Apple Cranberry Tart

This Apple Cranberry Tart is the perfect holiday dessert with its flaky walnut crust, sweet and tart filling, and crumbly streusel topping. The combination of apples, cranberries, and warm spices like cinnamon and nutmeg creates a festive treat that’s as beautiful as it is delicious. Ideal for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or any special occasion, this tart is sure to impress your guests and become a seasonal favorite.

If you’re looking for a show-stopping dessert that feels both comforting and sophisticated, this Apple Cranberry Tart is exactly what you need. The combination of sweet apples, tart cranberries, and warm spices creates a flavor medley that’s perfect for any holiday or special occasion.

I don’t know about you, but I enjoy baking with cranberries this time of year. My reasons? Here’s a couple of them: First, cranberries are delicious. That burst of fresh tartness helps to cut the sweetness of a lot of holiday desserts. Secondly, cranberries are beautiful. Their brilliant red color and little round shape add to the visual appeal of both sweet and savory dishes.

In this recipe, I used these luscious berries to dress up a standard apple tart for fall and winter. This Apple Cranberry Tart would be a delicious dessert for Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s, Valentine’s or anything you’re celebrating during the next few months.

Besides the cranberries, this tart recipe has hints of other seasonally inspired flavors. The crust incorporates finely chopped walnuts, and the filling is sprinkled with orange zest, ginger, cinnamon, allspice, and nutmeg. It truly is an amazing combination of flavors. (Plus, it smells wonderful!)

Now that I’ve tempted you with all the tasty details, let me walk you through the recipe.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• This Apple Cranberry Tart perfectly balances sweetness and tartness, making every bite an explosion of warm, seasonal flavors. The combination of juicy cranberries, crisp apples, and fragrant spices like cinnamon and nutmeg captures the cozy essence of fall and winter, making it a dessert that’s hard to resist.
• The buttery, nutty crust is a game-changer. With the addition of finely chopped walnuts, it brings a subtle crunch and rich flavor that elevates this tart beyond the ordinary. It’s a sturdy yet tender base that complements the filling beautifully.
• It’s a feast for the senses. From the aroma of the spices filling your kitchen as it bakes to the vibrant colors of the tart itself, this dessert brings a touch of elegance to any holiday table. It’s not only delicious but also stunning enough to impress your guests.

Looking for more cranberry recipes for the holidays? I have them! Check out this collection of cranberry-based recipes. I have everything from cocktails to cake!

Ingredients

Let’s gather up the ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need to make this Apple Cranberry Tart.

• Egg yolk: Adds richness to the crust, helping to bind the ingredients together for a tender texture.
• Half-and-half: Brings a touch of creaminess to the crust, ensuring a soft and flaky base.
• Vanilla extract: Infuses the crust and streusel with a warm, aromatic sweetness that enhances the tart’s flavors.
• All-purpose flour: The foundation for the crust and streusel, providing structure and stability.
• Sugar: Sweetens both the crust and filling, balancing the tartness of the cranberries.
• Salt: Enhances all the flavors, from the buttery crust to the sweet and spiced filling.
• Unsalted butter: Used in the crust and streusel, it creates a rich, buttery flavor while giving the tart its tender crumb.
• Walnuts: Finely chopped and incorporated into the crust, they add a nutty depth and delightful crunch.
• Apples: Provide natural sweetness and a tender texture, with Granny Smith apples adding a pleasant tartness.
• Cranberries: Fresh and bursting with tart flavor, they brighten the filling with a pop of color and acidity.
• Bourbon (optional): Adds a subtle warmth and complexity to the filling, perfect for elevating the dessert.
• Orange zest: Lends a bright, citrusy note that complements the sweetness of the apples and cranberries.
• Ginger: Offers a mild spiciness that pairs beautifully with the warm flavors of the filling.
• Cinnamon: Adds classic warmth and depth, making the tart feel quintessentially seasonal.
• Nutmeg: A pinch of nutty spice that enhances the complexity of the filling.
• Allspice: Brings subtle warmth and a hint of clove-like flavor to the spiced filling.
• Brown sugar: Adds caramel-like sweetness to the streusel topping, giving it a rich, deep flavor.

How to Make

Okay, ready to bake? Let’s do it!  I’ll still take you through the steps below. I’ve also provided a full ingredient list and detailed instructions in the printable recipe card below. 

1. Begin by preheating your oven to 400 degrees F. In a small bowl, mix the egg yolk, half-and-half, and vanilla. Set aside.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, and salt. Add the butter and then use a pastry cutter, to cut it in until it’s about the size of peas. Stir in the egg mixture and combine with a spoon. Add the chopped walnuts and mix with your hands to thoroughly combine. The dough will be crumbly.

3. Add the mixture to a deep 9.5-inch diameter tart pan with a removable bottom. (This is the one I have.) Press the dough mixture into the sides and bottom of the pan to create a 1/4-inch thick crust. Prick the bottom of the crust with a fork and place in the freezer for about 10 minutes. Remove and bake for 15 minutes until the crust just begins to brown. Remove from the oven to cool.
4. Adjust the oven to 350 degrees F.
5. To a large bowl, add the apples, cranberries, bourbon, sugar, flour, orange zest, spices, and salt. Mix with a spoon to evenly combine. Pour this mixture into the prepared crust.

6. In a small bowl, prepare the streusel topping by mixing the flour, brown sugar, and salt. Add the melted butter and vanilla. Combine with your fingers until the mixture begins to clump together. Sprinkle this mixture on top of the tart. Add cranberries for garnish.

7. Bake at 350 degrees F for 50-60 minutes or until the apples are tender when poked with a fork. (If the tart begins to brown too quickly, cover it with a piece of foil during the rest of the baking process.) Before serving, allow the tart to cool until it is barely warm.

And that’s a wrap! Allow the tart to cool a bit before serving. I recommend serving it slightly warm, but it’s equally delicious at room temperature. (I should know. – I had a piece for breakfast the day after I made it. Ha!)

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make this tart ahead of time?
Absolutely! This tart can be baked a day in advance and stored at room temperature, covered loosely with foil. If you prefer to serve it warm, gently reheat it in the oven at 300°F for about 10-15 minutes before serving.

What type of apples work best for this recipe?
Granny Smith apples are ideal because their tartness balances the sweetness of the filling, and they hold their shape well during baking. If you prefer a sweeter apple, Honeycrisp or Braeburn are great alternatives.

Can I freeze the tart?
Yes, you can freeze the baked tart for up to three months. Let it cool completely, then wrap it tightly in plastic wrap followed by aluminum foil. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat in the oven before serving to restore its texture.

Is the bourbon necessary?
Not at all! The bourbon is optional and adds a subtle warmth to the filling, but the tart will still be delicious without it. If you’d like a non-alcoholic alternative, a splash of apple juice or orange juice works beautifully.

Can I use frozen cranberries?
Yes, frozen cranberries can be used in place of fresh. There’s no need to thaw them first; just add them directly to the filling. Keep in mind that frozen cranberries may release a bit more liquid during baking.

Do I need a tart pan with a removable bottom?
While a tart pan with a removable bottom makes serving easier, it’s not essential. You can use a regular tart or pie pan, but be sure to grease it well to make removing slices easier.

Let me know if there’s anything you’d like to tweak or add!

More Cranberry Recipes You’ll Love

• Cranberry French Toast
• Cranberry Pecan Pie
• Cranberry Old Fashioned
• Sugared Cranberries
• Homemade Cranberry Cordial
• Cranberry Orange Walnut Tassies

This Apple Cranberry Tart is a dessert recipe that you and your family and guests will love this holiday season and beyond. All of the flavors blend beautifully – buttery nutty crust, sweet and tart filling, and crumbly goodness on top. What’s not to like?

If you give this recipe a try, I’d love to hear what you think! Please stop back and leave a comment and a 5-star rating below. 

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Apple Cranberry Tart

This Apple Cranberry Tart is a delicious dessert that’s not only gorgeous, but bursting with warm, sweet, and tart seasonal flavors. If you’re looking for a new holiday dessert, this is a great candidate.

5 from 5 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Keyword: apple, christmas, cranberry, dessert, holiday, tart

Prep Time: 30 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour hour

Total Time: 1 hour hour 30 minutes minutes

Servings: 10

Calories: 491kcal

Ingredients

Crust:

• 1 egg yolk
• 3 tablespoons half-and-half
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup cold unsalted butter cut into cubes
• 1/2 cup walnuts finely chopped

Cranberry Apple Filling:

• 3 large apples peeled, cored, and sliced (I used Granny Smith apples.)
• 2 1/2 cups fresh cranberries
• 1 tablespoon bourbon optional
• 2/3 cup sugar
• 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon orange zest
• 1/2 teaspoon ginger
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon allspice
• 1/3 teaspoon salt

Streusel:

• 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter melted
• 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Pinch of salt
• Additional cranberries for garish

Instructions

• Begin by preheating your oven to 400 degrees F. In a small bowl, mix the egg yolk, half-and-half, and vanilla. Set aside.
• In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, and salt. Add the butter and then use a pastry cutter, to cut it in until it’s about the size of peas. Stir in the egg mixture and combine with a spoon. Add the chopped walnuts and mix with your hands to thoroughly combine. The dough will be crumbly.
• Add the mixture to a deep 9.5-inch diameter tart pan with a removable bottom. Press the dough mixture into the sides and bottom of the pan to create a 1/4-inch thick crust. Prick the bottom of the crust with a fork and place in the freezer for about 10 minutes. Remove and bake for 15 minutes until the crust just begins to brown. Remove from the oven to cool.
• Adjust the oven to 350 degrees F.
• To a large bowl, add the apples, cranberries, bourbon, sugar, flour, orange zest, spices, and salt. Mix with a spoon to evenly combine. Pour this mixture into the prepared crust.
• In a small bowl, prepare the streusel topping by mixing the flour, brown sugar, and salt. Add the melted butter and vanilla. Combine with your fingers until the mixture begins to clump together. Sprinkle this mixture on top of the tart. Add cranberries for garnish.
• Bake at 350 degrees F for 50-60 minutes or until the apples are tender when poked with a fork. (If the tart begins to brown too quickly, cover it with a piece of foil during the rest of the baking process.) Before serving, allow the tart to cool until it is barely warm.

Notes

Deep Dish Removable Bottom Tart Pan found here.

Nutrition

Calories: 491kcal | Carbohydrates: 61g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 26g | Saturated Fat: 14g | Cholesterol: 76mg | Sodium: 479mg | Potassium: 159mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 31g | Vitamin A: 724IU | Vitamin C: 7mg | Calcium: 32mg | Iron: 2mg