Description
Creamy cranberry mousse pie delivers winter holiday magic with silky layers of tart berries and smooth cream. Festive dessert promises rich flavors that dance across palates, inviting celebration in each delightful bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 cups fresh or frozen cranberries
- 1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
Sweeteners and Sugars:
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
Crust and Additional Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Optional Garnish:
- Fresh cranberries
- Cranberry sauce
- Whipped cream
Instructions
- Craft a graham cracker crust by pulverizing crackers with sugar and blending with melted butter. Firmly press the mixture into a pie dish, creating an even layer across bottom and sides. Bake at 350°F for 8-10 minutes until edges transform to a delicate golden hue, then cool completely.
- Develop a vibrant cranberry reduction by simmering whole cranberries with sugar and water. Allow berries to burst and liquid to condense, creating a rich, glossy sauce. Remove from heat and permit mixture to reach room temperature.
- Whip cream cheese until silky and smooth, gradually incorporating the cooled cranberry reduction. Separately, whip heavy cream with powdered sugar until achieving stiff, billowy peaks. Delicately fold whipped cream into cranberry cream cheese mixture, maintaining a light, airy texture.
- Transfer the luxurious cranberry mousse into the prepared graham cracker crust, smoothing the surface with a spatula to ensure an elegant, even distribution.
- Refrigerate the pie for a minimum of 4 hours, allowing the mousse to solidify and develop complex flavor profiles. Optimal results occur with overnight chilling.
- Prior to serving, enhance presentation with optional garnishes such as fresh cranberries, additional cranberry sauce, or a graceful dollop of whipped cream.
Notes
- Swap graham crackers with gluten-free alternatives like almond or coconut flour cookies for celiac or gluten-sensitive diets.
- Reduce sugar content by using stevia or monk fruit sweetener to create a lower-calorie dessert option.
- Experiment with different berry combinations like mixed berries or raspberries for unique flavor variations.
- Freeze individual portions for quick, delightful make-ahead desserts that can be stored up to two weeks.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 360
- Sugar: 22 g
- Sodium: 220 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 14 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 37 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg