One of the best classic American desserts around!
One of the most “American” desserts out there is the pie! It’s delicious, it’s sweet, it’s just… a classic. You can’t go wrong with a good pie, and THIS cherry pie is more than good. Pies as a concept came over from Europe along with English colonists in the 1500s; cherries, along with apples, became a fast favorite.
There are a number of cherries you can use for your pie, but my personal favorite is black cherries. Something about the rich and juicy flavor of black cherries just reminds me of home. That’s because, when I was growing up, we lived for about a year in a house with a large black cherry tree in the backyard. But don’t worry if you don’t have your own cherry tree—if you can’t grow your own black cherries, store-bought is fine!
Cherry pie is simple yet delicious. The natural tartness and sweetness of cherries make for the perfect pie filling and a deliciously flaky pie crust is, well, not a cherry on top since there are literal cherries on top in this recipe, but definitely a very delicious part of the treat!
Choosing Cherries
You can buy canned cherries that have already been pitted if you’re after the easiest way to make this dessert. Be advised though: fresh cherries provide the best flavor! They are also the most work, given you’ll need to remove all the pits yourself. There are a few different ways to do this. You can use a knife to cut the edible parts away from the pit, you can use a cherry pitter, or you can use my preferred method and take a metal straw or a chopstick and push out the cherry pits.
How Do I Store Leftovers?
While it’s best eaten immediately, your cherry pie will last for 4 to 5 days if you keep it covered in plastic wrap in your fridge. You can also make the filling and store it frozen in your freezer for up to 3 months, then add to your crusts and bake when you’re ready.
Serving Suggestions
Serving à la mode (a.k.a. with ice cream) is the classic American way to present this pie! Just put a dollop of good ice cream next to warm pie and eat it together. You can make your own Vanilla Ice Cream, or get some from the store! Another great topping is Homemade Whipped Cream. Top it off with some powdered sugar and a cherry to serve with maximum effect.
Cherry Pie Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 homemade or store-bought pie crusts
- 5 cups fresh cherries pitted
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter cut into small pieces
- 1 large egg beaten (for egg wash)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F.
- In a large bowl, mix the cherries, sugar, cornstarch, lemon juice, and almond extract until the cherries are evenly coated. Allow the mixture to sit for 10 minutes.
- Place one pie crust in a 9-inch pie dish, ensuring it covers the bottom and sides.
- Pour the cherry mixture into the crust, and dot with pieces of butter.
- Cover with the second pie crust. Seal the edges and make slits in the top to allow steam to escape.
- Brush the top crust with the beaten egg to help achieve a golden-brown finish.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 45-55 minutes, or until the crust is golden and the filling is bubbly.
- Allow the pie to cool on a wire rack for at least 2 hours before serving.
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