Christmas Cranberry Cream Dessert Squares

Ingredients (Serves 6–8)

Base layer:

• 150 g crushed biscuits (digestive or graham)
• 70 g melted butter

Cream layer:

• 300 g cream cheese (softened)
• 200 ml heavy cream
• 80 g powdered sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Cranberry layer:

• 200 g cranberries (fresh or frozen)
• 80 g sugar
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 6 g gelatin

Topping:

• Whipped cream
• Fresh cranberries
• Powdered sugar (for dusting)
• Rosemary or mint (for decoration)

Instructions

1. Make the base

• Mix crushed biscuits with melted butter
• Press firmly into a lined square pan
• Chill in fridge for 20–30 minutes

2. Prepare cranberry layer

• Cook cranberries, sugar, and lemon juice until soft
• Blend slightly (optional for smoother texture)
• Bloom gelatin in water
• Add into warm cranberry mixture
• Let cool (not set completely)

3. Make cream layer

• Beat cream cheese with powdered sugar and vanilla
• Whip heavy cream to soft peaks
• Fold into cream cheese mixture

4. Assemble layers

• Spread cream layer over chilled base
• Pour cranberry mixture on top
• Chill for 4–6 hours until fully set

5. Cut & decorate

• Cut into neat squares
• Pipe whipped cream on top
• Add cranberries + herbs
• Dust with powdered sugar for “snow effect”

Tips for Clean Layers

• Chill between steps for sharp layers
• Don’t pour hot cranberry over cream (will melt it)
• Use a hot knife to cut clean squares
• Adjust sugar depending on cranberry tartness

Flavor Profile

• Creamy, rich cheesecake-like base
• Bright, tangy cranberry top
• Light, festive sweetness