Cranberry Apple Pie with Streusel

Introduction

Cranberry Apple Pie with Streusel is a festive, cozy dessert that combines the sweetness of apples with the tartness of cranberries, all nestled in a flaky pie crust and topped with a buttery, crunchy streusel topping. It’s a twist on the classic apple pie, with the cranberries adding a jewel-like burst of flavor and color that makes this pie as beautiful as it is delicious.

This pie is perfect for the holiday season, autumn gatherings, or whenever you want to impress your guests with a dessert that feels both rustic and elegant. The streusel topping not only adds texture but also saves time compared to a traditional double-crust pie.

❤️ Why I Love This Recipe

I love this recipe because it’s comforting and festive at the same time. The apples bring that familiar cozy sweetness, while the cranberries cut through with a tart, refreshing zing that balances everything beautifully. The streusel topping is buttery, crumbly, and caramelizes slightly as it bakes, making every bite irresistible.

It’s also versatile — you can serve it warm with ice cream, at room temperature with whipped cream, or even slightly chilled. Plus, it’s easier to make than a traditional pie but looks just as impressive.

Why It’s a Must-Try Dish

• A delightful balance of sweet apples and tart cranberries.
• Buttery streusel topping makes it extra special.
• Perfect for holidays, Thanksgiving, or cozy winter nights.
• Simpler than a lattice-topped pie but equally beautiful.
• Always a crowd-pleaser with family and friends.

Recipe Details

• Preparation Time: 25 minutes
• Cooking Time: 55 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
• Servings: 8 slices
• Calories: ~360–390 per serving
• Cuisine: American
• Course: Dessert

Ingredients

For the Pie Filling:

• 1 unbaked 9-inch pie crust (homemade or store-bought)
• 4 medium apples (Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Fuji), peeled, cored, and sliced thin
• 1 ½ cups fresh or frozen cranberries
• ¾ cup granulated sugar
• 2 tbsp all-purpose flour (to thicken filling)
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

For the Streusel Topping:

• ¾ cup all-purpose flour
• ½ cup packed light brown sugar
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 6 tbsp unsalted butter, cold and cubed

Simple Cooking Directions

1. Prepare pie crust in pie dish.
2. Toss apples and cranberries with sugar, flour, lemon juice, and spices.
3. Pour filling into crust.
4. Make streusel topping and sprinkle evenly over filling.
5. Bake until golden and bubbly.

Step-by-Step Preparation

Step 1: Preheat Oven

• Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
• Place rack in center of oven.

Step 2: Prepare the Pie Crust

• Roll out pie crust and fit into a 9-inch pie dish.
• Trim excess and flute edges if desired.

Step 3: Make the Filling

1. In a large mixing bowl, combine sliced apples, cranberries, sugar, flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, lemon juice, and vanilla.
2. Toss well to coat evenly.
3. Transfer filling into prepared pie crust.

Step 4: Make the Streusel Topping

• In a separate bowl, mix flour, brown sugar, and cinnamon.
• Cut in cold butter with a pastry cutter or fork until mixture forms coarse crumbs.

Step 5: Assemble

• Sprinkle streusel topping evenly over the apple-cranberry filling.

Step 6: Bake

• Place pie on a baking sheet (to catch drips).
• Bake for 50–55 minutes, until topping is golden brown and filling is bubbly.
• If topping browns too quickly, cover loosely with foil.

Step 7: Cool & Serve

• Cool pie for at least 2 hours before slicing to let filling set.

How to Serve

• Serve warm with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.
• Add a drizzle of caramel sauce for extra indulgence.
• Pair with coffee, tea, or mulled cider for a cozy touch.

Additional Recipe Tips

• Use a mix of tart and sweet apples for best flavor.
• If using frozen cranberries, do not thaw before adding.
• Keep butter very cold for the best crumbly streusel texture.
• Place foil around pie edges halfway through baking if crust browns too fast.

Variations

• Nutty Streusel: Add ½ cup chopped pecans or walnuts to topping.
• Cranberry-Only Pie: Increase cranberries to 3 cups and reduce apples to 2.
• Caramel Twist: Drizzle caramel sauce over filling before adding streusel.
• Gluten-Free: Substitute gluten-free flour blend in both filling and topping.

Freezing & Storage

• Storage: Store at room temperature for 1 day, then refrigerate up to 4 days.
• Freezing (Baked): Cool completely, wrap in foil, and freeze up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in fridge and reheat at 300°F (150°C).
• Freezing (Unbaked): Assemble pie without baking, wrap tightly, and freeze up to 2 months. Bake from frozen, adding 10–15 minutes to baking time.

Special Equipment Needed

• 9-inch pie dish
• Mixing bowls (large and medium)
• Pastry cutter or fork (for streusel)
• Baking sheet (to catch drips)

Conclusion

Cranberry Apple Pie with Streusel is a festive twist on a classic dessert — cozy, tart, sweet, and perfectly crunchy on top. It’s a must-have on holiday tables, but it’s also easy enough to bake on a regular weekend when you want something special. With its warm spice, juicy fruit, and buttery topping, this pie is the definition of comfort and celebration in every slice.