Nantucket Cranberry Pie
No pie crust. It’s more of a different-style cake that is baked in a pie dish.
The Nantucket Christmas Cranberry Pie (sometimes just called ‘cranberry crunch’ or ‘cranberry cake-pie’ on Cape Cod and the islands) came from the New England area in the 1950s and 1960s – Nantucket, Martha’s Vineyard, and the South Shore. In other words, the wealthy elite. For many of them even today, the pie still says ‘home for Christmas’ more than gingerbread, Xmas cake or fruitcake does.
*** Important Note – Do NOT stir or mix the layers before baking. Just scatter the berries and nuts, sprinkle the sugar, and spoon the batter on top. The magic happens in the oven as the butter and sugar sink and caramelize underneath while the batter rises above. Disturbing the order gives you a regular cake instead of that signature crunchy bottom that the Nantucket Pie has.
Nantucket Christmas Cranberry Pie
Recipe by Cranby
Servings
8
Slices
Prep time
20
Minutes
Cooking time
40-50
Minutes
Type
Pie-Cake
Nantucket
Directions
- -Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 9-inch pie dish.
- -Spread cranberries and pecans in the dish; sprinkle with 3/4 cup sugar.
- -Beat eggs with remaining 1/2 cup sugar until thick. Fold in flour, melted butter, and almond extract to form a batter.
- -Pour batter over fruit; bake 40-45 minutes until golden and set. Cool before slicing.
- -Dust with powdered sugar for a snowy effect (optional).
- Enjoy 👩🏻🍳
I’ve written out some of the more common questions people have about this recipe, as well as some tips and just general notes:
Nantucket Christmas Cranberry Pie
Essential Notes & FAQs
| Most Important Rule |
DO NOT stir or mix the layers before baking. Just scatter berries + nuts → sprinkle sugar → pour batter on top. |
| Best pan |
9-inch glass or ceramic pie plate, generously buttered. Metal works but glass gives the nicest caramelized edge. |
| Frozen cranberries? |
Yes, use straight from the freezer, no need to thaw. Adds 3–5 extra minutes bake time. |
| Can I reduce the sugar? |
You can drop the top-layer sugar to ¾ cup, but don’t touch the ½ cup that goes directly on the berries — it’s what creates the jammy, caramelized bottom. |
| Nut substitutions |
Pecans (classic), walnuts, almonds, or hazelnuts all work. If allergic, just add an extra ¼ cup cranberries. |
| Make-ahead & storage |
Even better the next day. Keeps 3–4 days at room temp (covered) or 1 week in the fridge. Reheat slices 10–15 sec in microwave. |
| Serving temperature |
Warm, with vanilla ice cream or lightly whipped cream. Room temp is traditional at New England potlucks. |
| Why almond extract? |
It’s the signature old Nantucket touch. Vanilla is fine, but almond is truer to the original recipe. |
The crunchy, caramelized bottom + tart berries + tender cake top = pure Nantucket Cape Cod Christmas.
Common Variations
The above recipe is the most basic and most common when people make the Nantucket Pie. But many of us like things the way we like them, so we make changes, swap this for that, and add other ingredients we think would make it better. Below are some of the more common varieties people like to make.
Most Loved Variations of Nantucket Christmas Cranberry Pie
 Orange Zest |
Orange–Almond (Most Popular Upgrade)
Add finely grated zest of 1 large orange + 1 Tbsp fresh orange juice to the batter. Increase almond extract to 1½ tsp. The citrus brightens the cranberries. Many Nantucket families swear this is the “true” version. |
 Pecan |
Bourbon-Pecan (Grown-Up Holiday Version)
Swap pecans for toasted pecans. Replace 2 Tbsp of the melted butter with 2 Tbsp good bourbon (or dark rum). Adds a warm, caramel depth for Christmas night. |
 Macadamia |
Coconut-Macadamia (Tropical Christmas Twist)
Replace nuts with ½ cup toasted macadamias + ⅓ cup sweetened shredded coconut sprinkled with the berries. Use coconut extract instead of almond. |
 Cocoa |
Dark Chocolate–Hazelnut (Decadent Modern Take)
Use toasted hazelnuts. Fold ½ cup chopped dark chocolate (70%) into the batter. Dust finished pie with cocoa powder instead of powdered sugar. |
All variations keep the sacred “do-not-stir” rule — always remember this!
Happy Holidays!
– Cranby
