The Fall Staple That Should Replace Whipped Cream On Your Next Pumpkin Pie

As soon as fall arrives, you find your classic pumpkin pie recipe at the table once again, vibrantly orange and crowned in a puff of whipped cream. Year after year, without fail, this classic combination wraps up the meal on a sweetly satisfying note. This year, it might be time to let cranberry sauce take over the mantle. Sure, it's one of those creative pumpkin pie toppings that you probably hadn't considered before, but isn't that just more reason to try it?

Whereas pumpkin pie captures fall in all of its earthy and warm-spiced glory, cranberry sauce embraces the season's penchant for tart and rustic depth. Two beloved flavor facades of fall, meeting in the middle. The two are tied together by a tone of sweetness that feels so distinct to this time of the year, something both decadent and comforting at the same time. Spread over the top, it's the sauce's acidic richness that hits your palate first, instantly captivating the taste buds. The pumpkin pie's creamy, cozy base comes right after, melding into the mouth with its contrasting nuances. Boredom is never an issue with this dessert, not when you've got different fall flavors unraveling on your taste buds all at once.

Needless to say, it's usually as simple as spreading any of your favorite cranberry sauce recipes for Thanksgiving over the surface of your pumpkin pie before serving. Nothing beats the classic one, but spiced cranberry sauce couldn't be a more perfect match. It's also laced with the season's beloved spices like cinnamon and nutmeg. The more the merrier, so if you've got other fall fruits, throw them into the simmering pot as you're whipping up a batch. No less suitable are other condiments similar to the sauce, such as chutney, jam, compote, and jelly. They all can give your pie the luscious tart spin it needs.

On a slightly more elaborate level, a cranberry glaze is a fantastic option. Bubbling hot, thickly glossy, and flavor-imbued, it's your shortcut to a truly restaurant-worthy pumpkin pie. Just a notch further are poached cranberries. Each tiny berry is a soft flavor bomb, still as naturally bright and tart as they naturally are, but adorning a sugary coat that makes them (and the pie) irresistibly delicious.

Since pumpkin pie also comes with its own versatile range of spin-off recipes, there are always more desserts for you to slather cranberry sauce over. Sometimes, it comes in hand pie form, with pumpkin filling and cranberry sauce wrapped in golden, flaky crust. Other times, it's turned into mini pies, almost like tartlets, a plateful of which makes for the most delightful holiday party appetizer. A cheesecake rendition, layered with extra tanginess and melt-in-your-mouth softness, is another marvelous way to share that seasonal joy.