Delicious Crustless Maple Cranberry Pie: An Easy Nantucket-Style Dessert

Embrace the vibrant flavors of fall and winter with this incredibly easy and delightful crustless fresh cranberry pie. Sweetened primarily with rich maple syrup and just a touch of brown sugar, this recipe perfectly balances tart and sweet notes. Crafted with wholesome whole wheat flour and reduced sugar, this unique hybrid — part pie, part cake — serves beautifully as a light dessert, a charming breakfast coffee cake, or a satisfying snack. With a mere 10 minutes of hands-on preparation and eight simple ingredients, it’s a fuss-free treat that promises pure joy. Whether you’re baking for festive holidays, special brunches, or simply a cozy evening at home, this maple cranberry pie is a delightful indulgence you’ll want to savor time and again.

As the crisp air of autumn gives way to winter’s embrace, my kitchen often fills with the unmistakable aroma of fresh cranberries. These jewel-toned berries, with their characteristic tartness and burst of flavor, are a quintessential part of the holiday season. While many recipes opt for dried cranberries, which are fantastic for year-round enjoyment, there’s something truly special about the intense, vibrant taste of fresh cranberries that signals the true spirit of winter baking.

This desire for authentic seasonal flavor led me to create this incredibly easy maple cranberry pie. Often referred to as a “Nantucket pie” or an “upside-down cake,” it features a luscious bottom layer of fresh cranberries, generously coated with a delicate, lightly sweetened batter. The beauty of this approach lies in its simplicity and the way it highlights the cranberries, allowing their natural tang to shine through.

Instead of relying solely on traditional granulated sugar, I’ve chosen to sweeten this pie with pure maple syrup. This isn’t just a whim; it’s a deliberate choice born from my experience crafting homemade cranberry sauce. The pairing of maple and cranberry creates a complex, subtly caramel-like sweetness that complements the berries exceptionally well, enhancing their flavor rather than overpowering it. This combination is, quite simply, very, very good.

Beyond its fantastic taste, one of the biggest advantages of this recipe is the absence of a traditional pie crust. For many, dealing with pie crust can be a daunting or time-consuming task. This crustless version eliminates that step entirely, making it incredibly quick to prepare – less than 10 minutes of active time! Yet, it delivers all the comforting, delicious cranberry flavors we crave during the colder months. It’s the perfect, fast recipe for any holiday gathering, a festive brunch, or even an elevated snack when fresh cranberries are in season. The bonus? You can easily use frozen cranberries, making this a delightful possibility any time of year!

What is Nantucket Pie? The Crustless Cranberry Delight

You might be wondering about the “Nantucket pie” moniker. This style of pie is a classic American dessert, particularly popular in New England. It’s essentially a rustic, crustless pie or a form of upside-down cake where the fruit (in this case, cranberries) is placed at the bottom of the baking dish, and a simple batter is poured over it. As it bakes, the fruit softens and creates a jam-like layer at the bottom, while the batter forms a light, cake-like topping. The result is a wonderfully moist and flavorful dessert that’s much less fussy than a traditional pie, yet equally satisfying. Its charm lies in its simplicity and the beautiful way it showcases the fruit, making it an ideal candidate for tart, seasonal berries like cranberries.

Recipe Ingredients for Your Maple Cranberry Pie

Gathering the right ingredients is the first step to creating this amazing cranberry pie. You’ll be surprised how few and how simple they are!

Ingredient Notes & Smart Substitutions

Flexibility in the kitchen is key, and this recipe is quite forgiving. Here are some detailed notes and substitution ideas to ensure your cranberry pie is perfect, every time:

• Cranberries: Feel free to use either fresh or frozen cranberries. If you’re using frozen berries, there’s no need to thaw them beforehand; simply add them straight to the pie plate. This makes the recipe incredibly convenient to make year-round, regardless of fresh cranberry availability.
• Maple Syrup: I cannot stress enough how wonderfully maple syrup complements cranberries. Its deep, earthy sweetness is a match made in heaven for the tart berries. However, if pure maple syrup isn’t accessible or you prefer, you can substitute with traditional granulated cane sugar or honey. Just be mindful that the flavor profile will shift slightly.
• Flour: I typically use whole wheat pastry flour for a lighter, more tender crumb that still offers the nutritional benefits of whole wheat. This flour can sometimes be a bit harder to find. If that’s the case, a great alternative is to use a 50/50 blend of unbleached all-purpose flour and regular whole wheat flour or white whole wheat flour. You can also use entirely unbleached all-purpose flour for an even lighter texture, though you’ll miss out on some of the whole grain goodness.
• Pecans: Chopped pecans add a lovely crunch and nutty flavor that pairs well with the cranberries and maple. Chopped walnuts are another excellent substitution if you prefer. For those who aren’t fond of nuts, or if you want to make the pie entirely focused on the cranberries, simply omit them. In fact, if you skip the nuts, I recommend adding an extra 1/4 cup of cranberries to enhance the berry flavor even more – it’s a personal favorite! For extra crispiness, you can sprinkle the nuts on top of the batter just before baking instead of mixing them with the cranberries.
• Optional Glaze: This pie is designed to be less sweet than many traditional desserts, allowing the natural tartness of the cranberries to shine. To elevate it for a special occasion or simply to add a touch more indulgence, a simple powdered sugar and milk glaze is wonderful. Alternatively, for a simpler finish, sprinkle coarse sugar over the top of the batter before baking for a lovely sparkle and slight crunch, then leave it plain.

Orange-Cranberry Pie Variation: A Citrusy Twist

For an added layer of complexity and a bright, citrusy aroma, consider this delightful variation, inspired by my popular orange-cranberry sauce:

• Cranberry Layer Enhancement: Gently sprinkle the zest of one large orange directly over the cranberry layer before pouring the batter. This infuses the pie with a subtle yet distinct orange essence.
• Glaze Transformation: For the optional glaze, substitute fresh orange juice for the milk. This creates an orange-flavored glaze that beautifully complements the cranberries and enhances the overall citrus notes.

How to Make This Effortless Cranberry Pie

This recipe is designed for ease and efficiency. Follow these visual instructions and steps; the complete, detailed recipe with exact measurements can be found in the printable recipe card below.

Step 5: Add Optional Glaze and Serve. Once baked, remove the pie from the oven and let it cool on a wire rack. While it’s cooling, if you choose to glaze, whisk together powdered sugar and milk (or orange juice for the variation) in a small bowl until you reach a smooth, pourable consistency. Start with 1 tablespoon of liquid and add more, drop by drop, only if needed. Drizzle the glaze artfully over the cooled pie. This pie is delicious served either warm or cold, making it wonderfully versatile.

Tips for Success & Effortless Storage

As if taking just 10 minutes to assemble wasn’t enough, this crustless maple cranberry pie also excels in make-ahead convenience! You can bake the entire pie ahead of time and freeze it, making it an ideal candidate for holiday meal prep. It tastes just as fresh and delicious after thawing, offering incredible flexibility during busy times.

• Storage: Store the pie, covered, at room temperature for 1-2 days. For longer storage, refrigerate individual pieces in an airtight container or cover the entire pie thoroughly. It will keep well in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
• Freezing: This pie freezes beautifully! You can freeze the entire pie for up to 3 months. To do so, cover the top with plastic wrap or waxed paper, then wrap the entire pie plate securely with aluminum foil. Don’t forget to label it with the date! For individual portions, wrap slices in foil or place them in freezer-safe containers for up to 3 months. Thaw frozen pie overnight in the refrigerator before serving.
• Reheating: While delicious cold, sometimes a warm slice is just what you need. To reheat individual pieces, microwave them for 20-30 seconds, or warm them in an air fryer or toaster oven for a minute or two until heated through.

More Delicious Cranberry Recipes to Try

If you’ve fallen in love with the magic of cranberries, explore some of these other fantastic recipes from my kitchen:

• Wholesome Cranberry Crumb Loaves or Muffins
• Creative Bread Recipes Using Leftover Cranberry Sauce
• Hearty Orange Cranberry Bread (100% Whole Wheat)

I genuinely hope you cherish this crustless maple cranberry pie as much as I do. It’s a versatile, wholesome, and utterly delicious treat that brings warmth and flavor to any occasion. If you give it a try, please do leave a rating and review – I’d love to hear how it turned out for you!