If you’re on the hunt for a truly unforgettable holiday dessert or just a bright, tangy treat to impress guests, this Best Cranberry Pie Recipe is going to be your new favorite. I absolutely love how this pie balances the natural tartness of cranberries with warm spices and a hint of orange zest — it’s like a cozy hug on a plate. Keep reading because I’m sharing tips I’ve picked up over the years to help you nail this pie perfectly every time.

❤️

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Perfect Tart-and-Sweet Balance: The fresh cranberries combined with orange zest and cinnamon create a delicious harmony that brightens every bite.
Flaky, Buttery Crust: I use a simple homemade crust that turns out crisp and tender, complementing the juicy filling beautifully.
Easy to Make Ahead: This pie holds up great in the fridge or freezer, making it a fantastic make-ahead dessert for busy days.
Family Favorite: My family goes crazy for this recipe every holiday season, and I know yours will too.

A close-up view shows a deep red fruit pie with a thick, textured filling that is shiny and full of small fruit pieces. The pie crust is golden brown and flaky, with decorative leaf shapes pressed into the edge, which rests on the rim of a white pie dish. The background shows some loose red fruits scattered on a white marbled surface, with a stack of patterned white plates and silver forks in soft focus behind the pie. The overall scene is bright and inviting. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Best Cranberry Pie, Cranberry Pie Easy, Holiday Cranberry Pie, Tart Cranberry Pie, Cranberry Pie with Orange Zest

Ingredients You’ll Need

The magic of the Best Cranberry Pie Recipe really starts with quality ingredients that blend zest, spice, and that perfect tartness. When I pick cranberries, I look for firm, plump berries—if you use frozen, just make sure to thaw them properly so they cook evenly. Fresh orange zest adds a gorgeous citrus punch that you really don’t want to skip.

Flat lay of a small mound of fresh bright red cranberries, a small white ceramic bowl filled with fine white granulated sugar, a few strips of fresh orange zest curled gently, a small white bowl of deep golden ground cinnamon powder, a small white bowl of warm brown ground ginger powder, a small white bowl of fine white cornstarch powder, a small white bowl with freshly squeezed orange juice showing a vibrant orange color, a small white bowl containing coarse kosher salt crystals placed symmetrically—all items arranged with perfect balance and fresh natural appearance, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997 - Best Cranberry Pie, Cranberry Pie Easy, Holiday Cranberry Pie, Tart Cranberry Pie, Cranberry Pie with Orange Zest

Cranberries: Fresh or frozen cranberries both work well; fresh gives a brighter flavor, but frozen are convenient and just as tasty.
Granulated Sugar: This balances out the tart cranberries without overpowering them—stick with white sugar for the cleanest bite.
Orange Zest: Adds vibrant citrus notes that pair beautifully with cranberries and warm spices.
Kosher Salt: A pinch enhances the flavors and rounds out sweetness.
Ground Cinnamon: Warms up the filling with a cozy, familiar spice that feels like fall in a slice.
Ground Ginger: Adds a subtle spicy kick that complements the cinnamon perfectly.
Cornstarch: This thickens the juicy filling so it holds together without being runny or stodgy.
Orange Juice: Freshly squeezed is best for brightness, but bottled works in a pinch.

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

The beauty of the Best Cranberry Pie Recipe is that you can easily tweak it to match your taste or dietary needs. Over time, I’ve experimented with a few variations, which makes it fun to customize for different occasions or family preferences.

Gluten-Free Crust: I’ve swapped the classic pie crust with a gluten-free one, and it still turns out flaky and delicious.
Less Sweet Version: Lower the sugar if you prefer a tarter pie – just keep an eye on the filling’s consistency by adjusting cornstarch slightly.
Spiced Up: I sometimes add nutmeg or cloves for extra warmth during the holidays; it gives the pie a richer flavor.
Mixed Berries: Along with cranberries, toss in some blueberries or raspberries for a berry medley that’s equally delightful.

How to Make Best Cranberry Pie Recipe

Step 1: Prep Your Filling With Love

Start by rinsing your cranberries under cold water and picking out any soft or damaged ones. Combine the cranberries with granulated sugar, orange zest, kosher salt, cinnamon, ginger, and cornstarch in a large bowl. Pour in the orange juice and gently toss everything together until the berries are coated evenly. I like to let this mixture sit for about 10-15 minutes while I roll out the pie crust; it helps the flavors meld beautifully and softens the berries just a hint.

Step 2: Roll and Prepare Your Pie Crust

Whether you’re using store-bought or homemade dough (I’m a sucker for homemade), roll it out on a lightly floured surface until it’s about 12 inches in diameter for a 9-inch pie pan. Press the crust gently into your dish, trimming any excess from the edges. This recipe calls for a single crust pie, but you can certainly top it with a lattice or full crust if you want. Just remember to cut steam vents if you’re doing a full top crust to avoid a soggy pie.

Step 3: Fill and Bake to Perfection

Spoon your cranberry filling into the crust, mounding it slightly in the center. To prevent bubbling over during baking, you can place the pie on a baking sheet lined with foil or parchment paper. Bake the pie at 350°F (175°C) for about 60 minutes, or until the filling is bubbly and the crust is golden brown. Keep an eye on it towards the end and if the edges brown too quickly, cover them with foil strips to protect them. When you take it out, the filling will still be a little soft but trust me, it sets as it cools.

👨‍🍳

Pro Tips for Making Best Cranberry Pie Recipe

Use Fresh Orange Zest: I learned that zesting just before mixing keeps the oils vibrant and gives your pie that extra pop of flavor.
Cornstarch for Thickening: Don’t skip the cornstarch—it thickens the tart juices without making the filling gummy.
Chill Your Pie After Baking: Cooling the pie completely helps the filling set up nicely and makes slicing much easier.
Prevent Over-Browning: I protect the crust edges with foil if they brown quickly; it keeps everything looking beautiful and delicious.

How to Serve Best Cranberry Pie Recipe

The image shows a cranberry pie with a golden brown crust decorated with leaf shapes along the edge, filled with shiny deep red cranberry filling that looks thick and textured with visible whole cranberries inside. The pie is in a white ceramic pie dish with a scalloped edge, sitting on a white marbled surface with a red and white checkered cloth nearby. In the background, there is a second whole pie with a crumbly golden brown top crust in another white pie dish, red apples, a white dish filled with fresh cranberries, and a small bowl of white sauce or cream. The lighting is soft and natural, highlighting the warm colors and textures of the pies and ingredients. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Best Cranberry Pie, Cranberry Pie Easy, Holiday Cranberry Pie, Tart Cranberry Pie, Cranberry Pie with Orange Zest

Garnishes

I usually top slices with a dollop of freshly whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream—both melt perfectly into the warm pie filling and balance the tartness. For a touch of elegance, I sometimes sprinkle a few fresh cranberries or a tiny bit of extra orange zest over the top just before serving.

Side Dishes

This pie shines as a dessert after a hearty meal, especially alongside roasted turkey or ham during the holidays. If you want to keep it casual, pairing it with a cup of spiced tea or fresh coffee works wonderfully for a cozy afternoon treat.

Creative Ways to Present

For a festive touch, I love serving individual mini cranberry pies in ramekins—perfect for dinner parties where everyone gets their own slice. Another fun idea is to add a lattice crust with a sprinkle of coarse sugar on top for some sparkle and texture that really wows guests.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I’ve found that leftover cranberry pie keeps perfectly covered in the fridge for up to five days. Make sure to tightly wrap it or store in an airtight container to keep the crust from getting soggy. When I’m ready for another slice, I let it come to room temperature for about 20 minutes—it really brings back that fresh-baked feel.

Freezing

Freezing this pie works great too! I freeze unbaked pies wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and then foil. When I want to bake it, I thaw overnight in the fridge and bake the next day for a fresh-from-the-oven taste without the prep stress.

Reheating

For reheating, I pop slices in a 350°F oven for 10-15 minutes to warm through and crisp up the crust again. Avoid microwaving if you want to keep the crust flaky; the oven method helps revive all those lovely textures.

FAQs

Can I use frozen cranberries for this pie?

Absolutely! Frozen cranberries work wonderfully and are often more convenient outside of fresh cranberry season. Just be sure to thaw and drain them a bit before mixing with sugar to avoid excess water in your filling.
How do I prevent a soggy pie crust?

To avoid sogginess, make sure your pie crust is well chilled before adding the filling. You can also blind-bake the crust for 10 minutes before adding the filling, and use cornstarch to thicken the filling so excess moisture doesn’t soak in.
Can I add other fruits to this cranberry pie?

Yes! Adding berries like blueberries or raspberries can add complexity to the flavor and texture, making the pie even more interesting while complementing the tart cranberry base.
What is the best way to serve cranberry pie?

Serving chilled or at room temperature with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream brings out the best flavors. It also pairs nicely with warm beverages like coffee or spiced tea.

Final Thoughts

When I first tried the Best Cranberry Pie Recipe, I was hooked by how the tart cranberries combined with warm spices and just a hint of citrus could make such a festive and comforting dessert. I love sharing this pie because it feels like a little bit of holiday magic you can create anytime you want. If you’re looking to add a show-stopping pie to your repertoire, give this one a try—I promise your friends and family will be asking for it every year!