French Apple Cranberry Pie – A Delightful Blend of Tart Cranberries and Sweet Apples

Looking for the perfect pie to serve at your next gathering or holiday dinner? Look no further than this French Apple Cranberry Pie! Combining the sweetness of apples and the tartness of cranberries with a buttery crumble topping, this pie delivers a mouthful of cozy, comforting flavors with each bite. Whether served warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or enjoyed cold with whipped cream, this pie will quickly become a family favorite.

Scroll to the bottom for recipe!

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The Inspiration Behind French Apple Cranberry Pie

Apples and cranberries are a match made in pie heaven. The tartness of the cranberries balances perfectly with the natural sweetness of the apples, making each bite a symphony of fall flavors. This pie brings the best of both fruits together with a delicious crumble topping that adds a satisfying crunch. The buttery pie crust holds everything together, ensuring a dessert that's not only beautiful but irresistible. Perfect for holiday gatherings or cozy weekends, this pie will warm your heart and soul.

Why French Apple Cranberry Pie Will Become a Dessert Staple in Your Kitchen

This pie is the ultimate crowd-pleaser with its combination of flavors and textures. The tart cranberries and sweet apples paired with the buttery crust and crispy crumble topping make for a well-rounded and perfectly balanced dessert. Plus, it’s versatile—you can serve it warm or cold, making it ideal for any season or occasion. You’ll also love how simple it is to make. Even beginners can whip up this pie, and it’s sure to impress family and friends with its rustic, homey charm.

Nutritional Information (Per Slice, Based on 8 Slices):

• Calories: 380 kcal
• Fat: 18g
• Carbohydrates: 55g
• Protein: 3g
• Sugar: 35g
• Fiber: 3g
• Sodium: 200mg

This pie is rich and indulgent, yet the inclusion of fruit gives it a wholesome feel. Serve it as is, or dress it up with a scoop of ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream!

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Serving Suggestions and Pairings

French Apple Cranberry Pie is best served warm from the oven, with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a generous dollop of whipped cream on top. The warm, gooey apple-cranberry filling combined with the creamy cold ice cream is the ultimate fall dessert experience. For a more elegant presentation, garnish with a few whole cranberries or a drizzle of caramel sauce. And don’t forget the coffee—a freshly brewed cup of coffee or spiced apple cider is the perfect companion to this pie!

Storage and Reheating Tips

If you have leftovers (though it’s hard to imagine!), you can store this pie in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. If you prefer to refrigerate it, it will last for up to 5 days in the fridge. To reheat, simply pop a slice in the microwave for 20-30 seconds, or warm the whole pie in the oven at 350°F for about 10 minutes. For longer storage, this pie freezes beautifully. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and then aluminum foil, and freeze for up to 2 months. When you’re ready to enjoy, thaw in the fridge overnight and reheat in the oven.

Fun Fact: The French Influence on Apple Pies

French apple pies are known for their use of simple, high-quality ingredients and rustic presentations. This particular pie combines that French sensibility with a North American twist by adding tart cranberries. The result is a pie that’s both familiar and unique—a perfect blend of French baking tradition and the harvest flavors we know and love in the fall.

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Cooking Tips

• Prevent Soggy Crust: To avoid a soggy crust, bake the crust for a few minutes before adding the filling. Docking (poking small holes) the crust also helps release steam.
• Crumble Perfection: Use cold butter when making the crumble topping for the perfect crispy texture. You can use your fingers or a fork to mix the butter into the dry ingredients until you get pea-sized pieces.
• Apple Variety: For a perfect balance of sweetness and tartness, use a mix of apple varieties like Granny Smith and Honeycrisp in your filling.

Optional Variations

• Nutty Crunch: Add some chopped pecans or walnuts to the crumble topping for a nutty crunch.
• Spice It Up: Mix in a pinch of ground cloves or allspice for an even warmer, spicier flavor profile.
• Dairy-Free: Use a dairy-free butter substitute and plant-based milk for a dairy-free version of this pie.

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French Apple Cranberry Pie Recipe

Crust:

• 1 pre-made pie crust (or homemade, if you prefer)

Filling:

• 4 cups apples, peeled and sliced (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp work great)
• 1 cup fresh or frozen cranberries
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• ¼ cup brown sugar, packed
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg

Crumble Topping:

• ½ cup all-purpose flour
• ¼ cup brown sugar, packed
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ¼ cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 450°F.
2. Place the pie crust into a 9-inch glass pie pan. Cinch the edges of the pie crust with a fork or create your desired shape.
3. Dock the pie crust by poking small holes in it with a fork. Bake the crust for 6-7 minutes, or until it starts to turn golden.
4. Remove the crust from the oven and reduce the temperature to 350°F.
5. For the filling, in a large bowl, gently mix together the apples, cranberries, and vanilla. Set aside.
6. In a separate bowl, whisk together the granulated sugar, flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Add the dry ingredients to the apple-cranberry mixture, tossing to coat the fruit evenly.
7. Pour the filling mixture into the partially baked pie crust and set aside while you prepare the crumble topping.
8. For the crumble topping, whisk together the flour, brown sugar, and cinnamon in a small bowl.
9. Add the cold cubed butter to the flour mixture and use your hands or a fork to mix until the butter pieces are pea-sized or smaller.
10. Sprinkle the crumble topping evenly over the fruit filling.
11. Bake for 50-55 minutes, or until the apples are tender and the topping is golden brown. If the edges of the pie crust begin to brown too quickly, cover the edges with aluminum foil.
12. Serve warm with whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

French Apple Cranberry Pie is the perfect combination of sweet, tart, and buttery flavors, making it the ideal dessert for fall or any special occasion. With a flaky crust, tender apples, tart cranberries, and a crumbly topping, this pie is sure to win over even the pickiest of eaters. Whether you’re serving it at a holiday dinner or enjoying it with a cup of coffee on a chilly day, this pie is guaranteed to become a beloved recipe in your collection!