Cranberry-Apple Pie with Pecan Shortbread Crust

Cranberry-Apple Pie with Pecan Shortbread Crust Recipe
Photo: Iain Bagwell; Styling: Heather Chadduck

Recipe from

Recipe Time

Hands-on: 30 Minutes
Total: 3 Hours, 55 Minutes


1 cup finely chopped pecans
1 1/2 cups butter, softened
3/4 cup powdered sugar
3 cups all-purpose flour
3 pounds Gala apples
1 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
3/4 cup sweetened dried cranberries
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 tablespoons butter, melted
Toasted pecan halves, powdered sugar


1. Prepare Crust: Preheat oven to 350°. Bake pecans in a single layer in a shallow pan 4 to 5 minutes or until lightly toasted and fragrant, stirring halfway through. Cool completely (about 20 minutes).

2. Meanwhile, beat butter at medium speed with an electric mixer 1 minute or until creamy; add powdered sugar, beating well. Gradually add flour, beating at low speed until mixture is no longer crumbly and starts to come together into a ball. Stir in pecans. Shape one-third of dough into an 8-inch log; wrap in plastic wrap, and chill until ready to use. Press remaining dough on bottom and up sides of a 9-inch springform pan. Cover and chill crust.

3. Prepare Filling: Peel apples. Cut into 1/4-inch-thick wedges. Toss together apples and next 4 ingredients. Spoon mixture into prepared crust. Drizzle with melted butter.

4. Cut reserved dough log into 8 (1-inch) pieces. Gently shape each piece into a 6- to 8-inch rope. Lightly press each rope to flatten into strips. Arrange strips in a lattice design over filling.

5. Bake at 350° for 1 hour to 1 hour and 10 minutes or until juices are thick and bubbly, crust is golden brown, and apples are tender when pierced with a long wooden pick, shielding with foil during last 30 minutes to prevent excessive browning. Cool completely in pan on a wire rack. Remove sides of pan.


November 2012
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