Apple Cranberry Christmas Pie

One of the family favorites, this recipe is often requested during the holidays.

Christmas Apple Cranberry Pie

Ingredients:

• 1 package of store-bought refrigerated pie crusts (2 crusts)
• 4 cups peeled, cored, and sliced apples (such as Granny Smith or Honeycrisp)
• 1 cup fresh or frozen cranberries
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup brown sugar, packed
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
• 1 egg (for egg wash)
• Optional: Vanilla ice cream or whipped cream for serving

Instructions:

• Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).
• Allow the refrigerated pie crusts to come to room temperature as per the package instructions. Unroll one pie crust and place it into a 9-inch pie dish, pressing it gently into the bottom and along the sides.

In a large mixing bowl, combine the sliced apples, cranberries, granulated sugar, brown sugar, flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, and lemon juice. Toss the mixture until the fruit is evenly coated with the sugar and spices.

• Pour the apple and cranberry mixture into the prepared pie crust, spreading it out evenly. Dot the top of the filling with small pieces of unsalted butter.

• Unroll the second pie crust and place it over the fruit filling. Trim the excess edges, leaving about a 1/2-inch overhang. Press the edges of the top and bottom crusts together to seal.

• Use your fingers or a fork to crimp the edges of the pie crust, creating a decorative border.

• Cut a few small slits in the top crust to allow steam to escape during baking. You can create a simple design or make small, straight slits.

• In a small bowl, beat the egg. Brush the top of the pie crust with the beaten egg to give it a shiny, golden finish when baked.

• Place the pie in the preheated oven and bake for 45-50 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown, and the filling is bubbling. If the edges of the crust begin to brown too quickly, you can cover them with aluminum foil.

• Allow the pie to cool for at least 2 hours before serving. This allows the juices to set, making it easier to slice. Serve the pie on its own or with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream.

• Slice and enjoy the deliciousness of this easy Cranberry Apple Pie, perfect for any holiday gathering or a cozy dessert night at home.

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Old Time Christmas Cran-Apple Pie

The Story of this Pie

It tastes better when you know it’s history 🙂

Get a Room!

The melding of cranberries and apples in pies is a culinary marriage that likely evolved organically as bakers sought to create festive treats with their ingredients on hand. The combination offered a harmonious balance, each fruit complementing the other in a symphony of flavors. The pie’s vibrant red hue, thanks to the cranberries, added a visual pop to holiday dessert tables, making it a natural choice for celebrations.

As early as the 19th century, recipes for pies featuring cranberries and apples started appearing in cookbooks, marking the beginning of what would become a timeless holiday tradition. Bakers, ever the creative souls, experimented with spice profiles, sweeteners, and crust variations, each iteration adding its own unique touch to the evolving recipe.

Seasonal Symbolism

Cranberry Apple Pie found its place in holiday celebrations not just for its delightful taste but also for the symbolism embodied in its ingredients. Cranberries, with their bright red color, became emblematic of warmth and joy, while apples, often associated with orchards and harvest abundance, resonated with the spirit of giving thanks.

As holiday feasting traditions solidified in the United States, the Cranberry Apple Pie took its place alongside other seasonal classics like pumpkin and pecan pies. Its arrival on the holiday table became an anticipated moment, a sweet heralding of the festivities to come.

Now

The advent of refrigerated and frozen pie crusts played a crucial role in simplifying the pie-making process, turning this once labor-intensive dish into an accessible and stress-free holiday delight. As the pie became more approachable, it solidified its status as a holiday favorite, just like it’s cousin, cranberry punch, ensuring that even those without extensive baking skills could contribute a homemade touch to the festive spread.

Bakers now-a-days love experimenting with different apple varieties, adding spices like cardamom and ginger, and even incorporating a variety of crust options, from traditional to gluten-free. The internet has become a virtual sharing space for pie enthusiasts, showcasing both traditional renditions and avant-garde interpretations of the beloved Cranberry Apple Pie.

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– Cranby

Happy Holidays!

Happy Holidays