Easy Cranberry Custard Pie Recipe: Sweet-Tart Holiday Magic

Baking a delightful cranberry custard pie brings pure comfort on chilly autumn afternoons.

Silky smooth custard meets tart cranberry in this incredible pie recipe that promises a symphony of flavors.

Each slice bursts with rich, creamy textures and vibrant seasonal notes.

The golden crust cradles a luscious filling that balances sweet and tangy perfectly.

Warm spices dance through the custard, creating a dessert that feels like a warm embrace.

Guests will swoon over the stunning presentation and complex taste profile.

This pie turns an ordinary dessert into an extraordinary culinary experience you won’t soon forget.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Cook Time: 50 minutes

Total Time: 6 hours 20 minutes

Calories: 300 kcal

Servings: 9

Cranberry Custard Pie: What Goes Into It

• Refrigerated Pie Crust: Provides a flaky, golden foundation that cradles the creamy custard and tangy cranberries, ensuring a perfect texture and easy preparation.
• Pie Shell: Offers a convenient alternative for bakers wanting a quick and reliable base for their dessert.

• Cranberries, Orange Juice, Orange Zest: Fresh, vibrant ingredients that deliver a bright, tart punch and create a beautiful balance of sweetness and acidity in the custard.

• Sweetened Condensed Milk: Adds rich, velvety sweetness and helps create a smooth, luxurious custard texture.
• Egg Yolks: Provide structure, richness, and a silky consistency to the custard, ensuring a decadent and luscious filling.

Tools That Help You Bake Cranberry Custard Pie Right

• Pie Pan: 9-inch deep-dish for perfect custard pie shape.
• Rolling Pin: Essential for rolling out pie dough evenly.
• Measuring Cups/Spoons: Precise measurements ensure recipe success.
• Mixing Bowl: Large bowl for combining custard ingredients smoothly.
• Saucepan: Medium-sized for cooking cranberries and creating puree.
• Immersion Blender: Quickly purees cranberry mixture.
• Fine-Mesh Sieve: Strains cranberry puree for silky texture.
• Whisk: Blends custard ingredients until perfectly smooth.
• Parchment Paper: Prevents crust from sticking during par-baking.
• Tin Foil: Protects pie crust edges from over-browning.
• Pie Weights (or Dried Beans): Keeps crust flat during initial baking.
• Wire Rack: Allows pie to cool evenly after baking.
• Aluminum Foil/Pie Shield: Optional protection for crust edges.

How to Make Cranberry Custard Pie Easily

• Dough Preparation

Roll out pie pastry on a lightly dusted surface, creating a smooth circular shape that fits perfectly inside a pie dish. Gently press the delicate dough into the pan, trimming excess edges with care.

• Cranberry Transformation

Simmer cranberries in orange juice, watching them burst and release vibrant crimson colors. Blend into a silky smooth puree, then strain to eliminate any tough remnants.

• Custard Creation

Combine egg yolks, sweetened condensed milk, cranberry puree, and orange zest in a mixing bowl. Whisk until the mixture becomes a luxurious, velvety liquid with a beautiful sunset-like hue.

• Baking Magic

Pour the cranberry custard into the pre-baked shell. Slide the pie into a warm oven, allowing it to bake until the center jiggles slightly when nudged. Watch carefully to prevent over-browning.

• Cooling and Finishing

Let the pie rest at room temperature, then refrigerate for several hours. This waiting period allows the custard to set perfectly and intensifies the flavor profile.

• Festive Presentation

Decorate with dollops of whipped cream and scattered fresh cranberries. Sprinkle with delicate sugared rosemary for an elegant winter-inspired touch that delights the eyes and palate.

Flavor Tips for Cranberry Custard Pie Filling

• Cranberry Crush: Switch up standard cranberries with wild or frozen varieties for deeper, more intense flavor profiles. Fresh or frozen work equally well in this delectable dessert.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the pie up to two days in advance, storing it covered in the refrigerator. This method actually enhances the pie's rich, tangy flavor and allows busy home bakers to plan ahead.
• Zesty Twist: Experiment with different citrus zests like lemon or lime to complement the cranberry's tartness. Each citrus option will create a unique flavor dimension that elevates the entire dessert experience.
• Texture Play: For those who prefer extra texture, fold in some chopped toasted pecans or almonds into the custard mixture before baking. These nutty additions provide a delightful crunch and nutty undertone that perfectly balances the smooth custard.
• Dairy-Free Option: Replace sweetened condensed milk with coconut cream and use egg substitute for a completely dairy-free version that maintains the pie's luxurious, creamy consistency. Plant-based bakers can enjoy this delightful dessert without compromise.

How to Serve Cranberry Custard Pie Beautifully

• Festive Winter Wonderland Plating: Transform your cranberry custard pie into a magical winter scene by sprinkling powdered sugar like delicate snow across the top, then strategically place sugared cranberries and a sprig of rosemary to create a stunning seasonal presentation.
• Holiday Dessert Companion: Pair this rich pie with a warm cup of mulled wine or a creamy vanilla bean latte to enhance the cranberry's tartness and complement the smooth custard texture, creating a delightful after-dinner experience.
• Elegant Brunch Centerpiece: Slice the pie into elegant wedges and serve alongside a light champagne or sparkling apple cider for a sophisticated weekend brunch that will impress family and friends with its vibrant color and luxurious flavor profile.
• Textural Topping Adventure: Add a delicate crunch by sprinkling toasted almond slivers or candied pecans around the pie's edges, providing a nutty contrast to the silky custard and bright cranberry notes.

Best Practices for Storing Cranberry Custard Pie

• Fridge Freshness Strategy: Store your cranberry custard pie in an airtight container for up to 4 days, keeping it chilled to maintain its silky texture and prevent bacterial growth.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the entire pie 1-2 days before serving, allowing flavors to deepen and custard to set perfectly, making event planning stress-free.
• Freezing Finesse: Wrap the cooled pie tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil, then freeze for up to 3 weeks. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving to preserve its delicate consistency.
• Slice and Serve Hack: Cut clean pie slices by dipping your knife in hot water and wiping it dry between each cut, ensuring picture-perfect servings every time.

Velvety Cranberry Custard Pie

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.5 from 10 reviews

• Total Time: 6 hours 20 minutes
• Yield: 9 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Grandma’s cranberry custard pie combines tart berries with silky custard in a golden, flaky crust. Rich flavors and creamy textures welcome dessert lovers to savor each delectable slice.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 refrigerated pie crust or deep 9-inch pie shell (store-bought or homemade)
• 1 can (14 oz / 400 g) sweetened condensed milk
• 6 large egg yolks, at room temperature
• 4 cups (480 g / 17 oz) cranberries, fresh or frozen
• 1 cup (240 ml / 8 fl oz) freshly squeezed orange juice
• 1 tbsp orange zest (from approximately 2 oranges)

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Preheat Preparation: Configure the oven to a precise 350°F, creating an optimal baking environment for the delicate custard pie.
2. Crust Crafting: Roll the pie dough on a flour-dusted surface, forming a 12-inch circular canvas. Gently transfer and mold into a 9-inch deep-dish pie pan, artfully crimping the edges.
3. Crust Roasting: Line the raw crust with parchment and foil, anchoring with ceramic weights. Partially bake for 10 minutes, remove weights, and continue baking until golden, approximately 10 additional minutes.
4. Cranberry Transformation: Simmer cranberries with orange juice over medium heat, coaxing them to burst and release their vibrant essence. Blend thoroughly using an immersion blender, then strain through a fine-mesh sieve to create a silky, jewel-toned puree.
5. Filling Fusion: Whisk together sweetened condensed milk, egg yolks, cranberry puree, and orange zest until achieving a smooth, luxurious mixture. Pour the crimson custard into the pre-baked crust.
6. Baking Finale: Bake for 30-35 minutes, watching for a subtle tremor in the center when gently nudged. Shield crust edges with foil if browning too quickly. Allow the pie to cool completely on a wire rack for two hours.
7. Flavor Maturation: Refrigerate the pie for a minimum of four hours or preferably overnight, enabling flavors to meld and intensify.
8. Elegant Presentation: Adorn the chilled pie with billowing whipped cream, scattered fresh cranberries, glistening red currants, or delicate sugared rosemary sprigs, transforming it into a visual masterpiece.

Notes

• Crust Protection Strategy: Use parchment, foil, and ceramic weights during initial baking to prevent soggy or shrinking pie shell.
• Berry Transformation Technique: Simmer cranberries with orange juice on medium heat, coaxing them to burst and release maximum flavor before blending and straining.
• Cooling Wisdom: Allow pie to cool completely at room temperature for two hours, then refrigerate for minimum four hours to enhance flavor complexity and set custard perfectly.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 50 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 9
• Calories: 300
• Sugar: 24 g
• Sodium: 180 mg
• Fat: 12 g
• Saturated Fat: 7 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 41 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 5 g
• Cholesterol: 130 mg