Soften the cream cheese. Let it sit at room temperature for 30–45 minutes.
This prevents lumps and helps it whip smoothly.
Beat the base. In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese with powdered sugar, vanilla, lemon juice, and a pinch of salt until creamy and smooth, about 2 minutes.
Fold in the whipped topping. Add the thawed whipped topping and gently fold with a spatula until no streaks remain. Keep it airy; don’t overmix.
Add the mix-ins. Fold in the mini marshmallows and graham cracker crumbs until evenly distributed.
Swirl the cherries. Spoon in the cherry pie filling and fold 2–3 times to create ribbons. For a fully combined look, fold a few more times.
Either way works—choose your style.
Chill. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour (2–4 hours is best). This helps the flavors meld and the texture set.
Garnish and serve. Sprinkle extra graham crumbs on top and add a few spoonfuls of cherry filling for a pretty finish. Scoop into bowls or serve family-style.