Sweet, creamy, and perfectly festive, this White Chocolate Cranberry Tart combines rich white chocolate with a tangy cranberry layer for a showstopping Christmas treat. Each slice offers smooth sweetness, a pop of tart fruit, and a wholesome oat-almond crust. It’s naturally gluten-free, dairy-free, and sweetened with maple syrup. Ideal for make-ahead entertaining, it’s an elegant dessert that looks just as good as it tastes.
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Why You’ll Love This White Chocolate Cranberry Tart
This tart is easy, impressive, and wholesome. The steps are simple and use real ingredients. The crust has a toasty, nutty flavor that pairs beautifully with the smooth, creamy white chocolate layer. The cranberry filling adds a bright color and tart contrast, creating a perfect holiday balance. You can make it in advance, chill, and garnish before serving. It’s festive, allergy-friendly, and absolutely irresistible.
Ingredients You’ll Need
For the Crust
A blend of gluten-free oats, raw almonds, refined coconut oil, and maple syrup creates a crisp and nutty base with a light sweetness and golden color.
For the Cranberry Layer
Fresh or frozen cranberries simmered with water and maple syrup, thickened slightly with agar agar or gelatin for a jewel-like texture and tangy flavor.
For the White Chocolate Layer
Creamy coconut or cashew milk blended with soaked cashews, melted cacao butter or vegan white chocolate, maple syrup, and a pinch of salt for a smooth, silky filling.
Optional Garnishes
Sugar-coated cranberries and white chocolate chips add sparkle and a festive touch to the finished tart.
Note: You can easily adjust the ingredients for vegan or nut-free versions using substitutes like cashew milk or vegan white chocolate.
How to Make White Chocolate Cranberry Tart
Prepare the Crust
Blend oats and almonds until crumbly, then mix in coconut oil and maple syrup to form a dough. Press the mixture into a tart pan, covering the base and sides evenly. Bake at 350°F until golden and lightly crisp, then cool completely before adding the filling.
Make the Cranberry Layer
Simmer cranberries, water, and maple syrup until the berries soften. Blend until smooth, then stir in agar agar or gelatin and cook until slightly thickened. Spread a layer of this cranberry mix over the cooled crust and chill briefly to set.
Prepare the White Chocolate Filling
Melt cacao butter and white chocolate, then let cool slightly. Blend soaked cashews with coconut milk, maple syrup, and salt until creamy. Add the melted chocolate mixture and blend again until smooth and silky. Pour over the cranberry layer and spread evenly.
Chill and Set
Refrigerate for two to three hours until firm. Once set, top with sugar-coated cranberries and white chocolate chips. Slice carefully and serve chilled. Store any leftovers in the refrigerator for up to three days.
Expert Tips for Success
Soak cashews ahead of time for a smoother filling. Use refined coconut oil for a neutral flavor. Allow the cranberry layer to cool before adding the white chocolate filling so layers stay distinct. For clean slices, chill slightly longer or freeze briefly before cutting.
Flavor and Texture Notes
The tart features a creamy white chocolate filling balanced by the tangy cranberry layer and a crunchy oat-almond crust. The textures contrast beautifully while the flavors blend into a mix of sweet, tart, and nutty. It’s light yet indulgent and perfect for the holidays.
Recipe Variations and Substitutions
Add orange zest to the cranberry mix for a citrusy brightness or a touch of vanilla to the white chocolate layer for warmth. You can replace agar agar with gelatin or swap cacao butter for vegan white chocolate. Crushed pistachios or toasted coconut make fun toppings too.
Make-Ahead and Storage Instructions
This tart can be made a day in advance. Keep it chilled until serving and add garnishes right before bringing it to the table. Store leftovers in the fridge for up to three days for the best flavor and texture.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the ingredients in white chocolate cranberry cookies?
They often include white chocolate, cranberries, flour, sugar, and butter. This tart uses healthier alternatives like cashews and maple syrup.
Does white chocolate pair with orange?
Yes, the citrus enhances its sweetness and adds a refreshing note.
What fruit is best with white chocolate?
Cranberries, raspberries, and strawberries are all great matches.
What flavor goes with white chocolate?
Vanilla, citrus, almonds, and tart berries pair perfectly.
Other Christmas Recipes to Enjoy
- cocoa poke cake Christmas dessert
- cranberry brie bites festive recipe
- sourdough peach cobbler Christmas recipe
- lemon blueberry cookies Christmas recipe
- Christmas sugar cookie bars soft chewy
- butter cookies Christmas homemade recipe
Conclusion
This White Chocolate Cranberry Tart brings creamy sweetness and festive color to any Christmas table. It’s easy to make, wholesome, and absolutely beautiful. Pair it with your favorite Christmas desserts or share your creation with us on Pinterest to spread the holiday joy.
White Chocolate Cranberry Tart
Equipment
- Food processor For blending oats and almonds
- Tart pan For shaping and baking the crust
- Saucepan For making the cranberry filling
- Blender To blend the cashew cream
- Refrigerator For chilling the tart
Ingredients
- Gluten-free oats
- Raw almonds
- Refined coconut oil
- Maple syrup
- Fresh or frozen cranberries
- Agar agar or gelatin
- Coconut milk or cashew milk
- Soaked raw cashews
- Cacao butter or vegan white chocolate
- Salt
- Optional garnishes: sugar-coated cranberries, white chocolate chips
Instructions
- Blend oats and almonds until crumbly. Add coconut oil and maple syrup, then press the dough into a tart pan and bake until golden. Let cool completely.
- Simmer cranberries with water and maple syrup until soft. Blend smooth, stir in agar agar or gelatin, and cook until thickened. Spread a layer into the crust and chill.
- Melt cacao butter and white chocolate. Blend cashews, milk, maple syrup, and salt until creamy, then mix with the melted chocolate. Pour over the cranberry layer and smooth evenly.
- Chill for 2 to 3 hours until set. Garnish with sugar-coated cranberries and white chocolate chips before serving.
