What’s the best cranberry sauce to use for this easy cranberry cream cheese crumb pie?

You can use homemade sauce, canned cranberry jelly recipes, or recipes using Ocean Spray cranberry sauce. All work beautifully, especially if you want a sweeter cranberry pie or a tangier cranberry crumble pie finish.

Can I make this as a cranberry cream cheese crumb pie no bake version?

Yes. Skip the egg in the filling, use a no-bake crust, and chill until firm. It’s perfect if you want a faster dessert or a warm-weather twist.

How can I use leftover cranberry sauce in this recipe?

This is one of the best leftover cranberry sauce pie recipes because the cranberry layer works with any texture—whole berry or jellied. It’s a simple, flavorful way to learn how to use leftover cranberry sauce without waste.

Can I make this richer, like a cookie butter pie Taste of Home style?

Absolutely. Add a swirl of cookie butter to the cream cheese layer for deeper flavor or turn it into a cranberry cream cheese crumb pie with condensed milk for extra sweetness. Both pair wonderfully with the cranberry sauce crumble topping.

Description

A luscious holiday pie featuring a smooth cream cheese layer, a bright and tangy cranberry filling, and a buttery golden crumble on top. Perfect for using leftover cranberry sauce or elevating a classic seasonal flavor into a show-stopping dessert. Creamy, sweet, tart, and crunchy — this pie has it all.

Ingredients

Scale

🛒 Ingredients (for one 9-inch pie):

Name: Cranberry Cream Cheese Crumb Pie
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 3 h
Yield: 8 servings
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 ½ cups graham cracker crumbs; 6 tbsp melted butter; 2 tbsp granulated sugar; 8 oz cream cheese, softened; ½ cup granulated sugar; 1 large egg; 1 tsp vanilla extract; Optional: ¼ cup sweetened condensed milk; 1 ½ cups cranberry sauce (homemade, canned jellied, or leftover); Optional: 1 tsp orange zest; ¾ cup all-purpose flour; ½ cup brown sugar; ½ tsp cinnamon; 6 tbsp cold butter, cubed

For the Crust:

1 ½ cups graham cracker crumbs
6 tbsp melted butter
2 tbsp granulated sugar

For the Cream Cheese Filling:

8 oz cream cheese, softened
½ cup granulated sugar
1 large egg
1 tsp vanilla extract
Optional: ¼ cup sweetened condensed milk for extra richness

For the Cranberry Layer:

1 ½ cups cranberry sauce (homemade, canned jellied, or leftover)
Optional: 1 tsp orange zest

For the Crumb Topping:

¾ cup all-purpose flour
½ cup brown sugar
½ tsp cinnamon
6 tbsp cold butter, cubed

Instructions

📝 Instructions: Step 1: Prepare Crust

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
In a bowl, mix graham crumbs, sugar, and melted butter until combined.
Press firmly into a 9-inch pie dish.
Bake for 8 minutes, then let cool slightly.

Step 2: Make Cream Cheese Layer

In a large bowl, beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth.
Mix in egg, vanilla, and condensed milk (if using).
Spread evenly over the crust.

Step 3: Add Cranberry Layer

Spoon cranberry sauce over the cream cheese.
Swirl lightly or leave as a clean layer.

Step 4: Assemble Crumb Topping

Combine flour, brown sugar, and cinnamon.
Cut in cold butter until mixture forms crumbs.
Sprinkle evenly over the cranberry layer.

Step 5: Bake Pie

Bake for 35–40 minutes, until topping is golden and center is set.
Cool completely, then chill 2 hours before slicing.

Notes

Leftover Hack: Perfect for extra Thanksgiving cranberry sauce.
No-Bake Version: Skip the egg, use a no-bake crust, and chill instead of bake.
Flavor Boost: A tablespoon of cookie butter mixed into the cream cheese adds bakery-style depth.
Serving Tip: Top with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream for the dreamiest finish.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 35–40 minutes
Category: Dessert / Holiday Pie
Method: Baked
Cuisine: American