Cranberry Cherry Dessert Squares

Cranberry Cherry Dessert Squares are a delicious and festive layered treat that combines the tartness of fresh cranberries with the sweetness of canned cherry pie filling. Layered with flaky pie crust, instant pudding, fruit, and whip, this easy recipe has a ton of shortcuts, making it a great dessert choice for the busy winter holidays.

Cranberry Cherry Dessert Squares are a Thanksgiving and Christmas dessert favorite. With two shades of red that really pop on the plate, these sweet and creamy, super tasty bars are so easy to make and always get raves.

The base is a flaky, buttery pie crust (store bought for convenience), and is the only step in the recipe that bakes in the oven. Once cooled, the crispy crust is topped with instant cheesecake pudding, and a tart and sweet cranberry and cherry glazed topping that really shines under sparkly holiday lights.

Before serving, top individual cranberry squares with Easy Homemade Whipped Cream and add a few Candied Cranberries to the plate for the perfect finishing touch.

So easy, festive, and delicious, this is a sweet treat that you'll get requests for each holiday season--guaranteed.

Jump to:

🥘Ingredients
🔪Instructions
🥣Substitutions
📖Variations
🍽Equipment
🍶Storage
💭Top tip
🗨️FAQ
🥄Related
🍴Pairing
📋Recipe
💬 Comments

🥘Ingredients

refrigerated pie crust- I like Pillsbury, make sure you're using the kind that comes rolled up (usually two in a box)
fresh or frozen cranberries- if using frozen, do not defrost
sugar, cornstarch, cinnamon, water- ingredients for the fruit sauce
cherry pie filling- do not use reduced sugar
instant cheesecake flavored pudding + 2% milk- for a creamy pudding layer; Amazon and Walmart sell this flavor

See recipe card for quantities.

🔪Instructions

Step 1: Roll out the pie crust to make a rectangle; then press it into a prepared 13x9 pan and bake; allow to cool.

Step 2: Combine cranberries, sugar, cornstarch, and cinnamon in a saucepan; add water and bring to a boil; cook until sauce thickens. Remove from heat and add cherry pie filling; chill.

Step 3: Just before assembling, whisk the pudding and milk until thickened; spoon over cooled crust.

Step 4: Spread the chilled fruit mixture over the pudding; allow the dessert to set in the fridge before cutting into squares and topping with whip.

Hint: You'll want to use a nonstick saucepan when you make the cranberry sauce, which gets super sticky as it gels.

🥣Substitutions

Pudding - vanilla instant pudding can be used instead of cheesecake
Milk - I prefer 2%, but any percentage will do; you can also use half and half for an even creamier option

📖Variations

Cran Raspberry Squares - use raspberry pie filling and lemon instant pudding for a fruity twist

See Cranberry Mini Pies for another easy dessert that uses cranberries and instant pudding.

🍽Equipment

rolling pin
13x9 metal pan (well greased or lined with parchment paper)
measuring cups & measuring spoons
medium nonstick saucepan
whisk
medium mixing bowl
spreading spatula

🍶Storage

Store Cranberry Cherry Dessert Squares in an airtight container and keep refrigerated. Best enjoyed within 3 days.

Freezing isn't recommended.

💭Top tip

It's important to make sure the dessert is set before slicing into squares. If you're short on time, pop the assembled dessert in the freezer (covered) for up to 30 minutes to set faster.

🗨️FAQ

What kind of cranberries should I use?

Either fresh or frozen works well in this recipe. If using frozen, do not defrost.

What goes well with cranberry dessert?

Whipped cream and/or ice cream are two of our favorites.

🥄Related

Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:

🍴Pairing

These are some other favorites to serve at Christmas with Cranberry Cherry Dessert Squares:

📋Recipe