Apple Cranberry Pie with Citrus Secret
A festive apple cranberry pie that balances cozy apple sweetness with tart, jewel-red cranberries. A splash of orange juice and zest brightens the filling, delivering a slice that’s flavorful, sliceable, and holiday-ready.
Equipment
- large mixing bowl
- 9-inch pie dish
- Rolling Pin
- pastry brush
- zester (optional)
- measuring cups and spoons
- cooling rack
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
- 1/2 cup ice water
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 5 cups apples (Granny Smith + Honeycrisp), peeled and sliced
- 2 cups fresh cranberries
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 tbsp orange juice
- 1 tsp orange zest
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
- 3 tbsp cornstarch
- 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)
Instructions
- Prepare the crust: Mix flour and salt, then cut in cold butter until crumbly. Add ice water just until dough comes together; divide, wrap, and chill 30 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
- In a large bowl, toss apples, cranberries, sugar, cornstarch, cinnamon, nutmeg, orange juice, and zest until evenly coated.
- Roll one dough disc and line a 9-inch pie dish. Add the fruit filling and mound slightly in the center.
- Top with second crust or lattice; crimp edges and cut vents if using a full top. Brush with egg wash.
- Bake 45–50 minutes until crust is golden and the filling is bubbling at the edges. Tent with foil if browning too quickly.
- Cool at least 1 hour before slicing to allow the filling to set.
Notes
Use a mix of firm tart (Granny Smith) and sweeter (Honeycrisp or Fuji) apples for structure and balanced flavor. Don’t oversweeten—let the cranberries shine. For a glossy, well-set filling, toss fruit with sugar, spices, and cornstarch before baking. Brush the crust with egg wash for golden shine. Make-ahead: assemble filling up to 1 day in advance, or freeze the whole unbaked pie up to 3 months and bake from frozen (add 15–20 minutes).
Nutrition
Calories: 320kcalCarbohydrates: 45gProtein: 4gFat: 15gSaturated Fat: 9gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 45mgSodium: 180mgPotassium: 170mgFiber: 4gSugar: 28gVitamin A: 350IUVitamin C: 6mgCalcium: 28mgIron: 1.2mg