This cranberry apple pie is one of my favorite desserts any time of the year. I stock up on fresh cranberries when they are in season and throw them in the freezer, pretty much just so I can use them to bake this pie and make cranberry orange bread. Cranberry apple pie is a surprising and refreshing twist on classic apple pie, especially if you enjoy sweet-tart desserts! I made this for my dad recently and he said it was quite possibly his favorite apple pie he’s ever eaten. I mean, he’s my dad, so you can take that with a grain of salt, but it really is a pretty darn delicious pie and it really stands out from the crowd. If you love cranberry season, be sure to also check out our Easy Cranberry Fluff Salad, White Chocolate Cranberry Cookies, and White Chocolate Cranberry Pecan Fudge.
Why This Recipe Works
A homemade lattice pie crust allows the pie to vent so it is juicy but sliceable. The tartness of the fresh cranberries is balanced with the sweet apples, warm cinnamon, and buttery pie crust. Everybody always expects regular old apple pie, so the cranberries add a lively twist!
Ingredient Notes
Apples: I like to use a combination of Golden Delicious, Pink Lady, and/or Granny Smith apples for this cranberry apple pie. But braeburn, honeycrisp, envy, and many other apple varieties will work well. Cranberries: You want fresh or frozen cranberries for this recipe for the best flavor. If using frozen, let them thaw first on the counter for a couple of hours. Pie Crust: When it comes to pie crust, I always, always use this perfect pie crust recipe. It’s actually great to make ahead of time and keep in the fridge for up to 5 days wrapped tightly in plastic. Or you can even freeze it and just let it thaw before rolling it out when you are ready to make your pies. Cornstarch: The recipe calls for cornstarch as the thickening agent. I think it’s just the right amount for a juicy pie that isn’t overly thickened, but if you have trouble with your pies frequently being runny you can even double the amount of cornstarch or add 2 tablespoons of flour to thicken things up. Keep in mind that some apples will be juicier than others and that can factor in as well.
How to Make This Recipe
Start by making the pie crust so it is nice and cold. I always use my favorite pie crust recipe and let it chill in the fridge for an hour before rolling it out so it is easy to work with and ends up nice and flakey. While the crust is chilling, make the pie filling by peeling and slicing the apples about 1/8-inch to 1/4-inch thick. Toss them in a large bowl with the cranberries, sugar, cornstarch, and cinnamon, then let the filling sit for 15 minutes to draw out some of the juices from the fruit. I have made the mistake of tossing the filling together and then immediately dumping it into the crust before, only to slice into a soupy pie that hasn’t set up at all. Letting the filling sit for a bit helps you know whether your fruit is extra juicy or not so you can either discard some of the liquid or add an extra tablespoon or two of flour or cornstarch to help thicken the pie. Roll out the bottom crust on a floured surface, then transfer it to a pie plate (affiliate link), leaving some of the crust hanging over the edges. Transfer the filling to the pie crust, discarding the juice if there is a lot of it. Dot the top of the filling with small pieces of butter. Roll out the second pie crust and use it to top the pie. You can either do a solid top crust with slits cut into the top for venting, or go for it with a lattice crust. Follow my step-by-step tutorial for how to make a lattice pie crust if you need a visual! Brush the top of your pie crust with an egg wash and sprinkle with some coarse turbinado or sanding sugar for sparkle, then bake until golden brown on top and the filling is bubbling. Cool for at least 3-4 hours before slicing.
Recipe Tips
Storage: A cranberry apple pie keeps well on the counter covered in an airtight container or plastic wrap for 3-4 days or in the fridge for 5-7 days. Freezing: You can freeze the baked or unbaked pie. If freezing baked pie, I recommend wrapping individual slices in a couple of layers of plastic wrap for easy thawing and reheating. If you want to assemble and freeze the unbaked pie, you can bake it from frozen without thawing first just by adding another 20-30 minutes to your bake time. Dutch version: This cranberry apple pie is also fantastic with a crumble topping instead of a regular pie crust. In fact, my husband prefers that version over this one. You can use the crumble topping from my Dutch Apple Pie, which is also included in the notes below.
More Pie Recipes
Easy Coconut Cream Pie From Scratch Old-Fashioned Banana Cream Pie Homemade Blackberry Pie Classic Southern Pecan Pie
This post was originally shared November 2017, but has been updated with new photos and more helpful tips. Let me know what you thought with a comment and rating below. You can also take a picture and tag me on Instagram @houseofnasheats or share it on the Pinterest pin so I can see.
