Apple Cranberry Pie
Apple Cranberry Pie is a delightful fall dessert that combines the sweet tartness of apples with the tangy burst of cranberries, all nestled within a flaky, buttery crust.
Suitable for vegetarian diets.
Tart cranberries and apples + warm cinnamon and brown sugar = perfect festive dessert. Apple cranberry pie comes together in no time, and sets the tone for fall! Cozy mugs, soft blankets, and inviting apple pie — mmmm-hmmmm.
Pie is undeniably one of the most cherished desserts around the globe. There’s just something about that flaky crust embracing a delicious filling that warms both the heart and soul. I adore the comforting nostalgia pies bring, and it’s one of my favorite desserts to serve family and friends. Especially during the holiday season.
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This pie recipe is a delightful twist on the classic apple pie. Adding tart cranberries to the mix elevates the flavor profile, infusing a burst of tanginess that perfectly complements the sweet, cinnamon-kissed apples. It’s a delightful departure from tradition that never fails to delight taste buds and create new memories around the table.
Thinly sliced apples combine with fresh cranberries and sugar create a comforting and refreshing pie filling. Top it off with a flaky crust, and you have the perfect dessert ready for Thanksgiving or Christmas!
If you are more of a purist, you can make a simple apple pie, but this recipe really is perfect for any holiday or get-together. Sweet, simple, and juicy this apple cranberry pie recipe is one for the books!
Why Make This Recipe
- Sweet – Apples, brown sugar, and cinnamon make for a sweet and cozy dessert!
- Simple – Slicing apples and laying crust is so easy that anyone can make this pie!
- Juicy – Juicy apples plus juicy cranberries equals one juicy pie!!
If you love dessert, be sure to check out all of my dessert recipes that will satisfy your sweet tooth.
Ingredient Notes
- Pie crusts – You can certainly make your favorite homemade pie crust recipe or take a shortcut and use store-bought refrigerated pie crust dough!
- Apples – Stick with your favorite kind of apple or use a mix of apples for better flavor. Granny Apple, Gala, and Pink Lady are favorites.
- Cranberries – Fresh cranberries work great, but they freeze beautifully, and you can easily use them directly from the freezer.
- Cornstarch – Cornstarch helps the filling to thicken and set.
- Brown sugar – Brown sugar has a deep sweetness that compliments the tart of the apples.
- Cinnamon – Nothing says apple pie like ground cinnamon and brown sugar!
- Lemon juice – Lemon juice helps to keep the apples from browning. You can use fresh or bottled lemon juice.
Handy Tip: Use Good Kitchen Tools!
For the best tools to help make your recipe even easier and more successful, check out my collection of the Best Kitchen Tools on Amazon.
How To Make Apple Cranberry Pie
Get complete ingredients list and instructions from the recipe card further below.
Step 1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F / 200 degrees C. Grease the pie baking dish and carefully place one pie crust in the bottom, leaving the edge around.
Step 2. In a large bowl, combine apples, cranberries, cornstarch, sugar, cinnamon and lemon juice. Place on top of the pie crust.
Step 3. Cut the second crust into 2-inch strips with a sharp knife or pastry wheel.
Step 4. Braid the strips over the cranberry apple filling. Roll the edges around the pie dish and press with a fork.
Step 5. Brush the braided top crust with egg or milk wash and sprinkle with brown sugar.
Step 6. Place in the middle of the oven and bake for 30 minutes or until golden brown. Allow to cool down before slicing and serving.
Pro Tips
- Opt for firm, tart apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp to balance the sweetness of the cranberries.
- Using a mix of apples can add flavor.
- Precooking the apple and cranberry filling slightly on the stovetop can help release excess moisture and ensure a perfectly thickened filling.
- If using a frozen pie crust, bring it to room temperature before rolling it out.
- Fresh or frozen cranberries provide the best flavor and texture. Dried or canned cranberries are not recommended.
- Placing the pie on a preheated foil-lined baking sheet can help ensure a crisp bottom crust and ensure easy cleanup.
- Serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Delicious Variations
- Spiced Apple Cranberry Pie – Add warming spices like allspice, nutmeg, and clove to the filling for an extra cozy flavor.
- Streusel Topping – Instead of crust, top your pie with a crunchy streusel made with oats, flour, brown sugar, and butter for added texture and flavor.
- Caramel Apple Cranberry Pie – Drizzle caramel sauce over the apple cranberry filling before adding the top crust for a sweeter twist.
Prep And Storage
- Prep Ahead – You can assemble the pie and refrigerate it until you’re ready to bake it. You can also cool it ahead of time and store it.
- Store – To store a pie, keep it at room temperature in an airtight container for 2 days or in the fridge for up to 5 days.
- Freeze – Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and then tin foil before freezing. If cooking from frozen, add a couple of minutes to the baking time.
- Reheat – Reheat in the microwave or in the oven as individual pieces until warm.
FAQs
To keep the crust from getting mushy, you can precook the apples and cranberries slightly to release excess moisture. Use something to thicken the filling, like flour or cornstarch. During baking, you can vent the crust to allow steam to escape by cutting slits or using a lattice crust.
Yes, you can use frozen cranberries instead of fresh to make this cranberry pie. To prevent extra moisture in the filling, be sure to thaw and drain the cranberries before using.
You can adjust the sweetness of the pie filling by varying the amount of sugar added to the filling mixture. Taste the filling before assembling the pie and adjust the sugar to your preference. You can also balance the sweetness with a splash of lemon juice to enhance the flavors.
Yes, you can make a gluten-free version of apple cranberry pie by using a gluten-free pie crust or making your own using gluten-free flour blends. Ensure that all other ingredients, including thickening agents like cornstarch or tapioca flour, are also gluten-free.
Similar Recipes
Looking for more EASY, delicious, and flavorful recipes? I’ve got you covered. Check out my full collection of desserts, or start a few of my most popular recipes:
More Cranberry Recipes You May Like
- Cranberry Chicken Salad.
- Cranberry Mimosa Cocktail.
- Broccoli Cranberry Salad.
- Instant Pot Cranberry Sauce.
Serving Suggestions
- Top with a scoop of Ninja Creami Vanilla Ice Cream for delicious pie a la mode!
- This is the perfect dessert pairing for my Christmas Chicken.
- A slice of this pie and a mug of Crockpot Hot Chocolate is a classic seasonal treat.
Recommended Tools
- A large mixing bowl to easily combine ingredients.
- Sharp knives are a must for even slicing.
- A quality set of spices for adding great flavor.
- For the best tools to help make your recipe even easier and more successful, check out my collection of the Best Kitchen Tools on Amazon.
More Dessert Recipes
Be sure to try more of my delicious dessert recipes!
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Apple Cranberry Pie
Ingredients
- 2 pie crusts 12-inch; store-bought or homemade
- 2 apples cored, peeled and cut in big wedges
- 9 ounces (250g) cranberries
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- ½ cup (105g) brown sugar plus more to sprinkle
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400 F / 200 C for 15-20 minutes. Grease the pie baking dish and lay the pie crust carefully. Leave the edge around.
- In a large bowl, combine apples, cranberries, cornstarch, sugar, cinnamon and lemon juice. Place on the pie crust.
- Cut the second crust in 2-inch strips with a sharp knife or pastry wheel and braid over the cranberry apple filling. Roll the edge around the pie dish and press with a fork.
- Brush with egg or milk wash. Sprinkle some more brown sugar on top. Place in the middle of the oven and bake for 30 minutes.
Video
Notes
- Opt for firm, tart apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp to balance the sweetness of the cranberries.
- Using a mix of apples can add flavor.
- Precooking the apple and cranberry filling slightly on the stovetop can help release excess moisture and ensure a perfectly thickened filling.
- If using a frozen pie crust, bring to to room temperature before rolling out.
- Fresh or frozen cranberries provide the best flavor and texture. Dried or canned cranberries are not recommended.
- Placing the pie on a preheated baking sheet can help ensure a crisp bottom crust.
- Storage – keep in an airtight container at room temperature for 2 days, or store in the fridge for up to 5 days.
