Apple Cranberry Streusel Pie



First off let me say that I did see Paranormal Activity this weekend and loved it! It was very creepy. I highly recommend it to all the horror film buffs out there. If you like gore though then this might not be for you. No gore, just creepy. Did not do much of anything else this weekend since my son is sick with a cold. My middle son is also sick and most of his friends are sick. I know my youngest is so worried about getting the swine flu and I just keep reassuring him that all he has is a cold.

I made this apple pie today because I had a pie shell in the freezer that I needed to use already. Usually I make my own crust or use the refrigerated ones but this one definitely came in handy. This pie is ok.....I don't think that it was bursting with flavor but that could be my fault. I didn't have any apple pie spice which is what the recipe called for so I used pumpkin pie spice. I'm sure it would be much better with the applie pie spice. But it's still good and very simple to make. Besides, I still have lots of apples to use up!!!

1 baked pastry shell, unpricked (I used a premade one)
1/2 cup dried cranberries or dried tart cherries
6 large cooking apples, peeled, cored and sliced (I used Granny Smith's)
2/3 cup granulated sugar
3 tablespoons all purpose flour
1 teaspoon apple pie spice (I used pumpkin pie spice - big mistake!)
1 teaspoon finely shredded lemon peel
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup half and half or light cream
1/3 cup all purpose flour
1/3 cup toasted finely chopped pecans or walnuts
1/3 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
3 tablespoons butter

Prepare a baked pastry shell or premade one, but do not poke holes in it.
For filling, pour boiling water over cranberries or cherries. Let stand for 5 minutes; drain. Mix cranberries or cherries and apples; place in baked pastry shell. Combine granulated sugar, the 3 tablespoons flour, spice, lemon peel and salt. Stir in half and half. Pour over fruit.
For topping, combine 1/3 cup flour, the nuts, brown sugar and nutmeg. Using a pastry blender, cut in butter until pieces are pea-size. Sprinkle over filling.
To prevent overbrowning, cover edge of pie with foil. Bake in 375 degree F oven for45 minutes. Remove foil. Bake for 10 to 15 minutes more or until topping is golden and fruit is tender. Cool for 45 minutes on a wire rack; serve warm. Store any leftover pie, covered, in refrigerator.

This recipe comes from Better Homes and Gardens New Baking Book.

Comments

Ingrid_3Bs said…
It certainly looked good even if it wasn't quite up to par!

Hope your boys are feeling better soon!
~ingrid
Lara said…
I've never seen apple pie spice before--I'll have to look for it. IN any case, it looks beautiful!
Jenn said…
Yummy pie. I still have to see Paranormal. Haven't had the chance to see many movies lately. But it's definitely on my list of movies to watch.

I hope your son feels better soon, too.
Jennifer said…
I agree never seen apple pie spice before, good to know! Thanks for the Paranormal review, I am stoked to see it! I hope your babies are better soonly!
I was looking for interesting apple cakes to try, this one's looking so great! :)
Katy ~ said…
Yummmy! I happen to have all the ingredients, including the apple pie spice, but even if I didn't have it, it's just a combo of cinnamon, nutmeg, and smaller amounts of clove, I think, though other mixtures use allspice or cardamon. Either way, this sounds SUPER good.
Katy ~ said…
Yummmy! I happen to have all the ingredients, including the apple pie spice, but even if I didn't have it, it's just a combo of cinnamon, nutmeg, and smaller amounts of clove, I think, though other mixtures use allspice or cardamon. Either way, this sounds SUPER good.
La Bella Cooks said…
Oh yum, I love the apple and cranberry combo. This would be perfect for a holiday time pie.
Cassie said…
It certainly looks good! Love the combination of apples and cranberry -- sweet and tart and delicious!
teresa said…
oh my goodness! i love this, what a great combination!
i just happen to have some apple pie spice and am going to give this one a try. I tlooks really good!
George Gaston said…
Debbie, this looks like a great fall pie. And your 'streusel' topping is a winner. I am absolutely going to give this a try. Thanks...
The Blonde Duck said…
Struesel..apple...cranberry...pie...

I think I might die of joy.
Pam said…
I love apples, craberries and streusel - so this pie is calling my name.
Mary Bergfeld said…
This sounds really good. I can't wait to give it a try.
Pamela said…
I don't think I even knew that there was a spice called Apple Pie Spice. Looks nice, though. The topping looks so yummy.
Reeni said…
This sounds scrumptious with the cranberries and streusel! Hope your kids are feeling better!
Anonymous said…
I make an apple cranberry crisp. It makes sense that it would be good in a pie shell.
Amanda said…
Oh I bet the combination of apple and cranberry was divine!
ann low said…
My kids love apple pie. Would like to try this. Thanks for sharing :D
Nutmeg Nanny said…
That topping looks great! I just want to pick little pieces off the top right now:0
Cate O'Malley said…
I'm with you on the apples to use up - this pie looks like the perfect vehicle for it. Love the streusel topping!
Dewi said…
Your pie sounds really delicious Debbi.
noble pig said…
Well, who knows maybe it was the apple pie spice...but it looks good!
Unknown said…
I can't wait to try this recipe!! I am going to add pecans to it :)