Mouth watering Cranberry-Apple Pie recipe!
Greetings, my fellow culinary adventurers! Today, I bring to you a recipe that will incite your taste buds and satisfy your cravings. Get ready to indulge in the sensational flavors of Cranberry-Apple Pie!
As a fan of apple pies myself, I found myself coming up with ways to shake up the traditional apple pie recipe – and thus the Cranberry-Apple Pie was born! The combination of tart cranberries and sweet apples meld together beautifully in this mouth-watering dessert that will leave your guests begging for more.
But don’t take my word for it – try it out yourself! This pie is sure to become a new classic in your home’s regular rotation of baked goods. So preheat those ovens and let’s get started on this delicious journey together.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Listen up, pie lovers! I’m here to tell you why this Cranberry-Apple Pie recipe is the one you need to whip up ASAP. Not only is it bursting with the perfect combination of tart and sweet flavors, but it’s also a showstopper that will impress anyone who takes a bite.
First off, let’s talk about the filling. You’ve got an abundance of fresh apples (Granny Smith or cooking apples work perfectly) and tangy cranberries mixed together with a sprinkle of nutmeg and cinnamon – pure fall goodness! And if that isn’t enough, we’re throwing in some walnuts or pecans for that extra crunch factor.
But wait, it gets better. The filling is layered with a thick cranberry sauce that complements the fruit so well, you’ll want to eat it straight out of the jar! Then, we top everything off with a golden brown crust that holds together like a dream and practically melts in your mouth.
This pie is not only a gastronomical delight, but it’s also versatile. It can be served warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream as dessert or chilled for breakfast with a dollop of whipped cream on top. It’s all up to you!
To sum it up, this Cranberry-Apple Pie recipe has everything you could ask for in an autumnal treat: rich flavors, contrasting textures, stunning presentation – and did I mention leftovers? Trust me; you’re going to love every single bite.
Ingredient List
Before you start, make sure to gather all your ingredients so that you have everything you need. It’s always best to be prepared, especially when baking a delicious Cranberry-Apple Pie.
Here’s what you will need:
- 2 cups of all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon of salt
- 3/4 cup of shortening
- 1/4 cup of cold water
For the Filling
- 4 cups of thinly sliced and peeled cooking apples (Granny Smith or Braeburn)
- 2 cups of fresh or frozen cranberries
- 1 cup of granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup of cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons of fresh orange zest (optional but recommended!)
- 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon of ground nutmeg
For the Topping
- 1/2 cup of all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans
- 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) unsalted butter
For the Egg Wash (Optional)
- 1 egg yolk
- 1 tablespoon half-and-half cream
For Serving
- Vanilla ice cream or whipped cream (optional)
Make sure to double-check your ingredients list before heading out to the grocery store. Keep in mind that substitutions can be made, but keep the essence of a cranberry-apple flavor profile intact.
The Recipe How-To
Now for the exciting part, let me walk you through my step-by-step guide to making the ultimate Cranberry-Apple Pie.
Ingredients
The first thing you will need is to assemble your ingredients. Here is what you’ll need:
For the Filling:
- 2 cups fresh or frozen cranberries
- 5 medium cooking apples, peeled, cored, and sliced
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 tablespoon of cornstarch
For the Pie Crust:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter, chilled and diced
- 1/4–1/2 cup ice water
Directions
Preparing the Crust:
- In a large bowl whisk together flour and salt. Then add chilly diced butter into the bowl.
- Working quickly using your hands, rub the butter into the flour until the mixture looks like breadcrumbs.
- Gradually add cold water until the crumbs form dough.
- Split the dough in half and wrap each piece in waxed paper; chill for about an hour.
Making the Filling:
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- In a small mixing bowl whisk together granulated sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cornstarch until well combined.
- In a large mixing bowl combine sliced apples and fresh or thawed cranberries.
- Slowly pour sugar mixture over fruit and toss gently with a wooden spoon until fruit is evenly coated.
Assembling the Pie:
- Remove one of your dough halves from fridge and unwrap onto a floured surface. The rolled-out dough should be about an inch wider than your pie dish.
- Use a rolling pin to maneuver pie crust into a deep dish 9 inches pie pan.
- Pour filling into pie dish (apples first).
- Roll out remaining pastry to fit top of pie; slice into strips 1/2 inch wide for a lattice top or place on top of filling with slits cut in it for steam to escape.
Finishing Touches:
- Lightly brush pie dough with half-and-half cream; sprinkle lightly with cinnamon sugar if desired.
- Cover edges loosely with foil to prevent excessive browning or burning during baking.
- Place pie plate in oven on lowest rack (to enhance bottom crust browning) and bake at 350°F for around one hour or until filling is cooked through.
Serve and enjoy!
Once baked, take it out of the oven and allow it to cool completely before serving it up as dessert perfection!
Substitutions and Variations
Are you looking to put your own twist on this Cranberry-Apple Pie? Here are some substitutions and variations you can try:
– Nuts: Switch up the walnuts and pecans with your favorite nut. Almonds or hazelnuts would make a great addition to this recipe.
– Spices: Add in some more spice by increasing the amount of cinnamon or nutmeg, or even adding in some ginger or cardamom for a warm and cozy flavor.
– Flour: Swap out the all-purpose flour for a gluten-free alternative, such as almond flour or oat flour.
– Sugar: You can adjust the amount of sugar used in this recipe to suit your taste preferences. You can also try using brown sugar instead of granulated sugar for a richer flavor.
– Crust: If you don’t have time to make homemade pie crust from scratch, you can use store-bought pie crusts or even a crumb pie crust made from crushed cookies or graham crackers.
– Filling: Mix things up by adding dried cranberries or cranberry sauce to the apple filling. You could also create an entirely new flavor by substituting the apples with pears or peaches.
Remember, experimenting with substitutions and variations is half the fun of cooking! Don’t be afraid to get creative and make this Cranberry-Apple Pie recipe your own.
Serving and Pairing
When it comes to serving this delectable cranberry-apple pie, I suggest you go all out with a scoop of your favorite vanilla ice cream smothered on top. The ice cream will melt slowly and mix together with the warm gooey filling making every bite a heavenly bliss.
For those who don’t mind changing things up every now and then, you can opt for some freshly whipped cream. The lightness of the whipped cream complements the flavor of the pie appetizingly well.
Now, let’s talk about pairing. A hot cup of coffee, tea or cocoa will make an amazing accompaniment to the pie. The bitterness of the coffee and tea contrasts nicely with the sweetness of the pie, while the warmth and comfort from each drink add to the overall gastronomic experience.
If you’re looking for a drink that provides a fresher taste, go for cider, it’s fall in a glass. The apple notes from a glass of cider echo and heighten those flavors in our cranberry-apple pie.
Finally, for those who prefer adult beverages, a glass of red wine will be an excellent accompaniment to this classic dessert. Light-bodied red wines such as pinot noirs or merlots are excellent choices that can balance out any sweet notes in the pie. Just make sure not to overdo it when enjoying both!
Whatever drink you choose to pair it with or treat you decide to pop on top, just know that every bite is worth savoring.
Make-Ahead, Storing and Reheating
I know firsthand how valuable it is to be able to prep a dish in advance, and that’s why I am excited to share the make-ahead, storing, and reheating tips for this delicious cranberry-apple pie recipe with you.
Once you have prepared your heavenly pie, you may be thinking of scheduling it for an event or want to enjoy it at a later date. Here’s the good news – this pie does very well as a make-ahead dessert!
Here are the simple procedures for make-ahead, storing, and reheating:
Make ahead:
The best way to make ahead the cranberry apple pie would be to prepare the filling and keep it refrigerated for up to 24 hours before baking. Next, pour the chilled mixture into your pie crust and bake as directed.
Storing:
Leftovers must always be handled properly; this pie can last at room temperature for up to 2 days while in a covered container. If you plan on keeping it for longer than that, you’ll want to store it in the fridge where it can last up to 4-5 days without sacrificing its delicious flavor.
Reheating:
When reheating any baked dessert, there are a few critical factors to consider. To reheat individual servings of this yummy pie, preheat your oven to 325°F(165°C), place a slice onto an oven-safe plate or tray, cover with foil or an oven-safe lid, then let heat up for between 10-15 minutes until it comes back up to temperature. For larger portions or heated via microwave, please use caution so that packets of hot spots don’t develop.
By following these basic procedures, you’ll have leftovers that are just as tempting as when freshly baked. Enjoy every bite!
Tips for Perfect Results
Now that you’ve mastered the basics of making a cranberry-apple pie, it’s time to take it up a notch and aim for perfection. Here are some tips to help you achieve an irresistible and flawless slice of pie every time.
1. Keep the Dough Cold and Handle with Care
To ensure your crust stays flaky and tender, it’s important to keep the dough cold. Use chilled butter and ice-cold water when making your dough, and work quickly to prevent it from getting too warm. Additionally, handle the dough gently when rolling it out to avoid developing tough gluten strands that can make the crust chewy.
2. Don’t Overmix Apples and Cranberries
When combining the apples and cranberries with the sugar, flour, spices or other ingredients for the filling, be careful not to overmix them. Overhandling them can cause juices to be released, resulting in a watery filling with less distinct fruit pieces.
3. Adjust Sugar Level Depending on Tartness
The tartness of your cranberries and apples can vary depending on their ripeness or source. Keep this in mind when adding sugar to your pie filling. Taste test before baking as you may need to adjust the sugar levels accordingly.
4. Use a Deep-Dish Pie Dish
Avoid using a shallow dish that prevents your filling from being piled high enough by opting for a deep-dish pie dish instead. This provides enough space for plenty of filling without causing a mess in your oven.
5. Ventilate Your Pie Crust
Don’t forget to cut slits or create vents in the top crust before baking! This allows steam to escape while baking and can prevent dreaded soggy bottoms.
With these tips in mind, you’re ready to perfect your cranberry-apple pie recipe. Remember that perfection takes practice, so don’t be afraid to experiment with different techniques until you find your own secret tricks!
Bottom Line
So there you have it- the perfect cranberry-apple pie recipe that is guaranteed to delight your taste buds and leave your guests begging for seconds. With a flaky crust, tart cranberries and sweet apples, this delicious dessert will be the hit of any gathering.
But don’t take my word for it – try it out for yourself and taste the magic that happens when you combine the sweetness of apples with the tanginess of cranberries.
Plus, with our tips for perfect results, make-ahead and storing instructions, and ingredient substitutions, you can customize this recipe to your liking and ensure a hassle-free baking experience.
Whether you are looking to impress your Thanksgiving guests or simply craving a sweet treat on a crisp fall evening, this pie has got your back. So roll up your sleeves, grab your ingredients and start baking! You won’t regret it.
Cranberry-Apple Pie Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 (9 inch) pastry for double-crust deep dish pie (to fit bottom of a 9-inch deep-dish pie plate)
- 18% table cream or half-and-half cream
- 2 teaspoons sugar
FILLING
- 6 large cooking apples, peeled, cored and thinly sliced
- 1 (16 ounce) can whole cranberry sauce (use Ocean Spray for best results)
- 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed (you may increase slightly if desired)
- 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 -1 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1/2 cup walnuts (optional) or 1/2 cup pecans (optional)
Instructions
- Set oven to 350 degrees F (set oven rack to lowest position).
- Line the bottom of a 9-inch deep-dish pie plate with prepared pastry.
- In a medium bowl combine the apples with whole cranberry sauce.
- In a small bowl combine the brown sugar with flour, cinnamon and nutmeg.
- Add the apple mixture; mix until completely combined.
- Mix in nuts (if using).
- Transfer to the crust-lined pie plate.
- Cover with remaining pastry then crimp the edges.
- Cut 2-3 slits in the top of the pastry.
- Lightly brush whipping cream evenly over the pastry then sprinkle sugar over the top.
- Place the pie onto a baking sheet to prevent any spills.
- Bake for about 1 hour or until the crust is golden brown and the filling is bubbly.
- CRUMB TOPPING:
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour PLUS 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour/ 1/2 cup light brown, packed/ 1/3 cup white sugar/ 1 teaspoon cinnamon/ 1/2 cup cold butter cut into small cubes.
- In a bowl combine the flour with both sugars and cinnamon, add in the butter, using fingers mix until it resembles coarse meal.
- Sprinkle the mixture over the top of the filling then using hands press/pack down firmly (omit the whipping and 2 teaspoons sugar).
Your Own Notes
Nutrition
Recommended Recipes Just For You
Mishra Vikas is a digital nomad who loves to explore the world and learn about its cultures. As a programmer, backpacker, and cook, he enjoys sharing his adventures and cooking up delectable dishes. Writing about his experiences, creating tasty recipes, and discovering new places are some of his favorite activities. He’s an avid traveler and passionate chef, always on the lookout for an exciting new journey.