Description

Celebrate the holidays with this Festive NILLA-Almond Crunch Cake, a no-bake dessert that combines creamy filling, a crunchy NILLA wafer-almond-pretzel crust, and colorful festive sprinkles. Sweet, salty, and incredibly easy to make, this cake is the perfect centerpiece for any holiday gathering.

Ingredients

For the Crust:

50 NILLA Wafers, finely crushed
¾ cup slivered almonds, toasted and finely ground
½ cup finely crushed thin pretzel twists
⅓ cup butter, melted

For the Filling:

16 ounces (2 packages) Neufchatel cheese, softened
1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 teaspoon almond extract
1 (8-ounce) tub frozen lite whipped topping, thawed

For Decoration:

¼ cup multi-colored nonpareils (red, white, and green)

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Instructions

1. Prepare the Crust

In a medium mixing bowl, combine finely crushed NILLA wafers, toasted ground almonds, and crushed pretzels.
Add melted butter and mix until the ingredients are evenly moistened.
Press the mixture into the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish, ensuring it’s firm and even.
Place the dish in the refrigerator to chill while you prepare the filling.

2. Prepare the Filling

In a large mixing bowl, beat softened Neufchatel cheese with an electric mixer on medium speed until smooth and creamy.
Gradually add sweetened condensed milk and continue beating until the mixture is creamy and well-blended.
Stir in vanilla and almond extracts, ensuring they’re fully incorporated.
Using a spatula, gently fold in the thawed whipped topping until the filling is fluffy and smooth.

3. Assemble the Cake

Remove the crust from the refrigerator.
Spread the cream cheese filling evenly over the chilled crust, creating a smooth layer.
Sprinkle the festive nonpareils (red, white, and green) over the top to decorate.

4. Chill

Cover the dish with plastic wrap or foil and refrigerate for at least 2–3 hours, or until the cake is fully set.

5. Serve and Enjoy

Once the cake has chilled, slice it into squares and serve cold.
Each piece will showcase the perfect combination of a crunchy crust, creamy filling, and colorful topping.

Notes

Toast the Almonds: Toasting the almonds adds a nutty depth to the crust—don’t skip this step!
Refrigeration is Key: Letting the cake chill ensures the filling sets properly for clean slices.
Custom Decorations: Adjust the sprinkles or toppings to fit any holiday or occasion.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 2 hours
Category: Dessert
Method: No-Bake
Cuisine: American