Cranberry Supreme
A vibrant cranberry dessert with a creamy cream cheese layer and crunchy graham cracker crust, perfect for holiday gatherings or any festive occasion.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Combine graham cracker crumbs and melted margarine; press onto the bottom of an 8-inch pan to form the crust.
- Combine cranberries, sugar, and water in a saucepan. Bring to a boil and simmer for 20 minutes, until cranberries pop.
- Stir in chopped nuts and orange marmalade into the cranberry mixture. Chill until ready to use.
- In a mixing bowl, beat softened cream cheese, confectioners' sugar, milk, and vanilla until well blended.
- Fold in whipped cream or Cool Whip until smooth.
- Spread the cream cheese mixture over the prepared crust.
- Spoon the chilled cranberry mixture over the cream cheese layer.
- Chill the assembled dessert overnight before serving.
Tips & Substitutions
For a smoother cream cheese mixture, ensure the cream cheese is at room temperature before beating. If you prefer a sweeter or tangier cranberry layer, adjust the sugar or add a splash of lemon juice. If you don't have orange marmalade, apricot preserves can serve as a great substitute. You can also use graham cracker crumbs made from gluten-free crackers for a gluten-free version.
Serving Suggestions
This Cranberry Supreme is perfect for holiday gatherings and pairs beautifully with a dollop of whipped cream on top. Consider serving it alongside a warm beverage or a light fruit salad to balance the richness. For a fun twist, serve with slices of Grama Squares for a delightful dessert spread.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The dessert can be made a day in advance and stored overnight for flavors to meld. Avoid freezing as the texture of the cream cheese layer may change when thawed. Serve chilled for the best flavor.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Cranberry Supreme contains roughly 409 calories, with 3g protein, 60g carbohydrates, and 18g fat. It is a good source of vitamin C (13% of the Daily Value) and dietary fiber (11% of the Daily Value). It also contributes 3g of dietary fiber toward your daily target.
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I make this recipe dairy-free?
To make this Cranberry Supreme dairy-free, substitute the cream cheese with a dairy-free cream cheese alternative, and use a non-dairy milk, such as almond or soy milk, in the mixture. These swaps will keep the dessert creamy and delicious without using any dairy products.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).