Apple Cranberry Pie Cook's Illustrated

This Apple Cranberry Pie from Cook's Illustrated is a festive twist on the classic apple pie, combining tart cranberries with sweet, tender Granny Smith apples for a perfectly balanced filling. Encased in an ultra-flaky, buttery crust made from a unique blend of cold butter and shortening, this pie is infused with warm spices like cinnamon and allspice, and brightened with a splash of fresh lemon juice. The top crust is brushed with a golden egg wash and sprinkled with sugar for a sparkling, crisp finish. Perfect for holiday gatherings or a cozy fall dessert, this pie is a show-stopper that pairs beautifully with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Its tried-and-tested techniques ensure success, making it an essential addition to any pie lover's repertoire.

Nutriscore Rating: 56/100

Prep Time:45 mins

Cook Time:65 mins

Total Time:110 mins

Servings: 8

Ingredients

• 2.5 cups All-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons Granulated sugar
• 0.5 teaspoons Salt
• 16 tablespoons Unsalted butter (cold, cut into cubes)
• 6 tablespoons Vegetable shortening (cold)
• 6 tablespoons Ice water
• 6 Granny Smith apples (peeled, cored, and sliced 1/4-inch thick)
• 2 cups Fresh or frozen cranberries
• 0.5 cup Brown sugar (packed)
• 0.5 cup Granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon Ground cinnamon
• 0.25 teaspoons Ground allspice
• 0.25 teaspoons Salt
• 3 tablespoons Cornstarch
• 2 tablespoons Juice of 1 lemon
• 1 Egg (beaten with 1 tablespoon water for egg wash)
• 2 teaspoons Granulated sugar (for sprinkling on top)

Directions

Step 1

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the 2.5 cups of flour, 2 tablespoons of sugar, and 0.5 teaspoons of salt.

Step 2

Add the cold cubed butter and shortening. Using a pastry blender or your fingers, cut the fats into the dry ingredients until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs with some larger pieces.

Step 3

Gradually add the ice water, 1 tablespoon at a time, mixing just until the dough comes together. Divide the dough in half, shape each into a disk, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.

Step 4

Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Place a baking sheet on the center rack to preheat as well.

Step 5

In a large bowl, toss together the apple slices, cranberries, 0.5 cup of brown sugar, 0.5 cup of granulated sugar, cinnamon, allspice, 0.25 teaspoons of salt, cornstarch, and lemon juice. Mix until well combined and set aside.

Step 6

On a floured surface, roll out one disk of dough into a 12-inch circle. Fit the dough into a 9-inch pie plate, leaving overhang around the edges.

Step 7

Fill the pie shell with the apple-cranberry mixture, mounding it slightly in the center.

Step 8

Roll out the second disk of dough into a 12-inch circle. Drape it over the filling. Trim excess dough, leaving about 1 inch of overhang. Tuck the edges under and crimp to seal.

Step 9

Cut 4-5 small slits in the top crust to allow steam to escape. Brush the top with the egg wash and sprinkle with 2 teaspoons of sugar.

Step 10

Place the pie on the preheated baking sheet and bake for 25 minutes at 425°F. Lower the temperature to 375°F (190°C) and bake for an additional 40 minutes, or until the crust is golden and the filling is bubbling.

Step 11

Remove the pie from the oven and let it cool on a wire rack for at least 2 hours before slicing and serving.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2037.9g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	4941.1

Total Fat 269.2g	0%
Saturated Fat 137.5g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat g
Cholesterol 688.1mg	0%
Sodium 1911.5mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 613.4g	0%
Dietary Fiber 38.8g	0%
Total Sugars 302.3g
Protein 43.4g	0%

Vitamin D 186.1IU	0%
Calcium 316.8mg	0%
Iron 17.8mg	0%
Potassium 1608.0mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 48.0%

Protein: 3.4%

Carbs: 48.6%