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5 from 1 vote
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Ginger Molasses Cranberry Pie with Swiss Meringue

Made with an ultra flaky pie crust, this pie has a lower cranberry filling, a ginger molasses pastry cream center, and silky swiss meringue topping.
Servings10 slices
AuthorSloane

Equipment

Ingredients

For the Pie Crust:

  • 160 g all-purpose flour
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 113 g butter, cold
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla paste
  • 25 g vodka
  • ½ cup ice water

For the Cranberry Filling:

  • 600 g cranberries, fresh or frozen
  • 75 g maple syrup
  • 50 g granulated sugar
  • 50 g dark brown sugar
  • ½ teaspoon cinnamon
  • ½ teaspoon ginger
  • ¼ teaspoon cloves
  • ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
  • ¼ teaspoon allspice
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla paste

For the Pastry Cream:

  • 4 egg yolks
  • 135 g dark brown sugar
  • 15 g molasses
  • 14 g cornstarch
  • ½ teaspoon cinnamon
  • ½ teaspoon ginger
  • ¼ teaspoon cloves
  • ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
  • ¼ teaspoon allspice
  • 227 g whole milk
  • 28 g unsalted butter, room temp
  • 2 teaspoon vanilla paste

For the Swiss Meringue:

  • 105 g egg whites
  • 150 g granulated sugar
  • 1 ½ teaspoon vanilla paste

Instructions

For the Pie Crust:

  • In a medium bowl combine the flour and salt.
  • Cut the cold butter into cubes and toss in the flour.  
  • Using your fingers, cut the butter into the dry ingredients until quarter sized pieces are left. 
  • Add the vodka and a small amount of water, then toss with your hands to combine. 
  • Continue adding small amounts of water until the dough can hold together, but is not overly wet. 
  • Wrap the dough tightly in plastic wrap, then chill for one hour.
  • On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough out into a rough rectangle, fold in half, then again into quarters. Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and chill for another 30 minutes. 
  • Roll the dough out again into a rough rectangle and repeat the folding process. Shape the dough into a disk, wrap tightly in plastic wrap, and chill overnight. 
  • The next day, roll out the pie dough into a rough circle about ⅛″ in thickness.
  • Carefully place in the pie pan, pressing up against the sides. Cover and chill in the fridge for about 20 minutes.
  • Take the pie crust out and crimp the edges as desired. Dock the bottom of the crust all over with the tines of a fork, then chill for another 30 minutes.
  • Meanwhile, place a baking sheet in the oven and preheat it to 425 degrees F. 
  • Place a large piece of parchment paper over the pie crust and fill with pie weights or dried beans all the way up to the crimp. 
  • Place the pie pan on the hot baking sheet and bake for 18 minutes or until barely golden. 
  • Take the pan out, take all of the pie weights out, then brush the pie crust with an egg wash all over, except for the edges. 
  • Bake for an additional 3 minutes. Allow pie crust to cool completely before adding the cranberry filling. 

For the Cranberry Filling:

  • In a medium saucepan, combine all ingredients except vanilla. 
  • Heat over medium heat for 10-12 minutes, stirring often until the berries start to break down.
  • Reduce the heat to low and cook for 8-10 minutes, stirring frequently until it has thickened. 
  • Remove from heat, stir in vanilla, then pour onto a baking sheet to cool completely.
  • Once cool, pour into the par-baked pie crust and bake at 375 degrees F for 35-40 minutes.
  • Cool completely before topping with pastry cream.

For the Pastry Cream:

  • Heat the milk in a saucepan, and bring to a simmer or about 200 degrees F.
  • In a medium bowl, whisk the egg yolks, brown sugar, molasses, cornstarch, and spices together for 2-3 minutes until light in color.
  • Once the milk is simmering, slowly pour half into the egg-sugar mixture, whisking at the same time to temper the eggs. 
  • Pour everything back into the saucepan and heat over medium heat, whisking constantly. After a couple minutes, a layer of bubbles will form over the top and it will begin to thicken.
  • Once the bubbles disappear, continue whisking for one more minute, then remove from heat.
  • Stir in the butter and vanilla.
  • Immediately spread on top of the cooled cranberry filling. 
  • Press plastic wrap directly up against the pastry cream and chill the pie in the fridge overnight. 

For the Swiss Meringue:

  • In a double boiler, heat the egg whites and sugar, whisking frequently until it reaches 160 degrees F or until the sugar is completely dissolved and the egg whites do not feel grainy.
  • Transfer the bowl to the stand mixer with a whisk attachment. Whisk on high speed until soft peaks form, then add the vanilla. Continue whisking until stiff peaks form. 
  • Decorate the pie as desired, and enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 1slice | Calories: 424kcal | Carbohydrates: 68g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 0.5g | Cholesterol: 111mg | Sodium: 228mg | Potassium: 195mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 49g | Vitamin A: 530IU | Vitamin C: 8mg | Calcium: 79mg | Iron: 1mg
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