Go Back
+ servings
chinese five spice cranberry apple pie in a white pie dish on a marble counter with fresh cranberries.

Chinese Five Spice Cranberry Apple Pie

Mimi Council
This warm and cozy homemade apple pie is perfectly spiced with my secret ingredient—Chinese five spice! This spice mix adds so much depth of flavor with warm and spicy notes. Impress all your guests this holiday season with this Chinese Five Spice Cranberry Apple Pie!
5 from 2 votes
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Chill Time 4 hours
Total Time 5 hours 30 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Makes 8 servings
Calories 468 kcal

Equipment

  • Digital Food Scale
  • Stand Mixer
  • Mixing Bowl
  • 9-Inch Pie Pan
  • Rolling Pin
  • Whisk

Ingredients
 
 

Crust

  • 113 grams salted butter (cold)
  • 127 grams all purpose flour (plus more for rolling)
  • ½ teaspoon cane sugar
  • ¼ cup cold water

Filling

  • 57 grams cane sugar
  • 57 grams light brown sugar (packed)
  • 21 grams all purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon cornstarch
  • 1 teaspoon Chinese Five Spice
  • ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 2 Braeburn Apples
  • 142 grams cranberries

Topping

  • 95 grams all purpose flour
  • 113 grams cane sugar
  • ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ½ teaspoon Chinese Five Spice
  • 85 grams salted butter (melted)

Glaze

  • 71 grams powdered sugar (sifted)
  • 1 tablespoon water

Instructions
 

  • To make the crust: In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, add the flour, and cane sugar. Turn on low for two to three rotations to combine the dry ingredients.
  • Remove the butter from the fridge and chop into small cubes. The smaller the cubes, the flakier the crust: Cut the stick of butter into four and then chop into small cubes from there. Add the cold, cubed butter to the flour mixture. Measure out the cold water and have it ready.
  • Turn the mixer on low and slowly start to incorporate the ingredients. Gradually turn the mixer to medium speed. Once the butter mixture looks like wet sand, immediately add in all the cold water. As soon as the dough comes together, stop the mixer.
  • Have a piece of plastic wrap ready, and form it into a disk and wrap in plastic wrap. Allow to cool in the fridge for at least 4 hours or overnight.
  • Preheat the oven to 350°F.
  • To make the filling: In a medium bowl, add the cane sugar, light brown sugar, flour, cornstarch, Chinese Five Spice, and cinnamon. Mix together to combine completely.
  • Slice the apples, leaving the skins on, add to the sugar and flour mixture and coat completely. Add the cranberries and mix together. Set aside.
  • To make the topping: In a medium bowl, add the flour, sugar, cinnamon, and Chinese Five Spice and swirl together. Add the melted butter and stir with a spatula until combined. Set aside.
  • Grease a 9-inch pie pan with butter. Remove the pie dough from the fridge. Remove the plastic wrap and place on a floured surface. Roll out the into a disk that is ¼-inch thick, it should be about 11-inches in diameter. Place the pie dough into the pie pan, and press lightly to form against the pan. It should be large enough that the dough folds right over the top of the pan.
  • Roll the excess dough into the pie pan so it’s even with the edges of the pie pan. Flute the edges by using your thumb and index finger of your right hand to pinch the rolled edge of dough and push your index finger of your left hand into it to create the “flute”. Continue around the entire pie to flute the edges.
  • Add the filling into the pie pan and spread evenly. Crumble the topping on top of the pie.
  • Bake for 1 hour and 15 minutes, or until golden brown. Allow to cool completely.
  • To make the glaze: In a small bowl, add the powdered sugar and water and whisk together. Drizzle over the top of the pie.
  • Store at room temperature for up to 3 days.

Video

Notes

Tips
  • Always weigh ingredients for the best results.
  • If you are new to making pie crust, check out How to Make Pie Crust in a Mixer for a full tutorial and tons of tips and tricks for making pie crust.
  • I use fresh cranberries, but frozen is also okay to use! Just be sure to thaw frozen cranberries in the fridge for 24 hours, drain off excess liquid, then they are ready to use.
  • It's best to use an aluminum, cast iron, or stainless steel pie pan. This will ensure the most buttery, flaky crust and ensure you don't get a soggy bottom! Check out my post The Best Nontoxic Pie Pans to Bake With for more info. (I baked this pie in an aluminum pan and transferred it to this pretty white ceramic one for photos, which you can also do!).
  • You can make this pie a day in advance. Just store in a cool, dry place.
  • High Altitude — Bake at 350°F for 1 hour or until golden brown.

Nutrition

Calories: 468kcalCarbohydrates: 70gProtein: 4gFat: 21gSaturated Fat: 13gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 53mgSodium: 164mgPotassium: 123mgFiber: 3gSugar: 43gVitamin A: 657IUVitamin C: 5mgCalcium: 28mgIron: 2mg
Want more recipes?Follow along on @mimisorganiceats for more inspiration!