Layered Cranberry Dessert

Name: Layered Cranberry Dessert
Prep time: 25 min
Total time: 25 min
Yield: 12 servings.
Ingredients: 2 packages (3 ounces each) cranberry gelatin; 1-1/2 cups boiling water; 1 can (14 ounces) whole-berry cranberry sauce; 1-1/2 cups cold water; 1-1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs; 1/2 cup sugar, divided; 1/2 cup butter, melted; 1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened; 1 carton (16 ounces) frozen whipped topping, thawed, divided; 1 can (15 ounces) mandarin oranges, drained

On occasion, I like to “fancy up” one of my favorite gelatin desserts with a buttery graham cracker crust and a layer of cream cheese filling. Mandarin oranges add color and pair well with the cranberry gelatin. —Margery Bryan, Moses Lake, Washington

Ingredients

2 packages (3 ounces each) cranberry gelatin
1-1/2 cups boiling water
1 can (14 ounces) whole-berry cranberry sauce
1-1/2 cups cold water
1-1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
1/2 cup sugar, divided
1/2 cup butter, melted
1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
1 carton (16 ounces) frozen whipped topping, thawed, divided
1 can (15 ounces) mandarin oranges, drained

Directions

In a large bowl, dissolve gelatin in boiling water. Stir in cranberry sauce and cold water until blended. Refrigerate for 45 minutes or until partially set.
Meanwhile, in a small bowl, combine the cracker crumbs, 1/4 cup sugar and butter. Press into an ungreased 13-in. x 9-in. dish. Refrigerate until set.
In a large bowl, beat cream cheese and remaining sugar until smooth. Fold in half of the whipped topping. Spread filling over crust.
Fold oranges into gelatin mixture; spoon over cream cheese layer. Refrigerate for 4 hours or until firm. Cut into squares; dollop with remaining whipped topping.

Nutrition Facts

1 piece: 416 calories, 22g fat (15g saturated fat), 41mg cholesterol, 223mg sodium, 51g carbohydrate (35g sugars, 1g fiber), 3g protein.

Originally published as Cranberry Cream Cheese Dessert in Taste of Home December/January 2006

Reviews

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Average Rating:

alfoa

Dec 27, 2016

Next time I will try this with non-whole cranberry sauce (the regular jelled kind), because the skins from the cranberries are kind of odd when you bite into one. Cranberry jello can be hard to find, but the Kraft website has a product locator--my local Walmart carried it. The crust gets gummy/sticky over time, but the taste is great and is liked by many people.
Neirad48

Dec 26, 2014

Delicious!
Tasteforsue

Dec 25, 2014

Yum!
Vicki Estes

Nov 10, 2013

After Thanksgiving Dad found the leftovers in the fridge and said "who made this it's delicious" and ate up all the leftovers. We will make it for him again this year!
tnapple

May 27, 2012

awsome
robinflynt

Nov 20, 2010

The BEST cranberry recipe ever! People who have never tried cranberries should try this - it will be loved!
pinkirishlace

Nov 30, 2008

This dessert/jello salad was outstanding! Very simple to prepare and looked so pretty when served. I will be preparing this often!
linsvin

Nov 26, 2008

Took longer than 45 minutes to set up, almost double. Carefully spoon over cream cheese mixture.
Monarchsmomma

Nov 23, 2008

I could not find cranberry gelatin so I used cherry. I may use more of the cranberry sauce next time. Great recipe! Thanks!
muffiebee1

Nov 18, 2008

Could you make this with jellied cranberry sauce for someone that can't eat the whole cranberry sauce because of the seeds?Muffie