You guys, isn’t this dessert pretty?! I think it is the perfect new treat for your holiday dessert table. The cranberry sauce on top makes me think Thanksgiving, but isn’t the color perfect for Christmas? You should definitely plan to make it for both!
Want to know the best part(s)? Don’t worry I’ll tell you! Here are a few:
- It is no bake, so you don’t need to jockey for oven space!
- It is sweet enough to be dessert, but it isn’t sickeningly sweet.
- You can make it a day or two in advance.
- It has three kinds of fruit in it, and wholesome dairy. So, it is practically a health food!
Are you convinced you should make it yet? You definitely should be!
I mean really, doesn’t it look pretty? The filling is so light and fluffy. The cranberry sauce adds so much flavor. The lady fingers make it look so pretty and elegant. I have been wanting to make something like this for quite some time and finally had a perfect excuse. We were invited to dinner at some friends’ house and I was on the dessert committee. Score! Time to pull out all of the stops!
All you have to do is make a “crust” out of lady fingers. Dip them in a little orange juice to add that extra punch of orange flavor.
After a few minutes in the mixer is and the filling is ready to go. You will not believe how fluffy this stuff is! The best part is it is made with all wholesome ingredients you would be glad to eat!
Make a batch of classic orange cranberry sauce and strain out the solids. Then you have a nice smooth topping that will knock your socks off. The color is amazing and the flavor is perfect for the holidays. This dessert feels so indulgent and elegant. Nobody will ever guess how easy it was!
Orange Cranberry Charlotte Russe
Makes a 7″ dessert
Ingredients:
7 oz lady fingers
1 cup orange juice
2 small bananas
2 oz cream cheese
zest of one orange
1 cup heavy cream
1 cup mascarpone cheese
Topping:
1 cup orange juice
12 ounces fresh cranberries
3/4 cup sugar
1 cinnamon stick
- Dip each lady finger quickly into the orange juice. Just pass it through the orange juice, you don’t want them to get soggy. Cut to the height of your springform pan. Place around the edge of the pan, using the cut ends to make the bottom crust. Don’t worry if the bottom isn’t completely filled in, but you do want the outer rim to be complete.
- In your mixer, beat together the bananas and cream cheese until mostly smooth.
- Add the zest, cream and mascarpone. Beat until the cream thickens. Once it is thick enough to form soft peaks and hold its shape, spoon into prepared lady finger crust and spread until smooth. Refrigerate.
- Meanwhile, make the cranberry topping by bringing orange juice, cranberries, sugar and cinnamon stick to a boil over medium-low heat. Cook for 15-20 minutes, stirring frequently. Pour through a sieve or small holed strainer. Push filling with the back of a spoon to release all of the liquid. Allow strained liquid to cool to room temperature for at least an hour.
- Spread half of the completely cooled cranberry sauce over the chilled filling and return to refrigerator until ready to serve. Use the rest of the cranberry topping for serving.
Vanessa Rottner
Sunday 13th of March 2016
If you can't obtain Mascarpone cheese, it's easy to make. You need 500 ml (2 cups of) heavy cream, bring to medium heat stirring constantly, until to coats the wooden spoon, add 3 teaspoons of lemon (I prefer this to vinegar). Keep stirring until thickens. Cool in bath of cool water, for 20 minutes. Refrigerate (strain in cheese cloth with strainer with bowl underneath)..it should look like cream cheese. You can reserve the whey in the bottom of the bowl for other cooking.
Carlee
Monday 14th of March 2016
It would be so much fun to make my own mascarpone! I'll have to give that a try!
Vanessa Rottner
Sunday 13th of March 2016
This traditional Edwardian dish was often served for lunch in the U.K. It cranberry/orange is placed on the bottom so that when it is 'flipped'after resting in the fridge the bottom becomes the top. This looks wonderful, I made my first when I was 15. Now Carlee you have whet my appetite. Bon Appetite. Thank you for the lovely photo's.
Carlee
Sunday 13th of March 2016
Oh my, I would love to see it done that way! Thank you!
Unknown
Tuesday 1st of December 2015
Good golly Miss Molly, luv the delicious recipe. To die for. Wow, prize amazon gc is fab. & splendid. 2 fingers snap. It is tight, fly & off the chain. Thank you for the awesomeness, the contest, and generosity. :) Pick me, pick me! Dear Santa: I’ve been nice. My X-Mas wish this year is to win this contest. Starving artist here desperately needs the gc to shop and eat. A life changing exp.
Carlee
Tuesday 1st of December 2015
Good luck!
elaine @cookinandcraftin.com
Monday 30th of November 2015
This looks great a perfect compliment to a holiday meal! Thanks for sharing on My 2 Favorite Things on Thursday! Hope to see you again this week (Dec. 3rd)!! Pinned!
Carlee
Tuesday 1st of December 2015
Thanks for hosting, Elaine! We really enjoyed having something a little different with our holiday meal!
Unknown
Saturday 28th of November 2015
This looks simply divine! Thanks for sharing your recipe with us at Funtastic Friday. Hope to see you again at this week's party:-)
Carlee
Saturday 28th of November 2015
Thank you, Sherry!