If you are searching for a truly stunning dessert to impress your friends and family, look no further than this Cranberry Meringue Pie Recipe. It masterfully combines the flaky goodness of an all-butter pie crust with a vibrant tart cranberry orange curd, crowned with a fluffy and golden meringue that feels like a cloud on your spoon. This recipe is a fresh take on the classic lemon meringue pie, perfect for holiday gatherings or any special occasion where you want that perfect balance of sweet and tangy with a decadent, airy finish. Trust me, once you try this Cranberry Meringue Pie Recipe, it will become a beloved staple in your recipe box.

Ingredients You’ll Need

A close-up view of a single layer of fresh bright red cranberries filling a silver pot, each berry glistening with a slightly wet texture and some sugar crystals visible on their surface, sitting against a white marbled background photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Every ingredient in this Cranberry Meringue Pie Recipe plays a starring role, from the fresh cranberries delivering zingy brightness to the silky butter that enriches the curd. Each component is straightforward yet essential to achieve that perfect harmony of texture, flavor, and color that makes this pie unforgettable.

Fresh cranberries: The star tart fruit that brings bold, vibrant flavor and festive color.
Granulated sugar: Sweetens the curd and balances the tartness of the cranberries.
Fresh orange juice: Adds bright citrus notes that complement the cranberries beautifully.
Orange zest: Intensifies the orange flavor and adds a lively aroma.
Unsalted butter: Brings smooth richness to the cranberry curd for a velvety texture.
Eggs and egg yolks: Create the custardy, thickened base of the curd.
Egg whites: Whipped to fluffy peaks for a light and airy meringue topping.
Cream of tartar: Stabilizes the meringue, giving it volume and sheen.
Kosher salt: Enhances all the flavors for perfect balance.
Flaky all-butter pie crust: The buttery, crisp foundation that holds it all together.

How to Make Cranberry Meringue Pie Recipe

Step 1: Prepare and Blind Bake the Pie Crust

Start by making your flaky all-butter pie crust, rolling it out to just the right thickness, and fitting it neatly into your pie dish. Blind baking with pie weights ensures the crust maintains its shape and achieves that tender, golden-brown perfection that provides the perfect vessel for the luscious filling. Taking this step is key to avoiding sogginess once the juicy curd goes in.

Step 2: Cook the Tart Cranberry Orange Curd

Simmer fresh cranberries with sugar, orange juice, and zest until the berries burst and meld into a fragrant, thickened sauce. Blending and pushing the mixture through a sieve will give you a silky smooth curd without any skins or pulp, which is essential for a velvety texture. Tempering the eggs with the hot mixture and gently cooking it further creates that custardy consistency that’s intense in flavor yet smooth as silk.

Step 3: Whip Up the Fluffy Meringue Topping

While the curd simmers, whip your egg whites with cream of tartar until soft peaks form, then gradually add sugar and salt while beating until your meringue is glossy and holds stiff peaks. This process delivers a cloud-like, stable meringue that bakes up beautifully with a golden exterior and soft inside, providing a fantastic contrast to the dense, tangy curd beneath.

Step 4: Assemble and Bake the Pie

Pour the steaming hot cranberry curd into your pre-baked crust and spread it evenly. Immediately spoon the meringue over the curd, making sure it touches the edges to seal in the filling, and create pretty swirls or peaks if you like. Bake on the bottom rack until the meringue is beautifully browned and set, tenting the pie with foil if it browns too quickly, giving you that classic meringue finish every time.

Step 5: Cool and Chill for the Perfect Slice

After baking, allow the pie to cool on a wire rack to let the layers set gently. Then chill it in the refrigerator for several hours to fully firm the curd and make slicing neat and satisfying. This resting time lets the flavors meld beautifully so every bite bursts with that perfect blend of tang, sweet, and airy delight.

How to Serve Cranberry Meringue Pie Recipe

A slice of pie with three layers is shown on a white plate. The bottom layer is a bright red, smooth fruit filling. Above it is a thick, fluffy white layer that looks soft and light. The top layer is a browned meringue with a slightly toasted texture, showing some small crispy peaks. The pie crust is golden and flaky, holding all layers together. A gold fork lies next to the pie slice on the plate. The background surface is white with a marbled texture, with the rest of the pie dish slightly visible behind the slice. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

To elevate the presentation, a sprig of fresh rosemary or a sprinkle of finely grated orange zest on top can add a lovely hint of aroma and a festive touch. A few whole cranberries nestled at the base of the meringue waves create inviting color contrast that will make your pie look as delightful as it tastes.

Side Dishes

This pie shines as the star dessert on its own but pairs beautifully with a generous dollop of softly whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream. Consider serving it alongside a warm cup of spiced tea or freshly brewed coffee to balance the pie’s bright tartness with cozy warmth.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, you can plate individual slices with a drizzle of cranberry reduction or a dusting of powdered sugar to add elegance. Serve sliced segments in clear glass dishes to show off the gorgeous layers, or cut mini tart versions of this Cranberry Meringue Pie Recipe for easy-to-share bite-sized treats.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Keep leftover pie tightly covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. This prevents the meringue from drying out and helps the cranberry curd maintain its luscious consistency, so it tastes just as divine the next day.

Freezing

While the cranberry curd itself freezes well, pies topped with meringue are trickier to freeze without texture loss. For best results, freeze just the curd separately in an airtight container, then bake and top with fresh meringue when ready to serve.

Reheating

Because the pie is best enjoyed chilled, reheating isn’t recommended. If you prefer it slightly less cold, let slices sit at room temperature for a bit rather than microwaving or warming in the oven, so the delicate meringue stays fluffy and light.

FAQs

Can I use frozen cranberries instead of fresh?

Absolutely! Frozen cranberries work fine and often are more convenient outside of cranberry season. Just be sure to thaw them before cooking so they break down evenly in your curd for that perfect texture.

What if I don’t have cream of tartar for the meringue?

Cream of tartar stabilizes the egg whites, but if you don’t have it, you can substitute with a few drops of lemon juice or white vinegar. These natural acids help achieve similar firmness and gloss in your meringue.

Can I make this pie without the pie crust?

While the crust adds buttery crunch and structure, you could try baking just the curd and meringue filling in ramekins for individual servings, but it won’t have quite the same texture contrast or stability as the full pie.

How can I prevent the meringue from weeping?

Make sure to spread the meringue right over the hot filling so it seals the curd fully. Also, bake it thoroughly until the peaks are set and golden. Avoid cutting the pie too soon, as cooling helps prevent moisture release.

Is this pie good for holiday meals?

Definitely! This Cranberry Meringue Pie Recipe is a festive crowd-pleaser with bright colors and flavors that perfectly complement holiday menus while standing out as a unique alternative to traditional pies.

Final Thoughts

There is something truly magical about the combination of tart cranberries, zesty orange, buttery crust, and pillowy meringue that makes this Cranberry Meringue Pie Recipe one of those dazzling desserts everyone will rave about. Whether you are baking for holidays, special occasions, or just because you want to treat yourself, this pie is guaranteed to bring smiles and happy sighs. Give it a try—you’ll wonder how you ever lived without it!