This easy cranberry cream pie is a delicious shortcut recipe that’s perfect for the busy holiday season.

You’ll love how simple it is to make a no-bake cranberry pie for the holidays, using just a few basic ingredients! It’s a fluffy, creamy, dreamy dessert that disappears fast.

two slices of no bake cranberry pie on white plates, with the remaining pie in the background.

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When the fall and winter holidays roll around, I become a bit of a cranberry fanatic. There’s just something I love about the combination of sweet and tart in all sorts of baked goods.

And while I’m always a sucker for cranberry streusel pie or Nantucket cranberry pie, there are times when I need a cool and creamy pie I can make without taking up valuable oven space during my holiday prep.

That’s where this no bake cranberry pie comes in. A few simple ingredients combine to create a delicious cranberry fluff filling, which is spread into a store-bought pie crust (I’m all about saving time where I can!).

It makes a lovely and delicious addition to your Thanksgiving or Christmas dessert table, and you can make it ahead of time to take some stress off your plate.

More No-Bake Holiday Pie Recipes:

a slice of no-bake cranberry cream pie on a white plate. A fork has cut a bite out of the pie and is resting next to it.

Easy Holiday Cranberry Pie

To make this cranberry fluff pie super easy, I’m using leftover homemade cranberry sauce.

In my opinion, it gives the best flavor for this pie, and it’s super easy to make.

However, if you’re in a pinch and don’t have homemade cranberry sauce on hand, you can use a can of whole berry cranberry sauce (not the jellied kind), or preferably a jar of cranberry sauce from Stonewall Kitchen.

When combined with Cool Whip, cream cheese, powdered sugar, and a tiny bit of almond extract, the filling is just so good! The perfect combo of tart and sweet, with a lovely pink hue.

It’s as simple as it is delicious, which is why it’s a winner for the holiday season!

For more easy desserts, check out my list of no-bake Christmas pie recipes.

More Delicious Cranberry Recipes:

overhead view of a slice of cranberry sauce pie on a white plate, with the remainder of the whole pie in the background, along with two forks.

How to Make Cranberry No-Bake Pie

It’s really easy to make this holiday dessert.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Cream cheese
Powdered sugar
Cranberry sauce
Almond extract
Whipped topping
Graham cracker crust

How to Make It:

Find the full printable recipe available below

Beat cream cheese and sugar. First, you’ll use an electric mixer to beat together the cream cheese and powdered sugar until smooth.

two photos; one shows a block of cream cheese and powdered sugar in a mixing bowl; the other shows the ingredients beaten together.

Add cranberry sauce. Then, you’ll add the cranberry sauce, mixing well to incorporate.

two photos; one shows whole berry cranberry sauce added to the cream cheese mixture; the other shows the ingredients beaten together.

Add Cool Whip. Then, you’ll add the thawed whipped topping, folding it in gently by hand until no streaks remain.

two photos; one shows Cool Whip added to cranberry mixture; the other shows the ingredients folded together.

Fill crust and chill. Then, you’ll spread the filling evenly into a graham cracker crust. Cover the pie and chill in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours, or overnight.

When you’re ready to serve, you can simply slice and top with a dollop of whipped cream, if you’d like!

overhead view of a whole cranberry cream pie, with a few fresh cranberries scattered around it.

Notes and Adaptations:

If desired, you can add the zest of an orange to the filling to make this a cranberry orange cream pie.
I use a store-bought graham cracker crust to save time, but feel free to make your own crust if you’d like.
If desired, garnish with whipped cream and sugared cranberries.
Leftover pie should be covered and refrigerated for up to 3-4 days. You can also freeze leftover pie and eat it frozen (like an ice cream pie) or let it thaw before eating.

side view of a slice of no-bake cranberry Cool Whip pie on a white plate, garnished with whipped cream and a sugared cranberry. The remainder of the whole pie and another slice are in the background.

Recommended Equipment:

Stand mixer or electric hand mixer

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No Bake Cranberry Pie

Author: Chrysti Benner

Serves: Servings

Prep Time 7

Chill Time 4

This creamy, fluffy cranberry pie is as easy as it is delicious! It's a simple but flavorful no-bake dessert that's perfect for the holidays.

Ingredients

▢ 8 ounces cream cheese (softened)
▢ 1/3 cup powdered sugar
▢ 1 1/2 cups cranberry sauce (whole berry variety; see notes below)
▢ 1/4 teaspoon almond extract
▢ 8 ounces whipped topping (such as Cool Whip; thawed)
▢ 6 ounce graham cracker crust (9-inch size)

Instructions

In a medium or large mixing bowl, combine cream cheese and powdered sugar. Use an electric mixer to beat together until smooth.
Add cranberry sauce to the cream cheese mixture, mixing on low speed until incorporated well.
Add in the almond extract and mix to combine.
Using a rubber spatula or large spoon, gently fold the whipped topping into the cranberry mixture, continuing until no streaks remain.
Transfer the filling to the graham cracker crust. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours before serving, or preferably overnight.
Slice and serve cold, garnishing with whipped cream if desired.

Notes

I prefer to use homemade cranberry sauce, as it provides great flavor and color. You can use canned whole berry sauce if you don’t have homemade on hand. Don’t use the jellied cranberry sauce variety!
If desired, you can add the zest of an orange to the filling to make this a cranberry orange cream pie.
I use a store-bought graham cracker crust to save time, but you can make your own if you prefer.
Leftover pie should be covered and refrigerated for up to 3-4 days. You can also freeze leftover pie and enjoy it frozen (similar to an ice cream pie) or let it thaw before eating.