This is the best Cranberry Cheesecake Pretzel Dessert recipe ever for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or a holiday party! This recipe features a pretzel crust, a creamy cheesecake layer, and is topped with cranberries. This no-bake, no-fuss, amazingly delicious, cranberry dessert will wow your family and guests!
Preheat the oven to 375°F/190°C. Using 1 tablespoon of butter, grease the bottom of a 13" x 9" baking dish.
1 Tablespoon Salted Butter
Add the butter to a medium-sized microwave safe bowl. Microwave the butter at 30 second increments until it is melted.Add the crushed pretzels and sugar and mix well.
2 Cups Crushed Pretzels, ¾ Cup Salted Butter, 3 Tablespoons White Granulated Sugar
Press the pretzel crust into the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Bake for 10 minutes and cool completely.
Make the Cheesecake Layer:
In a medium bowl, beat together the cream cheese and sugar with a hand mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy. Scrape down the sides of the bowl with a rubber spatula as needed. Then add the vanilla extract and lemon juice and continue to beat until all is mixed well.
8 Ounces Cream Cheese, ¾ Cup White Granulated Sugar
Add the thawed Cool Whip to the cream cheese mixture and gently fold until no streaks of white remain.This cheesecake layer needs to be mixed well to make sure the cranberry layer doesn't leak through it and make your dessert streaky.
Spread the cheesecake mixture evenly over the cooled crust and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
Make the Cranberry Layer:
In a large mixing bowl combine the raspberry Jell-O and boiling water until the Jell-O is completely dissolved. Stir in the whole berry cranberry sauce until it is well combined with the Jell-O.
Refrigerate the cranberry and raspberry Jell-O until cooled and slightly set.
Spoon the cranberry layer over the cheesecake layer.
Refrigerate until firmly set for at least 5 hours or overnight.
Notes
My Top TipsAlthough this is a simple recipe, each layer takes time to set. I prefer to make this very early in the morning or the day before serving.I like to take just a little extra time to even out and smooth every layer to make the most beautiful layers.Substitutions& VariationsSubstitute Strawberry, Cherry, or Cranberry Jell-O. Instead of raspberry Jell-O you can use strawberry, cherry, or cranberry.Substitute Crushed Graham Crackersfor all or part of the pretzels. You won't have that intense sweet and salty flavor, but graham crackers are a good substitution if you don't have pretzels.Add Mandarin Orange Segments and/or Crushed Pineapple. For an extra fruity version add one large can of drained mandarin orange segments and/or one 8-ounce can of drained crushed pineapple.Do not add fresh pineapple. The enzymes in fresh pineapple prevent gelatin from setting.Make-Ahead & StorageThis cranberry pretzel dessert is best when made the day before serving it. This gives the dessert plenty of time to chill and be well set for slicing it.It will keep in the refrigerator for up to a week if covered in cling wrap.