Nantucket Cranberry Pie is a bright, festive dessert that feels like a little celebration in every bite. Bursting with tart cranberries, crunchy nuts, and a delicately sweet, buttery crust, it’s the kind of effortlessly rustic pie that impresses without any fussy techniques. From Thanksgiving to weeknight dinners, this pie is your anytime ticket to a cozy, crowd-pleasing treat that looks as magical as it tastes.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe keeps it simple, letting each ingredient add its own touch of magic to the pie. With fresh cranberries bringing a burst of color and flavor, and a quick pantry batter that bakes into a golden top, every element plays an important role.
- Fresh Cranberries: The tartness pops through each bite and gives this pie its signature jewel-toned look.
- Chopped Walnuts or Pecans: Nuts add a wonderful crunch and earthy richness—choose your favorite or even mix it up.
- Granulated Sugar: You’ll use sugar twice: first to sweeten up the cranberry layer, and again in the batter for that classic pie sweetness.
- All-Purpose Flour: Keeps the batter simple, light, and able to hold all those cranberries together.
- Salt: Just a pinch sharpens all the flavors and balances the pie’s sweetness.
- Unsalted Butter (Melted): Gives the outside a subtle crisp while keeping the crumb tender and rich.
- Large Eggs: Eggs bind everything while adding a lovely golden hue to the top.
- Pure Vanilla Extract: For delicate warmth that complements both cranberries and nuts.
- Almond Extract (Optional): Just a touch boosts the fragrance—especially delicious if you use pecans or almonds inside.
How to Make Nantucket Cranberry Pie
Step 1: Prep Your Pan and Oven
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9-inch pie plate with butter or non-stick spray so the pie releases beautifully. This step ensures an easy slice and prevents sticking under all those juicy cranberries.
Step 2: Assemble the Cranberry-Nut Base
Scatter the fresh cranberries evenly across the bottom of your prepared pie plate, creating a vibrant foundation. Then sprinkle your chopped walnuts or pecans evenly over the cranberries, followed by 1/2 cup of sugar. This layer will bubble and caramelize as it bakes, infusing each bite with tart fruity flavor and nutty crunch.
Step 3: Mix the Batter
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, the remaining 1 cup of granulated sugar, and salt—you want it well combined, no lumps. In a separate bowl, lightly beat the two eggs, then add the melted (but slightly cooled!) butter, vanilla extract, and almond extract if you’re using it. Whisk until smooth and glossy, letting the extracts work their aromatic magic.
Step 4: Combine and Top
Add the dry flour mixture to the wet egg-and-butter mixture. Stir everything together until just combined; you’re looking for a thick, pourable batter. Using a spatula, gently spread the batter over your cranberries and nuts, making sure everything is covered—no need for perfection, the rustic look is all part of the charm.
Step 5: Bake to Golden Perfection
Slide your prepared pie into the oven and bake for 40–45 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when the top is golden, set, and just beginning to crackle around the edges. A toothpick (or cake tester) poked into the center should come out clean. Let your Nantucket Cranberry Pie cool for a bit—just enough to slice cleanly but still enjoy it while warm.
How to Serve Nantucket Cranberry Pie
Garnishes
Keep it simple and classic: a dollop of softly whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream is all you need to complement that sweet-tart filling. If you’re feeling festive, a little grated orange zest on top adds a citrus sparkle, while a dusting of powdered sugar brings wintery charm to each slice.
Side Dishes
Nantucket Cranberry Pie truly shines as the star of the dessert table, but it plays nicely beside a fruit salad of oranges and apples, a cheese platter with creamy brie and sharp cheddar, or even some cinnamon-spiced baked apples for extra comfort on chilly evenings.
Creative Ways to Present
Try cutting the pie into neat bars for potlucks, serving individual slices in vintage teacups with a swirl of cream, or layering cubes of the pie with whipped cream in parfait glasses for an easy yet elegant twist on classic trifle. There’s no wrong way to show off its cranberry-studded beauty!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have leftovers (lucky you!), cover the pie tightly with plastic wrap or transfer slices to an airtight container. It will keep well at room temperature for up to 1 day, or refrigerated for up to 3 days; just let it come to room temperature before serving for the best flavor.
Freezing
You can freeze Nantucket Cranberry Pie, either whole or in slices. Wrap the cooled pie snugly in plastic wrap and then foil, and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and bring to room temperature before serving, or warm gently in the oven.
Reheating
To reheat, place individual slices on a baking sheet and warm in a 300°F oven for about 10 minutes, or until heated through. The crust will crisp up again, and the filling will be perfectly gooey. Skip the microwave to maintain the pie’s delightful texture!
FAQs
Can I use frozen cranberries instead of fresh?
Absolutely! If fresh cranberries aren’t available, frozen ones work beautifully. No need to thaw—just use them straight from the freezer. The pie may need an extra couple of minutes in the oven to account for the extra moisture.
What can I use as a nut substitute for allergies?
You can simply leave out the nuts or swap in sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds if you’d like some crunch. The pie will still be delicious without nuts, and all the cranberry goodness will still shine.
Does Nantucket Cranberry Pie need to be refrigerated?
It’s fine on the counter for a day, especially in a cool kitchen. For longer storage, refrigerate it in a tightly sealed container to keep it tasting fresh and prevent the fruit from weeping.
Can I make Nantucket Cranberry Pie ahead of time?
You sure can! The pie holds up well if you bake it a day ahead, just cover and store at room temperature or in the fridge. For peak texture and warmth, reheat just before serving.
What makes Nantucket Cranberry Pie different from traditional pies?
Unlike classic double-crust pies, Nantucket Cranberry Pie is more like a cross between a cake and a pie. There’s no rolling out pastry—just pour the batter on top, pop it in the oven, and enjoy its rustic magic!
Final Thoughts
If you’ve never tried Nantucket Cranberry Pie before, you’re in for a treat that’s as rewarding to make as it is to share. Grab those cranberries and let your kitchen fill with the sweet scent of something truly special—you may soon be making this pie a new tradition!
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Nantucket Cranberry Pie Recipe
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Nantucket Cranberry Pie is a delightful holiday dessert that combines the tartness of fresh cranberries with the crunch of walnuts or pecans, all baked in a tender, buttery crust. This easy-to-make pie is perfect for any occasion and is sure to impress your guests with its sweet and tangy flavors.
Ingredients
Filling:
- 2 cups fresh cranberries
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
Batter:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon almond extract (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9-inch pie plate.
- Prepare the filling: Spread the cranberries in the pie plate, sprinkle with nuts and sugar.
- Mix the batter: Whisk flour, sugar, and salt. In a separate bowl, beat eggs with melted butter, vanilla, and almond extract. Combine dry and wet ingredients.
- Bake the pie: Pour batter over the cranberries and nuts. Bake for 40–45 minutes until golden and a toothpick comes out clean.
- Serve: Let the pie cool slightly before slicing and serving.
Notes
- This pie is delicious warm with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.
- You can swap pecans for almonds for a different flavor profile.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 310
- Sugar: 32g
- Sodium: 90mg
- Fat: 13g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 46g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 75mg
