Nantucket Cranberry Pie

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Nantucket cranberry pie is pure holiday magic—a delightful mix of pie, cobbler, and cake that’s incredibly easy to whip up.

Nantucket cranberry pie on plates with whipped cream.

Adapted from an old Gourmet magazine recipe by the late food writer and novelist Laurie Colwin, Nantucket cranberry pie is not actually a pie but rather a cross between a pie, a cobbler, and a cake. It is the easiest dessert you can imagine—and, yet, astonishingly delicious. Whole fresh (or frozen) cranberries and pecans are scattered into a pie dish, covered in sugar, and then topped with a simple one-bowl cake batter. As the dessert bakes, the cranberries burst, mingling with the cake batter and pecans to create a dessert that is buttery, tart, sweet, and crunchy. The “pie” can be served warm or at room temperature, plain or topped with unsweetened or very lightly sweetened whipped cream (the dessert itself is plenty sweet).

“Soooo yummy! A new favorite that will be made every winter for the rest of my life!”

Elizabeth

Why Is The Dessert Named After Nantucket?

The origin of the recipe is unclear, but one could assume it’s because cranberries are grown primarily in the northeastern United States with Massachusetts having some of the oldest cranberry vines dating back to the time of the Pilgrims. Fresh cranberries are easy to find during the holiday season and can be frozen for use year round; there is no need to thaw them before using. If you have an abundance of cranberries, you might also enjoy my cranberry nut bread or cranberry apple crumble.

What You’ll Need To Make Nantucket Cranberry Pie

nantucket cranberry pie ingredients

  • Butter – Used in both the cranberry pecan base and the topping to add richness and help bind the ingredients.
  • Cranberries – Fresh or frozen, they bring a tart, juicy contrast to the sweet topping. If using frozen cranberries, add a few minutes to the bake time.
  • Pecans – Coarsely chopped for texture and added crunch in the cranberry base.
  • Granulated sugar – Sweetens both the cranberry pecan base and the topping, balancing the tartness of the cranberries.
  • Large eggs – Provide structure and richness to the topping. Note that there is no leavening agent in the cake batter; the eggs alone act as a leavening.
  • Vanilla and almond extracts – Add warmth, depth, and a subtle nutty flavor to the dessert.
  • All-purpose flour – Gives the topping its structure and light, cake-like texture.
  • Salt – Enhances the overall flavor and balances the sweetness.
  • Coarse sparkling or turbinado sugar – Sprinkled on top for a crunchy, sweet finish.
  • Jump to the printable recipe for precise measurements

Step-by-Step Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350°F and set an oven rack in the middle position.

Make the cranberry-pecan base: Add the melted butter to a 9-inch deep-dish pan and swirl it around to grease the sides (or use a pastry brush to brush the butter on the sides). Spread the cranberries and pecans evenly in the pan.

cranberries and pecans in buttered pie dish

Sprinkle with the sugar. Set aside.

sprinkling sugar over cranberries and pecans

Make the topping: In the bowl of an electric mixer, combine the the butter and sugar.

melted butter and sugar in mixing bowl

Beat on low speed until combined, then add the eggs, vanilla extract, and almond extract.

adding the eggs, vanilla, and almond extracts

Beat until smooth, then add the flour and salt.

adding the flour and salt to the batter

Mix until evenly combined.

batter for nantucket cranberry pie

Pour the batter over the cranberries and pecans in the pan, using a spatula to spread it evenly. Sprinkle the top evenly with the sparkling/turbinado sugar.

batter poured over cranberry mixture and sprinkled with coarse sugar

Bake for 40 to 45 minutes, until a cake tester inserted into the center comes out clean. (Keep in mind that the bottom of the dessert will remain gooey, so just check the cakey top.)

nantucket cranberry pie fresh out of the oven

Serve warm or at room temperature, plain or topped with unsweetened or very lightly sweetened whipped cream. The pie can be made up to 1 day ahead of time. Cover loosely with foil and store on the counter at room temperature.

Nantucket cranberry pie on plates with whipped cream.

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Nantucket Cranberry Pie

Nantucket cranberry pie is pure holiday magic—a delightful mix of pie, cobbler, and cake that’s incredibly easy to whip up.

Servings: 8 to 10
Prep Time: 20 Minutes
Cook Time: 40 Minutes
Total Time: 1 Hour

Ingredients

For the Cranberry Pecan Base

  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
  • 2 cups cranberries, fresh or frozen
  • ⅔ cup pecans, coarsely chopped
  • ½ cup granulated sugar

For the Topping

  • 12 tablespoons (¾ cup) unsalted butter, melted and cooled slightly
  • ¾ cup granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ¼ teaspoon almond extract
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour, spooned into measuring cup and leveled-off
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 tablespoon coarse sparkling or turbinado sugar, for topping

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F and set an oven rack in the middle position.
  2. Make the Cranberry-Pecan Base: Add the melted butter to a 9-inch deep-dish pan and swirl it around to grease the sides (or use a pastry brush to brush the butter on the sides). Spread the cranberries and pecans evenly in the pan and sprinkle with the sugar. Set aside.
  3. Make the Topping: In the bowl of an electric mixer, beat the butter and sugar on low speed until combined. Add the eggs, vanilla extract, and almond extract and beat until smooth. Beat in the flour and salt until evenly combined.
  4. Pour the batter over the cranberries and pecans in the pan, using a spatula to spread it evenly. Sprinkle the top evenly with the sparkling/turbinado sugar. Bake for 40 to 45 minutes, until a cake tester inserted into the center comes out clean. (Keep in mind that the bottom of the dessert will remain gooey, so just check the cakey top.)
  5. Remove the cake from the oven and let cool on a rack. Serve warm or at room temperature, plain or topped with unsweetened or very lightly sweetened whipped cream (the dessert is plenty sweet as is, and unsweetened cream is a nice foil; ice cream is a bit too sweet for this dessert).
  6. Make-Ahead/Freezer-Friendly Instructions: The dessert can be made up to 1 day ahead of time. Cover loosely with foil and store on the counter at room temperature. Leftovers can be frozen for up to 3 months. After it is completely cooled, double-wrap it securely with aluminum foil or plastic freezer wrap, or place it in a heavy-duty freezer bag. Thaw overnight on the countertop before serving.

Nutrition Information

Powered by Edamam

  • Per serving (10 servings)
  • Calories: 361
  • Fat: 22 g
  • Saturated fat: 11 g
  • Carbohydrates: 40 g
  • Sugar: 28 g
  • Fiber: 2 g
  • Protein: 3 g
  • Sodium: 134 mg
  • Cholesterol: 80 mg

This website is written and produced for informational purposes only. I am not a certified nutritionist and the nutritional data on this site has not been evaluated or approved by a nutritionist or the Food and Drug Administration. Nutritional information is offered as a courtesy and should not be construed as a guarantee. The data is calculated through an online nutritional calculator, Edamam.com. Although I do my best to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures should be considered estimates only. Varying factors such as product types or brands purchased, natural fluctuations in fresh produce, and the way ingredients are processed change the effective nutritional information in any given recipe. Furthermore, different online calculators provide different results depending on their own nutrition fact sources and algorithms. To obtain the most accurate nutritional information in a given recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe, using your preferred nutrition calculator.

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Comments

  • I’m going to make this to enjoy with Thanksgiving Day breakfast! It will give me energy for all the cooking ahead. Thanks, Jenn. Looks like another winner!

    • — Laura M. on November 20, 2022
    • Reply
  • I think I’ve just discovered Thanksgiving morning breakfast! Thanks for the wonderful recipe!

    • — Alex S. on November 20, 2022
    • Reply
  • Thank you! This is exactly what I was looking for.
    It’s something special and different for Thanksgiving dessert.

    • — Laura A on November 20, 2022
    • Reply
  • Hello, Jenn,

    I have this recipe from my sister in law in Homer, Alaska. She uses wild Alaskan cranberries and calls it “Cranberry Pie Cake!” It is delicious with either domestic or wild cranberries!

    • — Karen on November 20, 2022
    • Reply
  • Can you freeze this recipe?

    • — Yvonne on November 20, 2022
    • Reply
    • Yes it should freeze well. 🙂

      • — Jenn on November 20, 2022
      • Reply
  • I just wanted to thank you for this recipe, as I am positive I have just (rather unwillingly) added another item to our Thanksgiving menu (along with your Rustic French Apple Tart). It looks fantastic and simple, I must try it! I love that it can be made a day ahead, I adore cranberries and can already imagine the crunchy pecans and cake along side them. Your recipe newsletter that arrives via email to read along with my morning coffee have become a real visual delight. Thank you for another winner, my family thanks you for all of your gifts, and I wish you a very happy Thanksgiving!

    • — Sandy on November 20, 2022
    • Reply
    • Happy Thanksgiving, Sandy! 💕

      • — Jenn on November 20, 2022
      • Reply
  • Hi Jen,
    Sounds wonderful!
    Could you double this for a large group in a 9×13 cake pan?

    • — Laura on November 20, 2022
    • Reply
    • Hi Laura, Yes I think that will work; the bake time may be a bit longer. I’d love to know how it turns out!

      • — Jenn on November 20, 2022
      • Reply
  • Hi Jenn,

    LOVE your recipes! My son-in-law is allergic to most nuts – not hazelnuts. What do you think of substituting chopped hazelnuts for the pecans in the Cranberry Pie. I make a very similar apple version – and it always gets rave reviews – and is SO easy!

    susan

    • — Susan on November 20, 2022
    • Reply
    • Hi Susan, I think hazelnuts would be wonderful here. The original recipe actually calls for walnuts.

      • — Jenn on November 20, 2022
      • Reply
      • To serve at a buffet style dinner, can these be made in paper lined muffin pans?

        • — Jerrie on November 21, 2022
        • Reply
        • Hi Jerrie, I worry they would be too wet on the bottom for paper liners. Sorry!

          • — Jenn on November 21, 2022
          • Reply
  • Hi Jen,

    Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family! Your recipes are always spot on and part of our family’s everyday cooking. My son has a nut allergy so I cannot use the pecans or almond extract. Any suggestions?

    • — Jules on November 20, 2022
    • Reply
    • Hi Jules, You can leave both out; it will still be delicious. Happy Thanksgiving!

      • — Jenn on November 20, 2022
      • Reply
  • This looks pretty fantastic and I’m going to try it. Could you sub blueberries, for instance, for the cranberries at other times of year? Maybe chopped stone fruit?

    • — DavidM on November 19, 2022
    • Reply
    • Hi David, I do think it would work with other tart fruits, but you may have to reduce the sugar. Cranberries are super tart, so a lot of sugar is required to balance out the flavor. (The original Nantucket cranberry pie actually calls for an additional 1/4 cup sugar, but I find it a bit too sweet.)

      • — Jenn on November 19, 2022
      • Reply
      • This is a fantastic recipe! I’ve made a similar one with walnuts and orange juice and extract instead of pecans and almond extract. It is a huge hit with everyone who tries it! Best part: it is wonderful the next day as a breakfast treat. Warm it up a bit (even the microwave will do for an individual slice) and enjoy it all over again.

        • — Joy Buford on November 24, 2022
        • Reply

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