Sweet Nantucket Cranberry Pie Recipe

Sweet & Tangy Nantucket Cranberry Pie Recipe for Fall Magic

Tangy cranberries burst with vibrant flavor in this delightful Nantucket cranberry pie recipe that promises pure comfort.

Sweet and tart notes dance across your palate with every delectable bite.

The rustic charm of this dessert comes from its simple yet elegant ingredients.

Home bakers adore how quickly this pie comes together with minimal effort.

Each slice delivers a perfect balance of buttery crust and bright cranberry essence.

The recipe celebrates seasonal produce with a homemade touch that feels both nostalgic and exciting.

You’ll fall in love with this classic New England-inspired treat that turns ordinary ingredients into something extraordinary.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 40-50 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour

Calories: 350 kcal

Servings: 9

Ingredients for Nantucket Cranberry Pie

For Filling Base:
  • Cranberries: Tart jewels that bring vibrant, zesty flavor and gorgeous ruby color to the dessert.
  • Walnuts: Crunchy companions that add nutty depth and delightful texture to the pie.
  • Sugar: Sweet crystal enhancer that balances the cranberries' sharp bite and helps caramelize the filling.
For Batter Components:
  • Eggs: Binding heroes that provide structure and rich, silky consistency to the pie.
  • Butter: Luxurious moisture maker that ensures a tender, melt-in-your-mouth crumb.
  • Sugar: Sweetness transformer that creates golden-brown caramelization and balanced flavor.
  • All-Purpose Flour: Sturdy foundation that gives the pie its perfect cake-like structure.
  • Salt: Subtle flavor amplifier that brightens and harmonizes all other ingredients.
For Aromatic Enhancers:
  • Vanilla Extract: Warm, comforting essence that adds depth and classic bakery fragrance.
  • Almond Extract: Elegant flavor booster that introduces a subtle, sophisticated nutty undertone.

Tools to Help Bake Nantucket Cranberry Pie

  • 10-inch pie plate: Essential for baking and holding the cranberry pie.
  • Mixing bowls: Two needed for combining cranberry mixture and batter ingredients.
  • Spatula: Flat tool for spreading batter evenly over cranberry layer.
  • Ice cream scooper: Helps place thick batter evenly on top of cranberries.
  • Measuring cups: For accurately measuring sugar, flour, and other ingredients.
  • Measuring spoons: Precise for measuring extracts and salt.
  • Whisk or electric mixer: Useful for beating eggs and mixing batter smoothly.
  • Sharp knife: Required for chopping cranberries and nuts.
  • Toothpick: Helps test pie doneness by checking center for clean insertion.

Easy Steps to Make Nantucket Cranberry Pie

  • Cranberry Foundation

Toss together tart cranberries with crunchy nuts and a sprinkle of sweet sugar, creating a vibrant base layer that promises a tangy surprise in every bite.

  • Silky Batter Creation

Whip eggs with melted butter, sugar, and a hint of vanilla and almond essence until the mixture transforms into a luxurious, velvety blanket ready to embrace the fruity foundation.

  • Rustic Layering

Gently dollop the thick, creamy batter over the cranberry mixture, spreading it carefully to ensure complete coverage, allowing each spoonful to promise a perfect blend of textures.

  • Oven Magic

Slide the pie into a warm oven, letting the heat work its transformative charm until the top turns a golden, inviting shade and the center sets with a tender firmness.

  • Resting and Serving

Allow the pie to settle and cool slightly, letting flavors meld and intensify. Serve this rustic delight warm or at room temperature, perhaps crowned with a cloud of whipped cream or a scoop of cool, creamy ice cream.

Baking Tips for Nantucket Cranberry Pie

  • Prepare the pie a day in advance to enhance flavor development and save last-minute cooking stress.
  • Replace walnuts with pecans, almonds, or hazelnuts to add personal flair and nutty depth to the dessert.
  • Serve warm with vanilla ice cream for a classic comfort experience or enjoy at room temperature for a more refined dessert presentation.
  • Mix in other seasonal berries like raspberries or blueberries alongside cranberries to create a unique flavor profile and colorful appearance.

How to Serve Nantucket Cranberry Pie with Style

  • Holiday Dessert Companion: A scoop of vanilla bean ice cream beautifully complements the tart cranberries and creates a delightful temperature contrast.
  • Winter Brunch Wonder: Slice this pie alongside morning coffee or hot tea for a festive breakfast treat that feels special and indulgent.
  • Dessert Presentation Elegance: Dust the top with powdered sugar or garnish with fresh whole cranberries and toasted almond slivers to elevate the visual appeal and add texture.
  • Seasonal Gathering Centerpiece: Serve this pie at family gatherings, potlucks, or holiday celebrations as a stunning homemade dessert that showcases traditional New England flavors.

Storing Nantucket Cranberry Pie for Freshness

  • Slice and Chill Strategy: Refrigerate leftover pie slices in an airtight container for up to 4 days, ensuring maximum freshness and flavor retention.
  • Freezer-Friendly Option: Wrap individual slices or the entire pie tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil, storing flat in the freezer for 2-3 months without losing taste quality.
  • Room Temperature Magic: Keep the pie covered at room temperature for 1-2 days if planning to enjoy it soon, which helps maintain its soft, tender texture and prevents unnecessary refrigeration.
  • Make-Ahead Brilliance: Prepare the entire pie one day before serving, allowing flavors to meld and intensify, creating an even more delicious dessert experience that impresses family and guests alike.
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Sweet Nantucket Cranberry Pie Recipe

Sweet Nantucket Cranberry Pie


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4.8 from 11 reviews

  • Total Time: 1 hour
  • Yield: 9 1x

Description

Rustic easy Nantucket cranberry pie brings classic New England charm to dessert tables. Buttery crust and tart cranberries combine for a simple yet memorable sweet that welcomes you to savor each delightful bite.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup white sugar (for cake topping)
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • ¾ cup (12 tbsps or 340 g) unsalted butter, melted
  • 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
  • 2 ½ cups cranberries, fresh or frozen, coarsely chopped
  • ½ cup white sugar (for filling)
  • ½ cup pecans or walnuts, chopped
  • ½ tsp salt (use about half if using salted butter)
  • ½ tsp vanilla extract
  • ½ tsp almond extract

Instructions

  1. Preparation: Warm the oven to 350°F and lightly grease a 10-inch pie plate with butter.
  2. Foundation Layer: Toss chopped cranberries, nuts, and sugar together, creating a vibrant, textured base. Spread this mixture evenly across the pie plate’s bottom.
  3. Batter Creation: In a separate bowl, blend eggs, melted butter, sugar, flour, salt, vanilla, and almond extracts until a smooth, rich batter emerges.
  4. Assembly: Delicately drop spoonfuls of batter over the cranberry layer, gently spreading to completely cover the filling and reach the plate’s edges.
  5. Baking Process: Slide the pie into the preheated oven and bake for 40-50 minutes. Watch for a golden surface and ensure a clean toothpick test indicates doneness.
  6. Cooling and Serving: Remove from the oven and let the pie rest, allowing flavors to meld and intensify. Serve warm or at room temperature, optionally crowned with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Notes

  • Cranberry Prep Tip: Chop cranberries finely to ensure even distribution and balanced tartness throughout the pie.
  • Batter Consistency Check: Aim for a thick, smooth batter that coats the back of a spoon – this guarantees a perfect texture and even baking.
  • Golden Brown Indicator: Watch for a deep golden color around the edges, signaling the pie is perfectly baked and crisp on the outside.
  • Make-Ahead Magic: This pie tastes even better the next day, allowing flavors to deepen and develop a more complex, rich profile.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 40-50 minutes
  • Category: Desserts
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 9
  • Calories: 350
  • Sugar: 25 g
  • Sodium: 150 mg
  • Fat: 22 g
  • Saturated Fat: 14 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 38 g
  • Fiber: 2 g
  • Protein: 4 g
  • Cholesterol: 90 mg
Sophie Martin

Sophie Martin

Co-Founder & Content Creator

Expertise

  • Nutrition and Healthy Eating
  • Creating Balanced Recipes
  • Meal Planning
  • Food Safety
  • Teaching About Nutrition

Education

Stellenbosch University, South Africa

  • Degree: Bachelor of Science in Human Nutrition
  • Focus: Studying how food affects health, learning about balanced diets, and understanding the nutritional needs of different people.

South African Chefs Academy, Cape Town

  • Program: Professional Culinary Arts Diploma
  • Focus: Practical cooking skills, focusing on healthy meal preparation and understanding various cooking methods.

Sophie Martin is the nutrition brain and feel-good foodie at Good Tasting Meals. With a degree in Human Nutrition from Stellenbosch University and chef training from the South African Chefs Academy, Sophie brings balance to the table, literally. She loves creating meals that are easy to make, great to eat, and good for your body too.

Her recipes are made for everyday living, with a little flair and a lot of heart. Sophie’s not here to count calories, she’s here to show you how fresh, simple food can fit into your life, taste amazing, and still be nourishing.

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