No-Bake Cranberry Yum Yum

Two fluffy whipped cream layers sandwich whole berry cranberry sauce filling to create a cranberry version of this classic Southern dessert.  And let me just say, No-Bake Cranberry Yum Yum is truly one cranberry dessert that lives up to its name.

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'Tis the season for cranberry!  

And y'all, my husband came up with the absolute BEST way to enjoy the season's tart and saucy little berry. -- This deliciously creamy No-Bake Cranberry Yum Yum.  And let me just tell you, it's one cranberry dessert that truly lives up to its name.

For those not familiar it, Yum Yum is a very popular Southern dessert.  It's typically made with two fluffy whipped cream-based layers sandwiching a fruit or flavored filling, all sitting atop a graham cracker or shortbread crust.  It's creaminess makes it one totally satisfying, comfort food dessert, for sure.

Most people who do know Yum Yum know Cherry Yum Yum and Blueberry Yum Yum, the dessert's two most classic flavors.  But this iconic Southern favorite can truly be made in a large variety of flavors like peach, Oreo, coconut, and even pumpkin.

And let me just say, No-Bake Cranberry Yum Yum is truly one cranberry dessert that lives up to its name.

But whatever flavor it's in? -- Yum Yum is one of our family's absolute favorite desserts.

So, the other night at dinner my husband just randomly said, "You should make cranberry Yum Yum."

At first I gave him the side-eye glance like he was absolutely crazy. -- You know that glance, right?  But then literally about 2 seconds later as the thought had time to process through my mind, my reaction quickly changed to, "Hey, he might be onto something here."

So the next day I grabbed the usual Yum Yum ingredients and a can of whole berry cranberry sauce to try as the fruit filling, and whipped up a test pan of Cranberry Yum Yum.  

And you know what? -- It's really good!  

My hubby wasn't absolutely crazy with his Cranberry Yum Yum idea, he was absolutely right.  And his idea is an absolutely perfect dessert to grace the table for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and any fall dinner.  

No-Bake Cranberry Yum Yum Ingredients

There are four elements that come together to create a tasty pan of Cranberry Yum Yum.  Let's take a look at the ingredients for each one.

• Crust - A cinnamon-laced graham cracker crust works beautifully with the cranberry filling.  To make the crust you'll need graham cracker crumbs, melted unsalted butter, and ground cinnamon.  I use packaged pre-crushed graham cracker crumbs for ease and convenience, or you can crush your own.

• Fluffy Whipped Cream Layers - Fluffy layers are the signature element of Yum Yum desserts.  To create the creaminess you'll need cream cheese, powdered sugar, granulated sugar, whipping cream, and vanilla extract.

• Cranberry Filling - Canned whole berry cranberry sauce works beautifully as the cranberry filling. We like the occasional tartness of biting into whole berries in the dessert, but if you prefer, jellied cranberry sauce (without the whole berries) would work, as well.

• Topping - A mix of some of the crust's graham cracker crumbs combined with chopped pecans makes for a flavorful topping that also adds a bit of textural crunch.

How to Make No-Bake Cranberry Yum Yum

When making a pan of Cranberry Yum Yum, start by preparing the graham cracker crust.

Combine graham cracker crumbs, a little tough of ground cinnamon, and melted butter, stirring them with a fork until the crumbs are evenly moistened.  Set aside a tablespoon of crumbs for the topping, and press the remaining crumbs into the bottom of baking dish.

Then set the crust aside while you prepare the rest of the layers.

Next, prepare the mixture for Yum Yum's signature creamy layers.

Start by beating together softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, and a bit of vanilla extract until the cream cheese is smooth.

Then, whip heavy whipping cream together with some granulated sugar and vanilla extract to make whipped cream.

Fold together the whipped cream and cream cheese mixture, and you're good to go with the Yum Yum's fluffy deliciousness.

To assemble the Cranberry Yum Yum layers, spread a little less than half of the whipped cream mixture evenly over the prepared graham cracker crust.

Then, give the cranberry sauce a little stir in its can to break it up a bit and make it easier to spread.  Drop the cranberry sauce by large spoonfuls on top of the whipped cream layer, and gently spread the cranberry sauce to connect the spoonfuls, evenly covering the cream cheese layer.

We do recommend chilling overnight if time allows, as the layers continue to meld more and more over time.

Top the cranberry layer with the remaining whipped cream mixture. Gently spread it evenly over the cranberry layer, covering the cranberry sauce completely.

To finish the Yum Yum off, mix together some chopped pecans and the reserved tablespoon of graham cracker crumbs. Then sprinkle the mixture evenly over the top.

Cover and refrigerate the Yum Yum for several hours or overnight before serving.  We do recommend chilling overnight if time allows, as the layers continue to meld more and more over time.

So if you'd like to enjoy your holiday cranberry sauce as a sweet treat, give this Cranberry Yum Yum creation a try.

With its two fluffy whipped cream layers sandwiching a layer of whole berry cranberry sauce filling, its a truly tasty cranberry version of a Southern favorite.  And let me just say, No-Bake Cranberry Yum Yum is truly one cranberry dessert that lives up to its name.

Check out these other favorite Yum Yum desserts:

• Eggnog Yum Yum
• Cherry Yum Yum
• Blueberry Yum Yum
• Strawberry Yum Yum
• Black Forest Yum Yum
• Pumpkin Yum Yum
• Banana Pudding Yum Yum
• Coconut Cream Yum Yum
• Oreo Yum Yum
• More dessert recipes

Thank you for stopping by The Kitchen is My Playground. We'd love to have you back soon!

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No-Bake Desserts

American

Yield: about 9-12 servings

Author: Tracey | The Kitchen is My Playground

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No-Bake Cranberry Yum Yum

Two fluffy whipped cream layers sandwich whole berry cranberry sauce filling to create a cranberry version of this classic Southern dessert.  And let me just say, No-Bake Cranberry Yum Yum is truly one cranberry dessert that lives up to its name.

Prep time: 30 MinTotal time: 30 Min

Ingredients

Crust:

• 1 1/4 c. graham cracker crumbs
• 1/4 tsp. ground cinnamon
• 6 T. unsalted butter, melted

Cream Cheese Mixture:

• 1 (8 oz.) package cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 c. confectioners' sugar
• 2 c. whipping cream
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract, divided
• 3 T. granulated sugar

Filling & Topping:

• 1 (14 oz.) can whole berry cranberry sauce
• 3 T. chopped pecans

Instructions

Prepare the Crust:

1. In a bowl, combine graham cracker crumbs, cinnamon, and melted butter. Blend with a fork until crumbs are moistened.
2. Set aside 1 tablespoon of crumbs for topping.
3. Press crumb mixture into the bottom of a 9x9-inch pan that's been sprayed with non-stick cooking spray.

Prepare the Cream Cheese Mixture:

1. With an electric mixer, cream together softened cream cheese, 1/2 cup confectioners' sugar, and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla until smooth.
2. In a separate bowl, whip the whipping cream, 3 tablespoons granulated sugar, and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract until stiff peaks form.
3. By hand, mix together whipped cream and cream cheese mixture until well combined.

Assemble the Yum Yum Layers:

1. Spread a little less than half the cream cheese/whipped cream mixture evenly over the crust.
2. Stir cranberry sauce a bit in its can to break it up. Drop cranberry sauce by large spoonfuls on top of the cream cheese layer. Gently spread cranberry sauce filling evenly over the cream cheese layer.
3. Top cranberry layer with the remaining cream cheese/whipped cream mixture. Gently spread it evenly over the cranberry layer, covering it completely.
4. Combine chopped pecans and reserved 1 tablespoon graham cracker crumbs. Sprinkle evenly over the top.
5. Cover and refrigerate for several hours or overnight before serving.

TRACEY'S NOTES:

1. 1/3-less fat cream cheese works just fine in this recipe.
2. You can substitute an 8 ounce container of Cool Whip non-dairy whipped topping for the homemade whipped cream in the cream cheese mixture if you'd like.
3. Double the recipe to make a 9x13" pan of Yum Yum.

Similar Recipes

Cherry Yum Yum

Pumpkin Yum Yum

Blueberry Yum Yum

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