Cranberry Custard Pie

This stunning Cranberry Custard Pie is the ultimate holiday dessert – simple to make and bursting with bright flavor! Tart cranberries mingle with a smooth, creamy orange and vanilla custard all nestled in a flaky pie crust for a dessert that’s truly irresistible. This gorgeous pie is perfect for Thanksgiving or Christmas!

Love cranberries? Make sure to try these favorites: Cranberry Fluff, Cranberry Sauce and these Cranberry Orange Scones!

Cranberry Pie

This Cranberry Custard Pie is a beautiful blend of sweet and tart that instantly brings holiday cheer to your dessert table. Fresh cranberries add a bright pop of flavor while the creamy custard filling provides the perfect contrast – silky, smooth, and lightly scented with orange and vanilla. It’s a dessert that feels fancy but couldn’t be easier to make!

Whether you’re planning a Thanksgiving feast, Christmas dinner, or just want to enjoy the cozy flavors of the season, this pie is a true showstopper. The vibrant color, luscious texture, and irresistible flavor make it a standout among classic holiday pies. With just a few simple ingredients, you’ll have a dessert that looks as good as it tastes.

Why You’ll Love This Cranberry Pie

A beautiful blend of sweet custard and tart cranberries makes this Cranberry Custard Pie a must-bake for the holidays! With a hint of orange zest and optional rosemary, it’s an elegant dessert that tastes as good as it looks. This pie is destined to become a holiday favorite! Here’s why you’ll love it:

• Beautiful and Festive: The bright cranberries and creamy custard make this pie a stunning centerpiece for any holiday table. The contrast of colors is just gorgeous!
• Easy to Make: Take a shortcut and use a store-bought crust for the quickest and easiest pie of the season. The remaining ingredients simply get whisked together and poured into the pie crust. So easy!
• Balanced: The tart cranberries and sweet, creamy filling create the most delicious contrast in every bite.

This pie is perfect for both novice bakers and seasoned pros who want an impressive, low-effort dessert that delivers big on flavor and presentation.

Cranberry Pie Ingredients

This simple pie recipe doesn’t call for too many ingredients and quite possibly, with the exception of the cranberries, you likely will have all the necessary ingredients on hand during the holiday baking season. Each ingredient plays an important role in creating the pie’s texture and flavor so use the best quality ingredients you can. Here’s a quick look at what you’ll need and, as always, you can find the full printable recipe card at the end of the post.

How To Make Cranberry Custard Pie

This Cranberry Custard Pie is the perfect combination of simple and stunning. It looks impressive on dessert tables, tastes incredible and brings a burst of festive flavor to every bite! One of the simplest holiday pies to make!

Let’s take a quick look at how to make this recipe and as always, you can find the full printable recipe card at the end of this post.

1. Roll out your pie dough and place it in a 9-inch pie dish. Flute the edges if desired or braid additional pie crust as I did, and poke small holes in the bottom with a fork.
2. Spread the fresh cranberries evenly across the bottom of the unbaked pie crust.
3. Whisk together sugar, eggs, cream, flour, salt, orange zest and vanilla until smooth. Pour over cranberries.
4. Bake at 400°F for 10 minutes, then reduce to 350°F , cover edges with foil or a pie shield and bake for 40 to 45 minutes, or until custard is set. Let cool completely.

To make a braided crust, simply cut three thin strips of pie crust (additional pie crust) and braid together. Press firmly to the top of the edge of the pie crust.

Storage Information

Refrigerator: This pie can be made a day in advance and stored in the refrigerator until ready to serve. Cover it loosely with plastic wrap or foil to keep it fresh. Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 4 days.

Freezer: To freeze, wrap tightly in plastic wrap and then in foil. Place in a freezer safe ziploc bag and freeze for up to 1 month. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving. For best texture, enjoy chilled or at room temperature. 

Variations To Try

• Sprinkle a simple oat or brown sugar crumble on top before baking for extra sweetness and crunch. You could use the one from my Apple Crumble recipe if you like.
• Swap the orange zest for lemon zest for a brighter, tangier twist.
• Add a handful of chopped toasted pecans or almonds to the cranberries before adding the custard.
• A splash of almond extract or a pinch of cinnamon will create a cozy, aromatic variation of this pie.

Can I use frozen cranberries?

Yes! Frozen cranberries work perfectly. I prefer to thaw them first and then add them straight to the crust.

Does the pie need to be refrigerated?

Yes. Because of the custard filling, it should be stored in the refrigerator once cooled.

Can I make this pie ahead of time?

Absolutely! This pie tastes even better after chilling, so making it a day ahead is a great idea.

How do I know when the custard is done?

The custard should be mostly set with just a slight jiggle in the center. It will continue to firm up as it cools.

Trish’s Tips

• Let your pie cool completely before slicing so that the custard has time to set and it doesn’t fall apart when sliced.
• Use fresh orange zest for the best flavor – bottled versions don’t pack the same punch.
• For a perfectly flaky crust, make sure your pie dough stays cold before baking.
• Serve with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an extra-special touch.
• You must use fresh cranberries. If your cranberries have been frozen thaw them completely before using them. Canned cranberries will not work.

More Pie Recipes To Try

1. Coconut Cream Pie
2. Brown Sugar Pecan Pie
3. Mini Pumpkin Pies
4. Chocolate Bourbon Pecan Pie
5. Key Lime Pie