December 12, 2017

Cranberry Apple Pie

I tried to grow cranberries a number of year's ago. They were called American Cranberries and didn't require a bog, so I thought they would be prefect for cranberry treats around the holidays. They didn't make it, unfortunately, along with a number of other plants I've tried over the years, plants that might be considered exotic for our area, such as a potted olive tree and rhubarb. But we love cranberries, so I like to keep a bulk supply in my pantry.

Dried cranberries - moist and sweet.

These came from a company I recently learned of which specializes in wholesale bulk - Gourmet Nuts and Fruit. Yes, they only sell nuts and dried fruits! They sell mostly at farmer's markets and online, and have good prices and good service. From their blog I learned that cranberries are antioxident, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory. (Actually lots of excellent nutritional information there). So eat more cranberries, right? I think this pie is one way to do it!


Cranberry Apple Pie

Crust 
Filling
  • 5 cups peeled sliced apples
  • 1 cup dried cranberries
  • 3/4 cup sugar
  • 1/4 cup unbleached flour
  • 1/2 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp nutmeg
Plus
  • About 2 tbsp butter

Roll out dough for pie pan. Mix filling ingredients and fill bottom crust. Cut butter into small pieces and dot filling. Add top crust and bake at 450°F (230°C) for 40 minutes or until done.

Colorful, festive, and delicious - all excellent qualities for a holiday pie.

We also like dried cranberries in spinach or broccoli salads with pecans or almonds. And they pair well with pumpkin or sweet potatoes, and I thought I had my "Sweet Potato Cranberry Bread" recipe on my Recipes Page, but I see I don't. No matter, that's the perfect excuse to make some.

Anyone care to share your favorite recipes for dried cranberries?

Cranberry Apple Pie © Dec 2017 by Leigh

18 comments:

Michelle said...

Thanks for the recipe and the link to the wholesale bulk site!

1st Man said...

Oh my gosh that looks DELICIOUS!!! I love apple pies and I LOVE cranberries. What a great combo. Thanks!!! And the link too, great website. Can't wait to check it out.

Leigh said...

Michelle, you're welcome! I confess I like dried cranberries better than raisins. :) They're good for snack eating too!

1st Man, I'm happy to report it's very delicious! I'm thinking cranberry and peaches would be a good combo for a pie too.

Kris said...

Hi Leigh. That pie looks delish! Went to the Gourmet site but can find no info on how their fruit is dried and preserved. Did I miss the info? I don't buy much commercial dried fruit because of preservatives like sulphur or sugars etc. Would love to find a place to buy more dried fruits & coconut.

Enjoy a piece of pie for me! Kris

Leigh said...

Kris, I don't know, so you'd have to contact them and ask. No sugar, no sulfur dried fruits are very hard to find, as you probably know. Since we don't have sensitivities to sulfur, I tend not to pay attention to that, but to asthmatics or those who are otherwise sensitive, it's important, I agree.

Ed said...

I like eating cranberries but since I don't have access to fresh ones, I rarely cook with them. I guess I can console myself since we can raise rhubarb up here.

Leigh said...

Ed, maybe the American Cranberries would work for you! Our summers are simply too hot for rhubarb, which is a shame because I grew up with it. I can't grow gooseberries either, another shame. Learning to adapt our diet to mostly what we can grow is probably the best policy, but also I find that from the money we save by growing most of our own food, I can splurge on treats to keep things interesting. :)

M.K. said...

We love cranberries too! (But we get ours at Walmart.) We put them in breads and granola, and into lots of our salads. Thanks for that yummy recipe!

Leigh said...

M.K., oh yes, granola is a great idea!

Rain said...

That looks delicious! I love cranberries. We are lucky that our market has them available in the fall. I got a little bag of them this year, but next year I'll probably stock up some more!

Mrs Shoes said...

I like dried crans in my granola & yogurt for a chewy texture. I have quite a number of frozen apples so I do believe I will bake your pie as my contribution to the extended family Christmas Eve this year. We are few these days, and we have some challenges to happiness this year, but at least we can have a good meal. Thank you.

Leigh said...

Rain, thanks! I think dried cranberries are a great stock-up item. :)

Mrs. Shoes, anyone who likes cranberries and apples will like this pie. I like how colorful it is. I'd like it for Thanksgiving or Christmas (or any other time, LOL).

Sandy Livesay said...

Leigh,
I've found a few things planted over the years just never seem to get started or develop, and gave up trying to grow them....like aramath. I'm sure it all depends on the location, weather, and soil.

Your pie looks, and sounds delicious. Have you tried making cranberry orange bread or scones?

M.E. Masterson said...

oh my goodness!!
I love love love cranberries!
I just got a case of apples (washington goldens)
I so thank you for this recipe. now I can go back to our local grocer and get those fresh cranberries he is trying to sell and make pies!!
so exciting...eeeekkkk

Cozy Thyme Cottage said...

I like cranberries but if I eat too many of them I am not sure that they like me! I have a cranberry bread recipe that my husband loves. I usually only make it at Christmas time and have not got it done this year yet! Nancy

Leigh said...

Sandy, interesting you can't grow amaranth, but you are so right that somethings just done grow well in some places. It takes a few years to figure that out, doesn't it? I haven't tried cranberries with orange yet, but that sounds like a delicious combo!

M.E., it's definitely the time of year to buy fresh cranberries and now you can have a freezer full of yummy cranberry apple pies!

Nancy, some foods are just like that! Cranberry bread sounds like a nice Christmas tradition though.

Rain said...

Nothing to do with your cranberry pie, but thank you for the Piano Guys link! AWESOME!!! I was groovin' the whole time lol...THAT'S how I want to play piano again! :)

Leigh said...

Rain, glad you liked it! I love The Piano Guys. Excellent musicians and always entertaining. Dan and I can watch their videos for hours.