Cranberry Pie with Streusel Topping: Sweet, Tart, and Perfect for the Holidays

When the holidays or cozy autumn evenings roll around, few desserts are as festive and comforting as Cranberry Pie with Streusel Topping. Bursting with tart cranberries and topped with a buttery, golden streusel, this pie is a perfect combination of sweet, tart, and crunchy textures. Unlike a traditional double-crust pie, the streusel topping adds an extra layer of flavor and a visually stunning finish.

This recipe is approachable for home bakers yet impressive enough for holiday tables. Whether you’re serving it for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or just a weekend treat, it’s bound to become a family favorite.

Ingredients

• Pie Filling:
  • 4 cups fresh or frozen cranberries
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
  • 2 tbsp cornstarch
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp orange zest
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
• Streusel Topping:
  • 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup rolled oats
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
• Pie Crust:
  • 1 pre-made pie crust or homemade double crust

Instructions

1. Preheat Oven: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Prepare a 9-inch pie pan with your pie crust.
2. Prepare Filling: In a medium saucepan, combine cranberries, granulated sugar, brown sugar, cornstarch, and salt. Cook over medium heat until cranberries start to burst, about 5–7 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in orange zest and vanilla extract. Let cool slightly.
3. Make Streusel: In a medium bowl, mix flour, oats, brown sugar, salt, and cinnamon. Cut in cold butter using a pastry cutter or fingers until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
4. Assemble Pie: Pour the cranberry filling into the prepared pie crust. Evenly sprinkle streusel topping over the filling.
5. Bake: Place pie on a baking sheet to catch any drips. Bake 35–40 minutes until topping is golden brown and filling is bubbling.
6. Cool: Let pie cool completely for at least 2 hours to allow filling to set before slicing.
7. Serve: Optional: dust with powdered sugar or drizzle with a simple glaze for extra presentation.

Tips for the Best Cranberry Pie

• Use Fresh or Frozen Cranberries: Both work well; just thaw frozen cranberries before cooking.
• Balance Sweetness: Adjust sugar levels if your cranberries are particularly tart.
• Make Ahead: Pie can be baked a day in advance and stored at room temperature or lightly covered in the fridge.
• Streusel Variations: Add chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts for extra crunch.
• Glaze Option: Brush a light apricot glaze over the streusel to enhance shine and sweetness.

Cranberry Pie with Streusel Topping

A festive cranberry pie topped with a buttery streusel, perfect for holidays or cozy autumn nights.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 25 minutes mins

Cook Time 40 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr 5 minutes mins

Servings: 8 slices

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Calories: 320

Ingredients

  

Pie Filling

• 4 cups fresh or frozen cranberries
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 0.5 cup brown sugar packed
• 2 tbsp cornstarch
• 0.25 tsp salt
• 1 tsp orange zest
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Streusel Topping

• 0.75 cup all-purpose flour
• 0.5 cup rolled oats
• 0.5 cup brown sugar packed
• 0.25 tsp salt
• 0.5 tsp cinnamon
• 0.5 cup unsalted butter cold, cubed

Pie Crust

• 1 pie crust pre-made or homemade

Equipment

• Mixing bowls
• Saucepan
• Pie pan
• Pastry cutter
• Oven

Method

 

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Prepare a 9-inch pie pan with pie crust.
2. In a medium saucepan, combine cranberries, granulated sugar, brown sugar, cornstarch, and salt. Cook over medium heat 5–7 minutes until cranberries burst.
3. Remove from heat and stir in orange zest and vanilla extract. Let cool slightly.
4. In a medium bowl, mix flour, oats, brown sugar, salt, and cinnamon. Cut in cold butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
5. Pour cranberry filling into pie crust and evenly sprinkle streusel topping over the filling.
6. Place pie on a baking sheet and bake 35–40 minutes until topping is golden and filling bubbles.
7. Cool completely for at least 2 hours before slicing.
8. Optional: dust with powdered sugar or drizzle with glaze before serving.

Notes

Add nuts to streusel or glaze for extra sweetness and presentation.

Creative Variations

• Apple-Cranberry Pie: Add 1–2 cups diced apples to the filling for a sweeter, autumn twist.
• Spiced Cranberry Pie: Add nutmeg, cloves, or allspice to the filling for warm holiday flavors.
• Mini Pies or Tarts: Use muffin tins to make individual servings for parties or gifts.
• Almond Streusel: Mix 1/4 cup finely chopped almonds into the streusel for a nutty variation.

Serving Suggestions

• Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.
• Pair with hot apple cider or spiced tea for a cozy dessert experience.
• Perfect for holiday brunch tables, family gatherings, or casual weekend treats.

Fun Facts

• Cranberries are native to North America and have been used by Indigenous peoples for centuries in food and medicine.
• The combination of tart cranberries with sweet streusel is a modern twist inspired by classic German fruit cakes and crumbles.
• Cranberry pies are particularly popular during fall and winter holidays due to their bright red color and festive flavor.

Why This Recipe Works

This Cranberry Pie with Streusel Topping works because it balances tart and sweet perfectly while offering a pleasing contrast between the creamy, juicy filling and the crunchy topping. Using simple pantry ingredients and a pre-made or homemade crust makes this recipe approachable without sacrificing flavor. It’s a dessert that looks as good as it tastes, making it ideal for gifting or entertaining.

Conclusion

Whether it’s Thanksgiving, Christmas, or a quiet autumn evening, this Cranberry Pie with Streusel Topping is a dessert that brings joy to every bite. Its rich, tangy filling combined with a buttery, crumbly topping makes it irresistible. With easy preparation, versatile variations, and beautiful presentation, it’s destined to become a holiday staple.