Apple – Cranberry Pie

🥧 Apple-Cranberry Pie 🍏🫐

What is it?
Apple-Cranberry Pie is a delectable dessert that combines the sweetness of apples with the tartness of cranberries. It features a flaky pastry crust, a flavorful filling, and a crumbly streusel topping. This pie is a delightful blend of seasonal flavors, making it a popular choice for fall and Thanksgiving celebrations.

History:
The history of Apple-Cranberry Pie is rooted in the culinary traditions of North America, particularly in the United States and Canada. Apples and cranberries are both native to North America, so it’s no surprise that they have been used together in various recipes for centuries. The combination of these two fruits in a pie likely evolved as a way to make the most of the autumn harvest. While there isn’t a specific documented history for this pie, it has become a beloved classic in the realm of fruit pies.

Components:

• Pie Crust: You’ll need a pie crust for the base. You can use a store-bought crust or make your own from scratch using flour, butter, salt, and cold water.
• Filling: The filling typically consists of sliced apples, fresh or frozen cranberries, sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and sometimes a bit of orange zest or juice to enhance the flavors.
• Streusel Topping: The streusel topping adds a sweet, crunchy element to the pie and is made from a mixture of flour, sugar, butter, and sometimes chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts.

Steps to Prepare:

1. Prepare the Pie Crust:

   • If using a store-bought crust, follow the package instructions.
   • To make your own crust, combine flour and salt, then cut in cold butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Gradually add cold water and form the dough into a ball. Chill for at least 30 minutes.

2. Prepare the Filling:

   • Peel, core, and slice the apples.
   • In a bowl, combine the sliced apples, cranberries, sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and any optional flavorings.

3. Assemble the Pie:

   • Roll out the pie crust and place it in a pie dish.
   • Add the apple-cranberry filling to the crust.

4. Prepare the Streusel Topping:

   • In a separate bowl, mix flour, sugar, and cold butter until it forms coarse crumbs. Stir in chopped nuts if desired.

5. Add the Streusel Topping:

   • Sprinkle the streusel topping evenly over the pie filling.

6. Bake:

   • Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
   • Place the pie in the preheated oven and bake for about 45-55 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown, and the filling is bubbling.

7. Cool and Serve:

   • Allow the pie to cool for at least 1 hour before serving. This helps the filling set.
   • Serve warm or at room temperature, optionally with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream.

Time Needed:
The total time to prepare and bake an Apple-Cranberry Pie is approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes. This can vary depending on your pie crust choice and the specific recipe you follow. Additional time should be allowed for cooling before serving.

Enjoy your delicious homemade Apple-Cranberry Pie! 🥧🍏🫐😋

Certainly! Here are the nutrition facts and some health information for Apple-Cranberry Pie:

Nutrition Facts (Approximate values for one slice, based on a standard 8-slice pie):

• Calories: Around 320-350 calories per slice.
• Total Fat: Approximately 15-20 grams.
• Saturated Fat: About 7-10 grams.
• Cholesterol: Roughly 15-25 milligrams.
• Sodium: Around 150-200 milligrams.
• Total Carbohydrates: Approximately 45-50 grams.
• Dietary Fiber: About 3-4 grams.
• Sugars: Roughly 25-30 grams.
• Protein: Around 2-3 grams.

Health Information:

1. Moderation: While Apple-Cranberry Pie is a delicious treat, it’s important to enjoy it in moderation due to its relatively high sugar and calorie content.

2. Fiber: The pie does provide some dietary fiber, thanks to the fruit filling, which can aid in digestion and help you feel full.

3. Antioxidants: Both apples and cranberries are rich in antioxidants, which can help protect your cells from damage caused by free radicals.

4. Vitamins and Minerals: Apples are a good source of vitamin C and dietary fiber, while cranberries contain vitamin C and vitamin K.

5. Saturated Fat: The saturated fat content in the pie comes from the butter used in the crust and streusel topping. It’s important to consume saturated fats in moderation for heart health.

6. Added Sugars: Keep in mind that the sugar content includes both naturally occurring sugars from the fruit and added sugars from the recipe. Excess sugar consumption should be limited as it can have adverse health effects.

7. Portion Control: To enjoy this pie without overindulging, consider smaller slice sizes or sharing with others.

Remember that specific nutritional values can vary depending on the recipe and ingredients used, so it’s a good idea to check nutrition labels or calculate the values if you have specific dietary concerns or restrictions. Enjoy your Apple-Cranberry Pie as an occasional treat while maintaining a balanced diet.