Amazing Cranberry Apple Pie
The ultimate pie for the holidays! With crisp apples, tart cranberries and a touch of cinnamon this cranberry apple pie will not disappoint!
Cranberry Apple Pie is definitely a favorite dessert in my family, especially at the holidays. My recipe is one I actually created when I was just 14 years old and with encouragement from my family I entered it in a baking competition at our State Fair. I was up against a lot of seasoned bakers and most of them had very elaborate displays. Meanwhile I was 14 and my grandmother and I showed up with my simple pie to enter it in the competition. Well, it turns out that displays mean nothing in a baking competition and it is all about taste and execution. I won the contest and took home a lot of prizes plus got to do the baking segment on the local news one day! It was my 5 minutes of fame for sure.
Ever since my winning entry at the fair Cranberry Apple Pie has become a huge favorite throughout my family and my husband's family as well. This pie combines ideas from a lot of different pie recipes to create the perfect mix of apples, cranberries and just a hint of cinnamon and sugar. It is definitely a perfect pie for enjoying throughout the fall and winter and will hands down be the most delicious dessert to serve on Thanksgiving and Christmas. Below I shared all of my step by step directions and tips along with a printable recipe. Hope you enjoy!
How to Make Cranberry Apple Pie...
Peel and Slice Apples; Wash Cranberries...
peeling skin off of apples
First, wash and peel the apples. Then remove the core and slice or chop (whatever size you desire) the apples. My favorite apple for baking is usually Granny Smith.
washing cranberries in the sink
Be sure to also wash the cranberries and remove any that are not good quality. If you cannot find fresh cranberries you could always use dried ones. Frozen ones may also work but they may make the pie filling runny.
Combine Sugar, Cornstarch and Cinnamon...
bowl of sugar mixture
Next, stir together the sugar, cornstarch and cinnamon in a medium bowl. I like to use a whisk to easily mix my dry ingredients together.
Mix together Apples, Cranberries and Corn Syrup...
pouring corn syrup in with apples
In a large bowl combine the chopped apples, cranberries and corn syrup. Be sure that the corn syrup thoroughly coats the fruit.
Next, Coat Fruit with Sugar Mix...
adding sugar mixture to apples and cranberries
prepared pie filling
Then add the sugar mixture into the apples and cranberries. Stir well to make sure all of the fruit is evenly coated. This will be the filling for the pie.
Spoon cranberry apple pie filling into unbaked pie crust...
scooping pie filling into crust
Next, place an unbaked pie crust into a pie pan, pressing the dough into the pie pan. I really like the store bought refrigerated pie crusts. They taste great and bake perfectly, plus save a lot of time for a busy mom like me.
Pour the apple cranberry filling into the pie crust. Spread out evenly.
Top with Second Pie Crust...
adding top crust to cranberry apple pie
The top crust needs small slits or a design cut into it to allow it to vent while baking. I love my pie crust cutter to create a design on my top crust- it's so easy! For this pie I used the adorable heart shaped cutter. It came out perfect!
unbaked pie with heart cut outs
I used some milk to help stick the small pie crust heart cut outs back onto the crust. Then I am always sure to flute or crimp the edges of the crust together to seal. You can do this with your fingers or using a tool like a fork.
Brush Top of Pie with Milk and Sprinkle with Sugar...
brushing pie top crust with milk
finished pie before going in oven
Brushing the top of the crust with milk and sprinkling sugar just helps the pie get a perfect golden brown crust! I have seen some people also use egg whites to brush on the top crust, but I have always used milk.
Bake the Pie...
finished cranberry apple pie
Finally, bake at 450 degrees for 10 minutes. Baking at this high temperature allows the fat in the crust to melt and creates steam which makes a flakier crust. After baking at the higher temperature reduce the temperature to 350 degrees and bake for an additional 40 minutes or until golden brown on the crust and the filling is bubbling.
You may want to put a pie shield on the edges of the crust or cover with foil to protect the edges of the crust from burning.
Enjoy a Perfect Cranberry Apple Pie!
slice of pie
slice of pie with apples in background
slice of pie next to whole pie
slice of cranberry apple pie
pie with ice cream
slice of pie with apples and pie in background
up close of pie and filling
Serve warm or cold! I love to serve with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream, but that's optional!
Cranberry Apple Pie
The ultimate pie for the holidays! With crisp apples, tart cranberries and a touch of cinnamon all wrapped in a delicious crust, this pie recipe will not disappoint!
3/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup cornstarch
1 tsp cinnamon
5 cups apples ((peeled and sliced))
1-2 cups cranberries ((fresh))
2 tbsp light corn syrup
2 9-inch pie crusts
1 tbsp milk
1 tbsp sugar
Preheat oven to 450 degrees.
Combine sugar, cornstarch and cinnamon in medium bowl until well mixed. Set aside.
Combine apples, cranberries and corn syrup in a large mixing bowl.
Add sugar mixture to apples; toss evenly to coat.
Spoon filling into unbaked pie crust.
Top with second pie crust. Cut slits or any design desired into top crust.
Brush top of pie with milk. Sprinkle with sugar.
Bake 10 minutes at 450 degrees.
Reduce heat to 350 degrees and bake an additional 40 minutes or until golden brown on crust and filling is bubbling.
Serve warm or cold.
