Cranberry pie is one of my most-baked pies every fall and winter. I love the way the tart cranberries balance perfectly with a buttery crust and just the right amount of sweetness. If you’re looking for a festive dessert that stands out on the holiday table, try this recipe.
Contents
Cranberry Pie Recipe
Cranberry pie is a classic dessert with the balanced flavors of vibrant tartness and sweetness. Its filling often includes cranberries sweetened with sugar, a hint of orange juice or zest for freshness, and warm spices like cinnamon or ginger.
This pie features a traditional double crust, a lattice top, or can even be crustless. Some recipes finish the pie with a buttery streusel or a crisp lattice crust on top. It fits perfectly on the table at Thanksgiving, Christmas, or any winter meal.
The pie can be served warm with a generous scoop of vanilla ice cream or a cloud of lightly sweetened whipped cream. You can enjoy it with pumpkin cheesecake or a spiced apple crisp.
For a festive brunch, pair slices of cranberry pie with scrambled eggs or fluffy waffles. It also works well next to savory dishes like roasted turkey or a ham and cheese quiche.
For drink pairings, hot apple cider or a sparkling rosé wine make wonderful companions. Coffee and black tea are also great choices.
Here’s how to make the cranberry pie:
Cranberry Pie
Nutrition
Ingredients
- 1 unbaked 9-inch pie crust store-bought or homemade
- 3 cups fresh or frozen cranberries
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 tbsp cornstarch
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon optional
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter cut into small pieces
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- In a saucepan, combine cranberries, sugar, cornstarch, lemon juice, and cinnamon. Cook over medium heat until cranberries begin to burst and mixture thickens (5–7 minutes).
- Stir in vanilla extract and remove from heat.
- Pour cranberry mixture into pie crust. Dot with butter pieces.
- Cover with top crust or lattice, sealing edges. Cut small slits for steam.
- Bake 40–45 minutes, until crust is golden brown and filling is bubbling.
- Cool at least 2 hours before slicing.
Variations
From this recipe, you can create other cranberry pie versions to suit your taste. Here’re some suggestions to try:
- Cranberry-Apple Pie combines tart cranberries with sweet, tender apple slices for a well-rounded flavor and beautiful presentation.
- Streusel-Topped Cranberry Pie sprinkles a crumbly blend of butter, flour, nuts, and sugar on top for extra crunch and richness.
- No-Bake Version skips the oven, using a creamy cranberry filling set in a graham cracker or cookie crust and chilled until firm.
- Cranberry Custard Pie blends cranberries with a creamy custard base, all baked in a shortbread or pastry crust for added smoothness.
- Vegan Pie swaps in plant-based butter and non-dairy alternatives for a pie everyone at the table can enjoy.
- Spiced Cranberry Pie boosts the pie’s warmth by adding extra cinnamon, nutmeg, or ground ginger to the cranberry filling.
- Nutty Addition folds chopped pecans or walnuts into the filling or topping, adding flavor depth and texture.