Description
This Cranberry Apple Pie recipe transforms classic pie flavors into a delightful and convenient layered dessert, perfect for individual servings. Featuring tender cooked apples with cinnamon and vanilla, a tart cranberry sauce, creamy vanilla Greek yogurt, and a crunchy shortbread cookie crumble, this no-bake treat is beautifully layered in clear cups or mason jars, making it ideal for holiday gatherings or casual get-togethers. Garnished with mini cinnamon sticks or festive sprinkles, it offers a perfect balance of sweet and tart with varied textures in every bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Apple Mixture
- 4 medium apples, peeled and chopped into 1/2-inch pieces
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 3 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
Cranberry Sauce
- 1 cup fresh or frozen cranberries
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons water
- 1 tablespoon orange juice (optional)
Assembly
- 2 cups vanilla Greek yogurt or whipped cream
- 1 sleeve shortbread cookies, crushed
- 6–8 clear plastic cups or mason jars
- Mini cinnamon sticks or leaf-shaped sprinkles for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare the apple mixture: In a medium skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the chopped apples, brown sugar, and ground cinnamon, stirring to combine. Cook for about 8-10 minutes until the apples are tender but still hold their shape. Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract. Set aside to cool.
- Make the cranberry sauce: In a small saucepan, combine the cranberries, granulated sugar, water, and orange juice if using. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the cranberries burst and the sauce thickens slightly, about 8-10 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool.
- Prepare the cookie crumble: Crush the shortbread cookies into fine crumbs using a food processor or by placing them in a sealed bag and crushing with a rolling pin.
- Assemble the layered dessert: In each clear cup or mason jar, start by adding a layer of the apple mixture. Next, add a layer of the cranberry sauce, followed by a layer of vanilla Greek yogurt or whipped cream. Sprinkle a layer of crushed shortbread cookies on top. Repeat the layers if there is room, finishing with a cookie crumble layer.
- Garnish and serve: Top each assembled dessert with mini cinnamon sticks or leaf-shaped sprinkles for a festive touch. Serve immediately or refrigerate until ready to serve. The dessert can be chilled for up to 4 hours before serving to allow flavors to meld.
Notes
- You can substitute vanilla Greek yogurt with whipped cream or a non-dairy alternative for different flavor and texture.
- For a more tart cranberry sauce, add a teaspoon of lemon juice instead of orange juice.
- This dessert is best served chilled but can be enjoyed at room temperature.
- If shortbread cookies are unavailable, graham crackers or digestive biscuits can be good substitutes.
- Make sure to cool the apple mixture and cranberry sauce before assembling to prevent the yogurt or whipped cream from melting.
Keywords: cranberry apple pie, layered dessert, no-bake pie, holiday dessert, apple cinnamon dessert, cranberry sauce dessert, Greek yogurt dessert