Apple Cranberry Pie with Walnuts and Crumb Topping

I love a good apple pie, it is quintessential American, but how about mixing it up with this apple cranberry pie with crunchy walnuts and a sweet crumb topping? It is sweet, tart, and a little crunchy with walnuts and crumb topping for ease and deliciousness!

When it comes to fall desserts, apple and cranberry pie is one of my favorites! It's the perfect combination of sweet and tart. As soon as fresh cranberries show up in my market, I'm ready to start cooking with them.

They work great in savory dishes, such as this chicken salad recipe, and in sweet recipes such as homemade cranberry syrup and of course this apple cranberry crumb pie!

If you enjoy baking pies, I think you'll love this cherry slab pie or this amazing blueberry pie that isn't runny! For an even easier apple pie, what about this puff pastry apple pie recipe?

Why This Cranberry Apple Pie Recipe Is So Good

• Well, it's apple and it's a classic. But this pie is made even better with the addition of seasonal fresh cranberries and walnuts are the best nut to go with apples!

• Pies can feel intimidating, especially a pie like an apple pie that shrinks so much during baking. But I'm here to help you along the way and this recipe uses a crumb topping that will fall with the apples as they bake. The pie looks perfect no matter what!

• It is a crowd-pleaser. Everyone loves a good apple pie! This is a pie that is always a hit when I serve it. I know it will be in your house as well.

Ingredients You Need

Apple cranberry pie with crumb topping requires a handful of simple baking ingredients. Some I bet you already have on hand and the rest you can find at most grocery stores.

• Pie dough: I definitely recommend making a homemade pie crust. I love this partial wheat pie dough recipe but you can also use store-bought dough as well. 
• Apples: Not all apples are equal when it comes to baking. I highly recommend using a mixture of Granny Smith and Gala apples.
• Cranberries: Use fresh if possible.
• Granulated sugar: Sweetens the apple pie filling.
• Cornstarch: It absorbs the liquid released by the fruit as it cooks and helps to thicken up the filling. You can also use tapioca pears or flour but cornstarch is my favorite.
• Cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves: Gives the pie its warming, fall flavors.
• Walnuts: Chopped walnuts are what makes this the best cranberry apple pie! They go in the filling and in the crumb topping.
• Butter: Use salted butter. You will need chilled, cubed butter for the pie filling and melted butter for the topping.
• Whole wheat pastry flour and rolled oats: Make the base for the crumb topping for the apple cranberry pie recipe.
• Brown sugar: Used to sweeten the topping.  I prefer to use dark brown sugar but you can use light as well though it packs a bit less flavor.

For the full list of ingredients and the quantities you need, refer to the recipe card at the bottom of the page.

How To Make Apple and Cranberry Pie

Let's look at an overview of what goes into making the best apple and cranberry pie. Detailed instructions are in the recipe card!

Start with the pie crust. I like to use a homemade partial wheat crust that is flaky and delicious. If you decide to go with this recipe, it will need to be made ahead of time and chilled, so keep that in mind. If you don't want to make it, buy one! No judgment here.

1. Once it is chilled and ready to go, roll it out to fit your pie pan and crimp the edges. When you're done, move the crust to the fridge to chill while you work on the rest.

2. Next, start on the cranberry apple filling and place the sliced apples in a bowl.
3. Then add the cranberries, granulated sugar, walnuts, cornstarch, salt and cinnamon.

4. Mix everything up to combine all the apple cranberry pie filling ingredients.
5. Transfer to the pie shell and top with your butter pats and move it to the fridge while we prep the topping.

6. Next up is that delicious buttery crumb topping. Mix all ingredients together and spread them over the pie filling.

7. Move the pie to the oven and bake until it is golden brown on top and the apples are tender.

That is it and the pie is done! Take a well-deserved break. We serve our pie just like it is, or topped with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream. The hubs insist vanilla ice cream is the only way to eat apple pie.

Expert Tips

• Give homemade pie dough time to chill before using. This helps prevent shrinkage, which you do not want!
• The best apples for baking. I like to use a blend of Granny Smith and Fuji for mine. It is a blend I have used for so long and it has worked, so I am sticking with it. Just make sure to avoid mealy apples that cook too soft when baked.
• Is the crust getting too brown? If the top starts to brown too much, create a tinfoil tent and cover the pie gently. Cut a piece of tin foil that is about 12 inches by 24 inches. Crease it in the middle to form a tent, and gently set it over the pie.
• When is my apple and cranberry pie done? To check the apples for doneness poke the middle gently with a fork. You do not want to bake until the apples are mushy, just tender. Otherwise, it is more like applesauce cake!
• Let the pie cool before cutting it. If you can't resist, then go for it, but if you can, let it cool. Check out this post for tips on how to cut a pie.

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