Certainly! Here’s a classic and delightful recipe for a festive Christmas pie:
Festive Cranberry Apple Pie
Ingredients:
For the Pie Crust:
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup unsalted butter (cold, cut into cubes)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 6-8 tablespoons ice water
For the Filling:
- 4 cups peeled and thinly sliced apples (such as Granny Smith)
- 2 cups fresh or frozen cranberries
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar (adjust to taste)
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- Zest of 1 orange
- 1 tablespoon fresh orange juice
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter (cut into small pieces for dotting the pie)
Instructions:
- Prepare the Pie Crust:
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, salt, and sugar. Add the cold cubed butter.
- Use a pastry cutter or your fingers to cut the butter into the flour mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs.
- Gradually add ice water, one tablespoon at a time, and mix until the dough just holds together. Avoid overmixing.
- Divide the dough into two equal portions, flatten into discs, wrap each in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
- Prepare the Filling:
- In a separate bowl, combine the sliced apples, cranberries, granulated sugar, flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, orange zest, and fresh orange juice. Toss gently until the fruit is coated evenly.
- Assemble and Bake:
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Roll out one disc of the chilled dough on a lightly floured surface to fit a 9-inch pie dish. Carefully transfer the rolled-out dough to the pie dish.
- Spoon the prepared fruit filling into the crust, distributing it evenly.
- Dot the filling with small pieces of butter.
- Roll out the second disc of dough and cover the pie. You can create a lattice pattern or a full top crust with slits for steam to escape. Seal and crimp the edges of the pie.
- Optionally, brush the top crust with a beaten egg wash for a golden finish.
- Bake the Pie:
- Place the pie on a baking sheet (to catch any drips) and bake in the preheated oven for 50-60 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the filling is bubbling.
- Cool and Serve:
- Allow the pie to cool on a wire rack for at least 1-2 hours before slicing.
- Serve the festive cranberry apple pie as is or with a dollop of whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.
This pie combines the tartness of cranberries with the sweetness of apples, creating a perfect blend of flavors for the holiday season. Enjoy your homemade Christmas pie!
