Cranberry Apple Pie
A delightful blend of tart cranberries and sweet apples baked in a flaky pastry, topped with butter and optional brandy topper—perfect for festive occasions or cozy desserts.
Ingredients
Instructions
- In a saucepan, combine cranberries and apple cider; cook and stir until cranberries pop (about 5 to 8 minutes).
- Combine sugar, cornstarch, and mace; stir into the hot cranberries.
- Cook quickly, stirring constantly, until mixture thickens; remove from heat.
- Stir in sliced apples and set aside to cool.
- Meanwhile, prepare basic pastry dough and line a 9-inch pie plate with half of the dough.
- Turn the cranberry-apple mixture into the pastry-lined pie plate.
- Dot the filling with butter.
- Roll out the remaining pastry and cover the pie, sealing the edges.
- Cover the edge of the pastry with foil to prevent over-browning.
- Bake in a 375°F oven for 30 minutes.
- Remove foil and bake for an additional 25 minutes or until crust is golden brown.
- Cool on a wire rack and optionally top with a fluffy brandy topper before serving.
Tips & Substitutions
To enhance flavor, consider adding a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg along with the mace. If fresh cranberries are unavailable, frozen ones work well but may require slightly longer cooking time. For a gluten-free option, use a gluten-free pastry dough. Also, ensure the apples are tart varieties like Granny Smith for a balanced sweetness.
Serving Suggestions
Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream for a delightful contrast. It pairs beautifully with Holiday Jam Cake for a festive dessert spread. For a more savory meal, consider serving it alongside a light salad or charcuterie board.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, place slices in a preheated oven at 350°F for about 10-15 minutes until warmed through. This helps retain the crust's crispness while keeping the filling deliciously warm.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Cranberry Apple Pie contains roughly 231 calories, with 1g protein, 57g carbohydrates, and 2g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin C (42% of the Daily Value), and a good source of dietary fiber. It also contributes 4g of dietary fiber toward your daily target.
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use other fruits in this pie?
Absolutely! You can substitute some of the apples with pears or berries for a different flavor profile. Just ensure the total fruit volume remains the same for optimal filling consistency.
What can I do if the pie crust is too soggy?
If your crust turns out soggy, try pre-baking it for a few minutes before adding the filling. This helps set the crust and prevent moisture from the filling from making it soggy.
How can I make the pie less sweet?
To reduce sweetness, cut down on the sugar in the filling by 1/4 cup and balance it with a bit of lemon juice for acidity. This will enhance the natural tartness of the cranberries.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).