Apple Cranberry Pie Recipe to Bake This Season

Apple cranberry pie combines two beloved fruits in one stunning dessert that feels right at home during cool weather gatherings.

The balance of sweet and tart flavors creates a profile that appeals to anyone who loves classic comfort baking with a slight twist.

This combination works beautifully for holiday tables, weekend dinners, or any occasion that calls for something special from the oven.

The colors alone make it visually appealing, while the taste keeps people coming back for another slice.

If you love traditional pies but want something a bit different, this option hits all the right notes without being overly complicated.

It pairs well with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream, though it stands strong on its own too.

Make room on the dessert menu because this pie deserves a spot at every gathering.

What Sets Apple Cranberry Pie Apart

• Simple Seasonal Delight: This apple cranberry pie captures the cozy holiday spirit with zero complicated techniques that would stress your cooking skills.
• Family-Friendly Flavor: Mixing sweet apples and tart cranberries creates a crowd-pleasing dessert perfect for gathering relatives around the table and making memories.
• Make-Ahead Magic: The recipe allows prepping the crust and crumble topping in advance, giving you flexibility when planning your holiday meal without last-minute kitchen chaos.
• Pantry-Friendly Recipe: Most ingredients are common kitchen staples, so chances are good you already have everything needed to create this delicious seasonal treat without extra shopping.

Ingredients Used in Apple Cranberry Pie

• Apple Slices (6 cups): Fresh, crisp apples create the heart of this holiday pie. Peeling and coring 5 large apples will give you the perfect fruity foundation.
• Fresh Cranberries (1 ¼ cups): Tart cranberries add a bright, festive punch that balances the sweet apples beautifully.
• Unbaked Flaky Pie Crust (1): The delicate base that holds all the delicious filling together.

• Brown Sugar (1 cup): Packed light or dark sugar brings deep, rich sweetness to your pie.
• All-Purpose Flour (¾ cup): Helps thicken the filling and create a perfect texture.

• Ground Cinnamon (1 ½ teaspoons), Ground Allspice (¼ teaspoon), Ground Nutmeg (¼ teaspoon): Warming spices that bring classic holiday flavor to every bite.
• Unsalted Butter (5 tablespoons): Very cold and cubed butter adds richness and flakiness to the topping.
• Orange Zest (½ teaspoon): A bright, citrusy note that lifts the entire flavor profile.
• Old-Fashioned Whole Rolled Oats (½ cup): Adds delightful texture to the pie topping.
• Egg Wash: Large Egg (1), Milk (1 tablespoon): Creates a golden, shiny finish on the pie crust.

Kitchen Tools Overview for Apple Cranberry Pie

• 9-inch Pie Dish: Your go-to container for creating the perfect pie shape and ensuring even baking.
• Rolling Pin (10-12 inches): Essential for rolling out your pie crust to a smooth, even 12-inch circle.
• Large Mixing Bowl (4-quart): Perfectly sized for tossing your apple and cranberry filling with spices.
• Zester or Grater: Helps you create delicate orange zest that adds bright flavor to your filling.
• Sharp Chef’s Knife (8-inch): Great for slicing apples into uniform, thin pieces.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Precise tools to get your ingredient proportions just right.
• Pastry Brush: Used for applying egg wash to create a golden, glossy pie crust.
• Pie Crust Shield or Aluminum Foil: Protects your pie edges from burning during the longer baking time.
• Baking Sheet: Placed on the bottom rack to catch any potential drips and help with even baking.
• Cooling Rack: Allows air circulation to help your pie cool evenly and maintain its crisp crust.

How to Prepare Apple Cranberry Pie

What Are the Best Tips for Apple Cranberry Pie

• Refrigerate your pie dough for at least an hour to make it easier to roll and prevent shrinking during baking.
• Make the topping ahead of time and keep it cold in the refrigerator for better texture and easier assembly.
• Toss your apple and cranberry mixture gently to coat each piece evenly with spices without breaking the fruit.
• Protect your pie’s edges with aluminum foil or a crust shield to prevent over-browning during the longer baking time.
• Let the pie rest for several hours so the filling sets and becomes sliceable without falling apart.

Flexible Options for Apple Cranberry Pie

• Gluten-Free Adaptation: Replace regular flour with gluten-free flour blend in both crust and crumble, ensuring your friends with celiac can enjoy this festive treat.
• Vegan Version: Swap butter for coconut oil, use plant-based egg wash substitute, and select dairy-free alternatives to create a compassionate dessert.
• Reduced Sugar Option: Cut brown sugar by half and add mashed ripe banana or unsweetened applesauce to maintain moisture and natural sweetness.
• Nutty Crunch Variation: Replace half the oats with chopped pecans or almonds in the crumble for extra texture and rich, toasted flavor.

How to Serve Apple Cranberry Pie

• Slice with Precision: Cut clean, sharp pieces after the pie has cooled completely, using a warm knife for smooth slices that showcase the beautiful layers.
• Serve Temperature Perfect: Enjoy this pie slightly warm or at room temperature, which lets the fruit flavors shine and the crumble stay delightfully crisp.
• Pair with Creamy Companions: Top each slice with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream to balance the pie’s tart and sweet notes.
• Store Smart: Keep your pie covered at room temperature for a day, or refrigerate for up to five days to maintain its delicious texture and flavor.

Best Way To Store Apple Cranberry Pie

• Refrigerator Storage: Wrap your apple cranberry pie loosely in plastic wrap or aluminum foil and store it in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. The cool temperature will help maintain the texture and flavor.
• Countertop Keeping: If enjoying within a day, leave the pie covered at room temperature on your kitchen counter. The pie will stay fresh and taste just as delicious as when first baked.
• Freezing Option: Slice the pie into individual portions, wrap each tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Frozen pie will keep perfectly for 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.
• Reheating Trick: Warm individual slices in the oven at 350°F for 10-15 minutes to restore that fresh-from-the-oven crispness to the crust and bring out the warm spices.

Apple Cranberry Pie Popular Questions Answered

Apple Cranberry Pie Recipe

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4.9 from 9 reviews

• Total Time: 4 hours 45 minutes
• Yield: 8 to 10 1x

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Description

Cranberry Apple Pie brings festive comfort straight from Grandma’s kitchen to your holiday table. Warm spices and sweet-tart flavors blend perfectly in this classic dessert that feels like a cozy winter hug.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 6 cups apple slices (about 5 large peeled and cored apples)
• 1 ¼ cups fresh or frozen cranberries
• 1 unbaked flaky pie crust

Sweeteners and Binding Agents:

• 1 cup packed light or dark brown sugar
• ½ cup all-purpose flour
• ¼ cup all-purpose flour

Spices and Enhancements:

• 1 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 5 tablespoons unsalted butter (very cold and cubed)
• ½ teaspoon orange zest
• ½ cup old-fashioned whole rolled oats
• ¼ teaspoon ground allspice
• ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1 large egg (for egg wash)
• 1 tablespoon milk (for egg wash)

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Instructions

1. Roll your refrigerated pie dough into a 12-inch circle, carefully transferring it to a 9-inch pie dish. Create decorative crimped edges around the rim.
2. Brush the entire crust surface with egg wash made from 1 large egg and 1 tablespoon milk. Return the prepared crust to the refrigerator for 10 minutes.
3. Combine ½ cup brown sugar, 6 tablespoons flour, and ½ teaspoon cinnamon in a mixing bowl. Cut 5 tablespoons very cold butter into small cubes and work it into the dry ingredients until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
4. Mix in ½ cup rolled oats to the crumble topping. Place the mixture in the refrigerator to keep it chilled.
5. Peel and slice 5 large apples into ¼-inch thick pieces, measuring out 6 cups of fruit. Toss the apple slices with 1 and ¼ cups fresh cranberries.
6. Add ½ cup brown sugar, ¼ cup flour, ½ teaspoon orange zest, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, ¼ teaspoon allspice, and ¼ teaspoon nutmeg to the fruit. Gently stir to coat every piece.
7. Preheat your oven to 400°F and position a baking sheet on the bottom rack to catch any potential drips.
8. Transfer the fruit mixture into the prepared pie crust, spreading it evenly. Sprinkle the reserved crumble topping across the entire surface.
9. Bake the pie for 20 minutes at 400°F, then reduce the temperature to 375°F. Continue baking for 35-40 minutes, using a pie crust shield to protect the edges from burning.
10. Remove the pie from the oven and allow it to cool completely for at least 3 hours. This resting time helps the filling set properly.

Notes

• Chill the pie crust and crumble topping thoroughly to ensure a flaky, crisp texture that won’t become soggy.
• Toss apple slices with a bit of lemon juice to prevent browning and add a subtle brightness to the filling.
• Use a mix of tart and sweet apple varieties like Granny Smith and Honeycrisp for complex flavor and perfect texture.
• Place a baking sheet on the bottom rack to catch any drips and help create a crisp bottom crust that won’t get soggy.

• Prep Time: 45 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour
• Category: Tarts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8 to 10
• Calories: 232 kcal
• Sugar: 21 g
• Sodium: 98 mg
• Fat: 9 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 38 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 28 mg