Best Cherry Pie Recipes

Best Cherry Pie Recipes

As I step into my kitchen, the smell of freshly baked cherry pie fills the air. It takes me back to my childhood. The sweet, tangy cherries and the buttery crust are a comfort and a joy.

That’s why I’m excited to share my favorite best homemade cherry pie recipe. It’s a tried-and-true treat that will make everyone want more.

Key Takeaways

• Perfectly sliceable with a thick almond-hinted cherry pie filling
• Golden brown buttery flaky pie crust
• Cherry flavor is front and center, with notes of vanilla and almond
• Lemon juice keeps the overall flavor fresh and bright
• Quartering some of the cherries and reducing juices ensures a perfectly set filling

The Perfect Homemade Cherry Pie

Ingredients and Flavors

Making the perfect homemade cherry pie is a special task. But the joy of eating it makes it all worth it. The filling is key, with fresh cherries, sugar, cornstarch, lemon juice, vanilla, and almond extract.

These ingredients mix to make a filling that’s both sweet and tart. It’s rich and jammy, perfect for the pie.

Texture and Crust

The pie crust is a great match for the filling. It’s made with shortening and butter, giving it a tender, flaky feel. The butter adds a rich taste, while the shortening keeps it easy to work with.

For an even richer flavor, try an all-butter pie crust.

When baked, the cherry juice sugars caramelize. This adds a deep, complex flavor to the filling. The result is a homemade cherry pie that looks amazing and tastes incredible.

Choosing the Right Cherries

Choosing the right cherries is key to a perfect cherry pie. Both sweet cherries and sour cherries are great choices. They add unique flavors and textures to your pie.

For a balanced taste, mix rainier and dark sweet cherries. This blend is delightful. If you love tart flavors, go for all-sour cherries. But remember, they might need more sugar to balance their acidity.

Frozen cherries are also a good option. Just thaw and drain them well before using. This avoids too much moisture in your filling.

“The type of cherries you choose can make or break your cherry pie. Always opt for the freshest, ripest fruit for the most flavorful results.”

Whether you pick sweet, sour, or a mix, choose high-quality, ripe cherries. They’ll give your pie the perfect sweetness and tartness.

Preparing the Cherry Filling

Making the perfect cherry pie filling is key to a delicious dessert. It’s all about reducing juices and mixing the right ingredients.

Reducing the Juices

The cherry pie filling ingredients are mixed together. Then, the extra juice is simmered in a saucepan until it thickens. This thickened juice is mixed back with the cherries. As it cools, it will set perfectly.

Adding Butter and Assembling

Small pieces of butter are added to the cherry pie filling before the top crust goes on. This makes the filling richer and prevents bubbles. The filling is then put in the bottom crust, and the top crust is added. This completes the assembling of the cherry pie.

This recipe makes 8 servings and takes 2 hours and 20 minutes to prepare. It includes 20 minutes of active prep and 2 hours of cooking. Bake at 400°F for 30 minutes, then at 375°F for 1 to 1 ½ hours. Each serving has about 317 calories.

“The secret to a truly exceptional cherry pie lies in the perfect balance of tart and sweet, achieved through the careful reduction of juices and the addition of rich, creamy butter.”

Baking the Cherry Pie

Baking the perfect cherry pie needs the right temperature and timing. Start with a high oven temperature of 400°F (205°C) for 15-20 minutes. This step sets the crust and thickens the filling beautifully.

After the crust starts to set, lower the oven to 375°F (190°C). Bake for another 20-30 minutes. This ensures the cherries are fully cooked and the crust is flaky.

The total baking time is about 40-50 minutes. Watch the pie closely to avoid filling overflow. When the crust is golden and the filling bubbly, your pie is ready!

“The secret to a perfectly baked cherry pie lies in the oven temperature and timing. The high heat sets the crust, while the lower temperature ensures the filling is cooked through without burning the top.”

The oven temperature for cherry pie is crucial. It helps get a crisp crust and a rich, thick filling. With some care, your cherry pie will impress everyone.

cherry pie recipes

Choosing between sweet or tart cherries for your pie is a personal choice. Both can create a delicious pie, depending on what you like best.

Sweet Cherry Pie

Sweet cherry pies have a rich, jammy filling. They use ripe cherries that are naturally sweet. This means you need less sugar, making the pie indulgent and perfect for sweet cravings.

Tart Cherry Pie

Tart cherry pies offer a tangy flavor that complements the crust and topping. They often need more sugar in the filling. But, the result is a refreshing pie with a nice balance of acidity and sweetness.

Both sweet and tart cherry pies can be amazing. It’s about picking the cherries that match your taste and the flavor you want. Try different recipes to find your favorite sweet cherry pie or tart cherry pie!

“The perfect cherry pie recipe is all about finding the right balance between the sweet and tart flavors of the cherries.”

Tips for a Thicker Filling

To get a thick, well-set cherry pie filling, it’s important to reduce excess juices. Mix the cherries, sugar, cornstarch, and other ingredients. Then, simmer the filling on the stovetop. This step concentrates flavors and thickens the filling, making your pie beautifully set.

Here are some tips for achieving a thick cherry pie filling:

1. Use a mix of frozen pitted tart cherries and sweet cherries for the best flavor. Aim for about 5 cups of pitted cherries total.
2. Create a cornstarch slurry by whisking ¼ cup of cornstarch with ¼ cup plus 1 tablespoon of water. This thickens the filling.
3. Add ¾ cup of cane sugar to sweeten the cherry mixture perfectly.
4. Simmer the filling for 13-15 minutes over medium heat, stirring often, until it reaches your desired thickness.
5. Let the filling cool completely before adding it to your pie crust. This enhances the thickening process.

By reducing juices, you’ll get a thick cherry pie filling that keeps its shape. It’s worth the patience for a pie you can be proud of.

Lattice Top or Crumble Topping

When making your own lattice top cherry pie or crumble topping cherry pie, you have two tasty choices. These options can make your dessert look and taste amazing.

The lattice top is a beautiful choice. It lets the cherry filling show through the pastry’s crisscross pattern. This not only looks elegant but also keeps the filling from overflowing while baking.

On the other hand, a crumble topping adds a nice crunch to your pie. It’s like the topping on a blueberry crumble pie. The mix of buttery, crumbly flour, brown sugar, and spices turns golden and crunchy in the oven.

Both toppings bring out the cherry filling’s sweetness and tartness. Your homemade cherry pie will impress everyone with its looks and taste, no matter which topping you pick.

1. Roll out the pie dough into a thin sheet, about 1/8 inch thick.
2. Cut the dough into long, thin strips, approximately 1/2 inch wide.
3. Arrange the strips in a criss-cross pattern over the top of the filled pie crust, creating a lattice design.
4. Trim any excess dough from the edges and crimp the crust to seal the lattice in place.
5. Brush the lattice top with a beaten egg or milk, and sprinkle with a light dusting of sugar for a golden, shimmering finish.

To make a crumble topping, mix dry ingredients with melted butter until it’s crumbly. Spread it evenly over the pie crust.

Whichever topping you choose, your lattice top cherry pie or crumble topping cherry pie will be a hit. It will show off the season’s cherries in a delicious way.

Serving and Storing

After baking your cherry pie perfectly, let it cool down completely before cutting. This step is key to ensure each slice is juicy and holds its shape well.

For the best storage, keep leftover cherry pie at room temperature for 2 days. If you want it to last longer, put it in the fridge for up to 5 days. You can even freeze it for up to 3 months to enjoy summer flavors anytime.

To freeze your cherry pie, cool it down first. Then, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or foil. When you’re ready, thaw it in the fridge overnight or at room temperature for an hour before serving.

Whether you serve and store your homemade cherry pie in a certain way, its taste will impress everyone. The sweet flavor and flaky crust will make your family and friends ask for more. So, treat yourself to a slice (or two!) of this beloved American dessert.

Conclusion

Homemade cherry pie is a delightful treat for any time. By learning how to reduce juices and mix cherry types, you get a pie that’s both thick and flavorful. It also has a flaky, golden crust. You can choose from a classic lattice top or a crumbly topping.

This homemade cherry pie recipe will quickly become a favorite. The cherry dessert recipes in this article show how versatile cherry pies can be. From chocolate cherry pie to Cherry Cream Cheese Pie Bubble-Up, there’s something for everyone.

With the right ingredients and care, your homemade cherry pies will wow your loved ones. So, why not try these homemade cherry pie recipes? They’re perfect for both experienced bakers and beginners. They’ll help you make a dessert that’s both delicious and memorable.