What’s Red, White and TASTY?
I wrote a book called A Baker’s Field Guide to Christmas Cookies and it was one of my best sellers. In it I created what I called Cranberry Snowdrift Bars, which are a bar-cookie version of this Low FODMAP Cranberry Snowdrift Pie. I also found a version in a book that I love, called First Prize Pies.
If you are a pie lover, get that book! If you are a cookie lover, get my book! But first, make this Low FODMAP Cranberry Snowdrift Pie.
Crust, Filling & Meringue Topping
Many a pie is based on the tried-and-true combination of crispy crust, juicy fruit filling and billowy, sweet meringue. We often think of apples for the filling or maybe pumpkin but how about cranberry? If you think cranberries are just for sauce, this recipe will prove otherwise.
Similarly to rhubarb, they are tart and sweet and create a fantastic pie filling. The crust is pre-baked to keep it crisp. The cranberry filling is as easy to make as cranberry sauce and as long as you use scrupulously clean bowls and beaters, your meringue will dramatically increase in volume and create a light-as-a-cloud topping for your very homespun, yet elegant, pie.
For more information on cranberries and their FODMAP status, please read our Explore an Ingredient article on Cranberries.
Low FODMAP Cranberry Snowdrift Pie
This Low FODMAP Cranberry Snowdrift Pie is tart and sweet and a great addition to your holidays.
Ingredients:
Crust:
- Half a batch of All Butter Pie Crust, ready to roll out
Filling & Topping:
- 4 cups (420 g) fresh or frozen cranberries
- 1 cup (198 g) plus ¼ cup (50 g) sugar, divided
- 1 cup (240 m) water
- 3 large eggs, yolks and whites separated
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1/4 teaspoons salt
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
Preparation:
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For the Crust: Position rack in top third of oven. Preheat oven to 400°F/200°C. Coat a 9-inch (23 cm) pie plate with nonstick spray.
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Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface to a 13-inch (33 cm) disc. Fit into prepared pie plate, fold edges under and crimp. Line with aluminum foil or a large paper coffee filter and fill with pie weights. Bake for about 10 minutes or until it is beginning to color. Remove weights and foil/paper and continue to bake until fully baked and light golden brown. Cool on rack.
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For the Filling: Stir together the cranberries, 1 cup (198 g) of sugar and water in a saucepan and bring to a simmer over low-medium heat. Simmer for a few minutes or until cranberries begin to pop.
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Meanwhile, whisk together the egg yolks, cornstarch and salt in a heatproof bowl until smooth. Drizzle a little of the hot cranberry liquid over the yolk mixture to temper it, then whisk it into the saucepan with the cranberry filling. Bring to a simmer and cook, stirring often, for about 1 to 3 minutes or until thickened and glossy. Remove from heat and whisk in butter and vanilla. Allow to cool until just warm. Scrape into pie shell.
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For the Topping: In a clean, grease-free bowl, whip the egg whites with an electric mixer on high speed until frothy. Add the cream of tartar and continue beating until soft peaks form. Gradually add the remaining ¼ cup (50 g) sugar and keep beating until the meringue is stiff and glossy. Use a silicone spatula to scrape out the meringue onto the cranberry filling. Use a spoon to spread it around, covering the cranberry filling completely and make attractive swirls, whorls and peaks. Use a kitchen or propane torch to brown the meringue. You can also use your broiler; watch carefully as the meringue browns quickly. The pie is best served shortly after applying the meringue.
Notes:
Tips
- Do-Ahead Tips: You could make the cranberry filling two days ahead. Refrigerate it overnight in an airtight container but bring it back to room temperature before applying meringue. You can pre-bake the crust the day before.
Nutrition
All nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered estimates. Actual nutritional content will vary with brands used, measuring methods, portion sizes and more. For a more detailed explanation, please read our article Understanding The Nutrition Panel Within Our Recipes.
