Cranberry Pie with Streusel Topping is a delightful dessert that captures the essence of autumn and the holiday season. With its vibrant tartness from the cranberries complementing a sweet and crunchy streusel topping, this pie offers a perfect balance of flavors and textures. Whether you’re hosting a holiday gathering or simply looking for a comforting treat, this cranberry pie is sure to impress.
Why We Love This Cranberry Pie with Streusel Topping Recipe
This Cranberry Pie with Streusel Topping is more than just a dessert; it’s a celebration of seasonal flavors. The bright, tart cranberries bring a wonderful zing, while the buttery streusel adds a delightful crunch. It combines the warmth of tradition with a refreshing twist, making it an ideal choice for family gatherings or holiday dinners. The aromatic hints of orange zest and cinnamon elevate this pie to a new level, creating a warm and inviting experience for everyone at the table. Plus, it’s made with simple ingredients you likely already have on hand, making it accessible to even novice bakers.
Ingredients about Cranberry Pie with Streusel Topping
- 1.25 cups all-purpose flour
- 0.5 tsp salt
- 1 tbsp sugar
- 0.5 cup unsalted butter (chilled and cubed)
- 4 tbsp ice water (as needed)
- 3 cups fresh or frozen cranberries
- 0.75 cup granulated sugar
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp orange zest
- 0.25 cup orange juice (fresh)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 0.5 tsp cinnamon
- 1 pinch salt
- 0.75 cup all-purpose flour
- 0.5 cup rolled oats
- 0.5 cup brown sugar
- 0.5 tsp cinnamon
- 0.25 tsp nutmeg
- 0.5 cup unsalted butter (cold and cubed)
How to Make Cranberry Pie with Streusel Topping Directions
Creating this delicious cranberry pie is straightforward and rewarding. Start by preparing the pie crust. In a mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, salt, and sugar. Next, cut in the chilled, cubed butter using a pastry cutter or your fingers until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. It’s essential to work quickly to ensure the butter remains cold, as this helps create a flaky crust. Gradually add the ice water, one tablespoon at a time, until the dough holds together when pressed. Shape the dough into a disc, wrap it in plastic wrap, and chill it in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes.
While the dough chills, you can prepare the filling. In a saucepan, combine the cranberries, granulated sugar, brown sugar, flour, orange zest, fresh orange juice, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt. Cook over medium heat while stirring gently until the cranberries begin to burst and the mixture thickens, which should take around 10 minutes. Once thickened, set aside to cool.
Next, it’s time to make the streusel topping. In another bowl, mix together the all-purpose flour, rolled oats, brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Cut in the cold, cubed butter until the mixture is crumbly. This streusel will add a lovely texture and flavor contrast to the tart filling.
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Now, roll out your chilled pie dough on a lightly floured surface until it’s large enough to fit in your 9-inch pie pan. Place the dough into the pan, trimming any excess from the edges. Pour the cranberry filling into the crust, spreading it evenly. Finally, sprinkle the streusel topping generously over the filling.
Bake the pie in the preheated oven for 40 to 45 minutes or until the cranberry filling is bubbling, and the topping is golden brown. Allow the pie to cool completely before slicing. Cooling is essential as it allows the filling to set properly, making for cleaner slices when serving.
How to Serve Cranberry Pie with Streusel Topping
Serving your Cranberry Pie with Streusel Topping can be an equally delightful experience. Once your pie has cooled, slice it into triangular pieces. For an added touch of indulgence, consider serving warm slices with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of freshly whipped cream. The creaminess pairs beautifully with the tartness of the cranberries and the crunch of the streusel, creating a harmonious balance of flavors.
If you’d like to elevate the presentation, you can garnish each slice with a sprinkle of cinnamon or a drizzle of caramel sauce. You may also want to serve it alongside a hot cup of tea or coffee, which complements the pie’s sweet and tangy profile. This pie is versatile and can be enjoyed at any time of day, whether as a sweet breakfast treat or a comforting dessert after dinner.
Expert Tips: Cranberry Pie with Streusel Topping
To ensure your cranberry pie turns out perfectly, keep these expert tips in mind. First, always use cold butter for both the pie crust and streusel topping. This is crucial for creating a flaky texture. If you find your butter is warming up too much, pop it back in the fridge for a few minutes.
When it comes to the cranberries, taste as you go. Depending on how tart your cranberries are, you may want to adjust the amount of sugar in the filling. If you’re using frozen cranberries, there’s no need to thaw them before use; just toss them directly into the mixture.
For the streusel topping, ensure you cut in the butter until you achieve a crumbly texture. You want to see some larger pieces for a delicious crunch. Be careful not to overmix, because this can lead to a dense topping.
Lastly, if you don’t have fresh orange juice, you can substitute with bottled juice, although fresh juice brings out a brighter flavor. Always allow the pie to cool before serving; this helps set the filling and makes for a more enjoyable eating experience.
How to Store Cranberry Pie with Streusel Topping
Storing your Cranberry Pie with Streusel Topping is simple. If you have leftovers after serving, cover the pie loosely with plastic wrap or aluminum foil and refrigerate. It will stay fresh in the refrigerator for about 3 to 4 days. When ready to enjoy, you can eat it cold or reheat it in the oven at a low temperature to warm the filling and crisp up the streusel topping again.
If you want to keep the pie for a longer period, consider freezing it. However, it’s best to freeze the pie before baking for the best texture. Wrap the unbaked pie tightly in plastic wrap and then in aluminum foil to prevent freezer burn. It can be frozen for up to 2 months. When you’re ready to bake, you can remove it from the freezer and bake it straight from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the baking time.
Variation of Cranberry Pie with Streusel Topping
There are many delightful variations of Cranberry Pie with Streusel Topping you can try to suit your taste preferences. One delicious option is to mix in other fruits with the cranberries. For example, you can add chopped apples or pears to create a fruit medley. These fruits add natural sweetness and pair excellently with the tartness of cranberries.
If you’re looking to add a nutty flavor to the streusel topping, consider incorporating chopped walnuts or pecans. This will add a wonderful crunch and depth to the topping, making each bite more satisfying. You can also experiment with spices; adding ginger or cardamom can bring a warm and aromatic quality to the filling.
For a gluten-free version, substitute the all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend, which is widely available in grocery stores. Just ensure that both the crust and the streusel are made with gluten-free ingredients.
Lastly, if you’re looking for a lower sugar option, you can substitute sugars in the filling with natural sweeteners like honey or maple syrup. Adjust the amounts according to your taste, keeping in mind that these sweeteners may change the flavor profile slightly.
FAQ
What is Cranberry Pie with Streusel Topping?
Cranberry Pie with Streusel Topping is a delicious dessert made with fresh or frozen cranberries, a buttery crust, and a crunchy topping of oats and brown sugar. It’s perfect for showcasing the tart flavor of cranberries, often enjoyed during the fall and winter seasons.
Can I use frozen cranberries for this pie?
Yes, you can use frozen cranberries without thawing them first. They will cook perfectly in the filling, and there’s no need to adjust your recipe.
How do I know when my Cranberry Pie is done baking?
Your cranberry pie is done when the filling is bubbly, and the streusel topping is golden brown. If the pie is browning too quickly, you can cover the edges with aluminum foil to prevent over-baking.
How should I store leftovers?
To store leftover cranberry pie, cover it loosely with plastic wrap or foil and refrigerate. It should remain fresh for about 3 to 4 days. For longer storage, consider freezing the pie before baking.
Can I alter the amount of sugar in the filling?
Absolutely! Feel free to adjust the sugar according to your taste preference, especially if your cranberries are on the tart side. Just remember to taste the filling as you go.
Cranberry Pie with Streusel Topping
Ingredients
For the pie crust
- 1.25 cups all-purpose flour
- 0.5 tsp salt
- 1 tbsp sugar
- 0.5 cup unsalted butter (chilled and cubed)
- 4 tbsp ice water (as needed)
For the filling
- 3 cups fresh or frozen cranberries
- 0.75 cup granulated sugar
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp orange zest
- 0.25 cup orange juice (fresh)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 0.5 tsp cinnamon
- 1 pinch salt
For the streusel topping
- 0.75 cup all-purpose flour
- 0.5 cup rolled oats
- 0.5 cup brown sugar
- 0.5 tsp cinnamon
- 0.25 tsp nutmeg
- 0.5 cup unsalted butter (cold and cubed)
Instructions
Preparation of the pie crust
- In a mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, salt, and sugar.
- Cut in the chilled, cubed butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Gradually add the ice water, one tablespoon at a time, until the dough holds together when pressed.
- Shape the dough into a disc, wrap it in plastic wrap, and chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes.
Preparation of the filling
- Combine cranberries, granulated sugar, brown sugar, flour, orange zest, fresh orange juice, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt in a saucepan.
- Cook over medium heat while stirring gently until the cranberries begin to burst and mixture thickens, about 10 minutes.
- Set aside to cool.
Preparation of the streusel topping
- In another bowl, mix together the all-purpose flour, rolled oats, brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
- Cut in the cold, cubed butter until the mixture is crumbly.
Assembly and Baking
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Roll out the chilled pie dough on a lightly floured surface until it’s large enough to fit in a 9-inch pie pan.
- Place the dough into the pan and trim any excess.
- Pour the cranberry filling into the crust, spreading it evenly.
- Sprinkle the streusel topping generously over the filling.
- Bake for 40 to 45 minutes or until the filling is bubbling and the topping is golden brown.
- Allow the pie to cool completely before slicing.
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