Cranberry Orange Dessert

Ingredients

• 12 ounce fresh cranberries
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup brown sugar, (packed)
• 1 tablespoon orange zest
• 1/4 cup orange juice
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 1 3/4 cup graham cracker crumbs
• 1/2 cup butter, (melted)
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 8 ounce cream cheese
• 8 ounce container cool whip
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 3/4 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 cup all purpose flour
• 3/4 cup chopped pecans
• 1/4 cup melted butter

Instructions

1. 1

   Preheat the oven to 375° and lightly spray a 9×13 baking dish with non-stick cooking spray. Set aside.

2. 2

   --- Cranberry Orange Filling ---

3. 3

   In a medium saucepan add cranberries, sugar, brown sugar, orange zest, orange juice, and cornstarch. Stir to combine and bring to a boil over medium heat. Once the cranberries start to burst and thicken up remove from the heat and let cool completely.

4. 4

   --- Graham Cracker Crust ---

5. 5

   In a medium bowl, add graham cracker crumbs, sugar, and melted butter. Stir to combine.

6. 6

   Spread graham cracker mixture into prepared baking dish. Press into an even, smooth layer (save ½ cup of mixture for the topping).

7. 7

   Bake for 10 minutes, remove, and let cool completely.

8. 8

   --- Cream Cheese Mixture ---

9. 9

   In a medium bowl, using an electric mixer, beat cream cheese for 2-3 minutes or until light and fluffy.

10. 10

    Add powdered sugar and beat until combined.

11. 11

    Fold in the cool whip until combined.

12. 12

    --- Brown Sugar Pecan Topping ---

13. 13

    In a small bowl, mix brown sugar, flour, pecans, and butter together.

14. 14

    Spread mixture on prepared baking sheet and bake in the oven for 15 minutes.

15. 15

    Remove, let cool, then break into small pieces.

16. 16

    --- Putting it all Together ---

17. 17

    Once the crust has cooled completely, spread half of the cream cheese mixture over the graham cracker crust, followed by the cranberry filling, then add the remaining half of the cream cheese mixture on top of the cranberry filling. Top dessert with brown sugar pecan topping.