Christmas Crunch Cake
Christmas Crunch Cake is a delightful no-bake dessert that combines creamy layers with a crunchy topping, making it a festive favorite during the holiday season. This cake features a base and topping made from crushed granola bars mixed with melted butter and sugar, enveloping a luscious filling of cream cheese, sweetened condensed milk, and whipped topping. Festive red, white, and green nonpareils are folded into the filling and sprinkled on top, adding a cheerful touch to this indulgent treat.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Crust and Topping:
- 16 Nature Valley™ crunchy granola bars (Oats ‘n Honey), crushed
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted
- 2/3 cup granulated sugar
For the Filling:
- 2 (8 oz.) packages cream cheese, softened
- 1 (14 oz.) can sweetened condensed milk
- 1 (8 oz.) container extra creamy whipped topping
- 1/2 teaspoon pure almond extract
- 1 tablespoon spiced rum or vanilla extract (optional)
- 1/3 cup red, white, and green nonpareils (plus extra for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare the Crust:
- In a large bowl, combine the crushed granola bars, melted butter, and granulated sugar until well mixed.
- Press half of this mixture firmly into the bottom of a 9×9-inch baking pan that has been generously sprayed with nonstick baking spray.
- Place the pan in the freezer to set while preparing the filling.
- Prepare the Filling:
- In a mixer, beat together the softened cream cheese, sweetened condensed milk, and whipped topping until smooth and creamy.
- Add the almond extract and spiced rum or vanilla extract (if using), and mix until well combined.
- Gently fold in the nonpareils, reserving about 1 teaspoon for the topping.
- Assemble the Cake:
- Remove the pan from the freezer and spread the filling evenly over the chilled crust.
- Sprinkle the remaining granola mixture over the top of the filling, pressing down gently to adhere.
- Garnish with the reserved nonpareils for an extra festive touch.
- Freeze and Serve:
- Cover the pan with plastic wrap and freeze until firm, about 4-6 hours or overnight for best results.
- Before serving, remove the cake from the freezer and let it sit at room temperature for about 10 minutes to soften slightly.
- Cut into squares and enjoy this festive treat!
Notes
- For a different crunchy texture, some variations of this recipe use a combination of crushed graham crackers and corn flakes for the crust and topping.
- This cake can be made ahead of time and stored in the freezer, making it a convenient option for holiday gatherings.
Find it online: https://recipe.newsvks.com/christmas-crunch-cake/