The Fancy Trader Joe's Dessert I'm Buying Right Now To Serve On Thanksgiving

I keep a few on hand for impromptu holiday get-togethers.

As a native New Englander, I grew up looking forward to warm, humid days on Cape Cod (including Nantucket!). Hailing from Massachusetts, I also have fond memories of going to cranberry bogs on school field trips where we’d learn how the berries were grown, harvested, and made into tasty foods and beverages.

While I admit that it took me a few years to come around to the sharp taste of cranberry, I can now confidently say that I’m a true cranberry lover. Its tart flavor perfectly compliments otherwise sickly sweet desserts and expertly cuts through rich meals like Thanksgiving dinner.

So when Trader Joe’s released their seasonal Nantucket Style Cranberry Pie last year, I jumped at the opportunity to try it. And let’s just say, it's now a holiday season must-have in my household.

Trader Joe's Nantucket-Style Cranberry Pie

• Price: $6.99 for 6 servings

• Why I Love It: It's perfectly sweet-tart, has a crunchy, tender crust, and is perfect for keeping in the freezer for last-minute celebrations

Why I Love Trader Joe’s Nantucket Style Cranberry Pie

Although I grew up visiting my extended family on Cape Cod, where we’d often take day trips to Nantucket, I never tried a Nantucket-style pie as a child. Boy, was I missing out.

For me, this pie is more reminiscent of a pineapple upside-down cake than a traditional pie. It comes in an oven-safe pan with the cranberry mixture on the bottom and the tender, crunchy crust on top.

After sticking this pie pan in a 325°F oven for a quick 20 minutes, you simply invert it onto a platter to serve. This prevents the dreaded soggy bottom that often plagues many traditional pies. This pie’s crust also has large chunks of walnuts throughout. This brings a delicate nutty flavor, textural contrast, and general intrigue to the eating experience.

When it comes to the whole berry cranberry “filling,” this Nantucket-style pie offers the perfect balance of tart and sweet, ideal for those (like myself) who don’t love overly sweet desserts. However, if you want to sweeten it up a bit, I recommend topping the pie with a generous scoop of your favorite ice cream. A dollop of whipped cream or a drizzle of melted chocolate is absolutely scrumptious here as well.

And while the directions recommend serving this pie at room temperature, I prefer it a bit warm, though I can share from experience that it’s tasty both ways. Since it comes frozen, I love to buy a couple and have them on hand for the entire holiday season—as well as a few extras for any sudden cravings or impromptu get-togethers.

Run, don’t walk, to your nearest Trader Joe’s for this unique pie before it’s gone!