No-Bake Cranberry Pie Recipe — Fresh & Simple Holiday Dessert

Easy no-bake cranberry pie made at home with simple ingredients. This creamy dessert features whole cranberry sauce and orange zest folded into a cream cheese filling, finished with whipped cream on a graham cracker crust. It’s a bright, festive treat perfect for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or any holiday table.

When your oven is full of roasts and casseroles, a no-bake dessert is a welcome relief. This pie requires no baking and can be prepared ahead, freeing up oven space and last-minute time. The filling combines tart cranberry flavor with a touch of citrus and a rich cream cheese base for a balanced, crowd-pleasing dessert.

How to Make Cranberry Pie from Scratch

1. Mix cream cheese, granulated sugar, whole cranberry sauce, vanilla extract, and orange zest until smooth.
2. Fold in the whipped topping gently until fully incorporated and creamy.
3. Spread filling into a prepared 9-inch graham cracker crust.
4. Chill for at least 6 hours or overnight until set.
5. Serve topped with whipped cream and garnish with fresh cranberries and extra orange zest.

Cranberry Pie Filling

The filling is simple: full-fat cream cheese whipped with sugar, whole cranberry sauce, a splash of vanilla, and bright orange zest. Optional pink food coloring can be added for a more vivid color. Once combined and smooth, gently fold in an 8-ounce container of whipped topping until the mixture is light and creamy.

Storage

Refrigerate: Store covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Freeze: Freeze in a freezer-safe container for up to 1 month. You can serve it straight from the freezer or thaw it in the fridge before serving. Do not heat.

Variations

Swap the crust: Try a blind-baked flaky butter crust, an Oreo or golden Oreo crust, gingersnap crust, or even a pretzel crust for a salty-sweet contrast.

Apple cranberry: Stir in small diced apples for texture and sweetness.

Add nuts: Mix in or sprinkle chopped pecans, walnuts, almonds, or cashews for crunch.

Other berries: Replace or combine cranberries with raspberries, strawberries, blueberries, cherries, or blackberries.

Frozen cranberry pie: Freeze the finished pie and serve frozen for a convenient make-ahead option.

Flavor swaps: Use lemon or lime zest or try different extracts like almond or orange for a twist.

Mix-ins: Shredded coconut adds chew and texture.

Decoration ideas: Pipe whipped cream, sprinkle shredded white chocolate, coconut, or festive sprinkles, or top with sugared cranberries for a pretty finish.

Tips and Techniques

Use whole cranberry sauce: A jellied sauce will make the filling too soft; whole cranberry sauce provides body and texture.

Homemade cranberry sauce: You can use homemade sauce if it is thick and fully cooled; a runny sauce will prevent the pie from setting.

Cream cheese: Full-fat cream cheese yields the creamiest, richest filling.

Store-bought crust: A pre-made graham cracker crust is a convenient time-saver.

Fresh cranberries: No soaking required if using as a garnish.

When to add topping: Spread the whipped topping just before serving so it stays fresh and fluffy.

Chill time: Chill overnight or at least 6 hours until the filling is firm.

Cool Whip substitute: Homemade whipped cream works, though store-bought whipped topping can help the filling hold together more firmly.

Food coloring: Optional. The filling will naturally be a soft pink-red from the cranberries, and coloring can be used for a brighter hue.

More Pie Recipes

• Chocolate Peanut Butter Pie (No Bake)
• No-Bake Oreo Pie
• Lemon Meringue Pie
• Easy Blueberry Pie
• Easy Cherry Pie
• Easy Peach Pie
• Easy Sweet Potato Pie
• Easy Apple Crumble Pie
• Easy Pumpkin Pie (5 Ingredients)

Recipe

An automated tool calculates the nutritional information; actual values may vary.