fridge for a few days, if it lasts that long!
For a firmer texture
Sprinkle the gelatin granules on the lemon juice; do not stir. Allow to sit for 1 minutes.
Add the lemon juice with gelatin to the recipe as described above in STEP 4 and continue with the remaining steps.
Notes
Pro Tips:
Use softened cream cheese.
Use real lemon juice.
After the filling is in the crust, chill a minimum of 4 hours up to overnight (covered).
Refrigerate the can of pie filling for the topping.
Add the topping ONLY just before serving for best result.