In the South, cranberry pie is a beloved dessert that often makes an appearance during the holiday season. Its tart and tangy flavor balances out the sweetness of traditional holiday treats, making it a refreshing addition to any spread. However, many people are intimidated by the thought of making a homemade cranberry pie. But fear not, because we have the ultimate cranberry pie recipe from Southern Living that is sure to impress your family and friends. Follow along as we break down the steps to creating this delicious and festive dessert.
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Any great pie starts with a great crust, and this cranberry pie is no exception. For this recipe, you'll need all-purpose flour, salt, sugar, and cold butter. The key to a flaky and buttery crust is to keep all the ingredients cold and to not overwork the dough. Mix together the dry ingredients, then cut in the cold butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Gradually add in cold water, a tablespoon at a time, until the dough comes together. Roll out the dough and carefully transfer it to a pie dish.
Since this pie has a liquid filling, you'll want to blind bake the crust to prevent it from getting soggy. Simply line the crust with parchment paper and fill it with pie weights or dried beans. Bake for 10 minutes, then remove the weights and bake for an additional 10 minutes until the crust is lightly golden.
The star of this pie is, of course, the cranberry filling. You'll need fresh cranberries, sugar, cornstarch, orange juice, and orange zest for this deliciously tart and sweet filling. Combine all the ingredients in a saucepan and cook until the cranberries have burst and the mixture has thickened. Pour the filling into the pre-baked crust and let it cool.
While frozen cranberries can be used in a pinch, using fresh cranberries will give the pie a better texture and flavor. Fresh cranberries are also widely available during the holiday season, so it's a great time to take advantage of them.
For the final touches, you can get creative with the crust. You can use a lattice design, cut out shapes, or simply leave it plain. Brush the crust with an egg wash and sprinkle some sugar for a perfectly golden and sweet crust. Bake the pie for about 40 minutes until the crust is golden and the filling is bubbly.
This cranberry pie is best served warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. The cold and creamy ice cream complements the tart and warm pie filling perfectly. Your guests will thank you for this delicious combination!
With this easy and delicious cranberry pie recipe from Southern Living, you can confidently add this festive dessert to your holiday menu. The combination of tart cranberries and sweet filling is sure to be a hit with your loved ones. So go ahead and give it a try, and let us know how it turns out!
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