Perfect Cherry Pie: 1 Sliceable Dream

Oh, the sheer joy of a perfect slice of cherry pie! You know, the kind you see in those charming cafés – the ones with a filling that’s *just* right, thick and bursting with flavor, and a crust so buttery it practically melts in your mouth. That’s exactly what we’re going to create today with this classic cherry pie recipe. It’s one of those recipes that feels special, but honestly, it’s super approachable, just like everything Catherine loves to share from her kitchen. Her passion really shines through in making beautiful desserts feel totally doable for us home cooks. Get ready for a pie that’s going to impress, every single time!

Why You’ll Love This Classic Cherry Pie Recipe

You’re going to adore this cherry pie because it hits all the right notes. It’s that beautiful, sliceable pie you see in cafes, not a soupy mess! We’ve really honed in on getting that perfect thick cherry filling and a crust that just sings with buttery flavor. Plus, it’s surprisingly easy to pull off, making it a real winner if you’re looking for an impressive, yet totally doable, cherry dessert. You can even prep components ahead, which is a lifesaver for holidays or when you just want to get a head start!

• Café-Worthy Perfection: Seriously, this pie looks and tastes like it came straight from a fancy bakery, but you made it yourself!
• Thick, Non-Runny Filling: No more messy slices! We’ve nailed the ratio to get a gorgeous, jammy cherry filling that holds its shape.
• Buttery, Flaky Lattice Crust: The delicate lattice isn’t just pretty; it bakes up perfectly golden and buttery. So satisfying to make and eat!
• Bursting with Fresh Cherry Flavor: We’re using fresh cherries here, and they just make all the difference. You can really taste that bright, authentic cherry goodness.
• An “Easy Cherry Dessert” Dream: While it looks impressive, the steps are totally manageable, making it a fantastic choice when you want something special without a ton of stress.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Perfect for holidays or busy weekends, you can prep parts of this ahead of time. It’s a lifesaver!

Ingredients for the Perfect Cherry Pie

Alright, let’s talk about what makes this cherry pie sing! For a truly show-stopping homemade cherry pie, you’ll want to gather a few key players. We start with about 2 and a half pounds of fresh, bright red cherries – make sure they’re pitted! Nothing beats fresh for that amazing flavor. Then, we have our sweetener and thickener working together: about 3/4 cup of granulated sugar and 1/4 cup of cornstarch. This combo is key to getting that glorious, thick cherry filling we’re after. A splash of lemon juice adds a lovely brightness, and just a little pinch of salt always makes the flavors pop. And for that little something extra? Half a teaspoon of almond extract. Trust me on this one, it’s a game-changer with cherries! We’ll also need a tablespoon of butter, just cut into little bits, to dot on top of the filling before we add the crust. Oh, and for that gorgeous golden lattice, you’ll need one egg, beaten up for an egg wash, and a tablespoon of turbinado sugar for sprinkling – it gives it that perfect crunchy sparkle. And of course, you’ll need your favorite recipe for a double pie crust, ready to go!

Making Your Homemade Cherry Pie: Step-by-Step

Alright, let’s get this beautiful homemade cherry pie put together! It’s really not as fussy as it looks, I promise. We’ll take it step-by-step so you end up with that gorgeous lattice cherry pie you’ve been dreaming of.

Preparing the Pie Dough and Filling

First things first, make sure your double pie crust dough is nicely chilled. While that’s happening, let’s get that filling ready. I like to grab a big bowl and gently toss my beautiful fresh cherries with the sugar, cornstarch, lemon juice, that hint of almond extract, and a little salt. Give it all a gentle stir until everything is coated. Then, here’s a little secret for a thicker filling – let it sit for about 15 minutes. This lets the cherries release a bit of their lovely juice, which then teams up with the cornstarch beautifully. Preheat your oven now too, to a nice hot 400°F (200°C) so it’s ready for us!

Assembling Your Lattice Cherry Pie

Now for the fun part – putting it all together! Roll out one of your chilled pie dough discs and carefully drape it into your 9-inch pie plate. Gently press it down into the corners, leaving a little overhang – we’ll trim that later. Pour all that yummy, slightly thickened cherry filling right into the crust. Scatter those little pieces of butter over the top; they just add this extra richness to the filling. For the lattice, roll out your second dough disc. I like to cut mine into even strips, maybe about 3/4-inch wide. Start laying them across the pie, weaving them over and under to create that classic lattice pattern. Once you’ve got your pattern, trim the ends of the strips and pinch them together with the bottom crust to seal everything up tight. Brush the whole lattice top with that beaten egg wash – this gives it a beautiful golden sheen – and then sprinkle it all with that coarse turbinado sugar for a lovely sparkle and crunch.

Baking and Cooling Your Classic Cherry Pie

Time to get this beauty in the oven! Place your pie on a baking sheet – this is super important to catch any bubbly filling that might escape, saving you from a smoky oven. We’ll start baking it at that higher temperature, 400°F (200°C), for about 20 minutes. This gets the crust going nicely. Then, we’ll lower the oven temperature to 375°F (190°C) and let it bake for another 30 to 40 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when the crust is a gorgeous golden brown and you see the filling bubbling up through those lattice openings. If the crust edges start to get too dark, just loosely tent them with some foil. The most crucial step for this classic cherry pie recipe? Letting it cool completely! I mean it – let it cool on a wire rack for at least 3 to 4 hours. I know, it’s torture waiting, but this is what allows that beautiful, thick cherry filling to set properly so you can get those picture-perfect slices.

Tips for a Perfect Fresh Cherry Pie

Okay, so getting that truly amazing, café-style cherry pie at home is all about a few little tricks! My personal favorite is using super fresh cherries for this fresh cherry pie – you can really taste the difference between fresh and canned, and we’re going for *that* vibrant, bright flavor. The key to avoiding a soupy filling is all in the cornstarch and, honestly, patience. It sounds simple, but letting that filling sit and then giving the whole pie ample time to cool is like magic for thickness!

Achieving a Thick Cherry Filling

To get that perfectly thick, almost jammy cherry filling, don’t skimp on the cornstarch! That 1/4 cup is crucial. For every batch of cherries, make sure the cornstarch is really mixed evenly into the fruit and sugar mixture before it even hits the oven. And please, *please* let the pie cool completely. I know it’s the hardest part, but that cooling time is when the filling thickens up beautifully. If it’s still warm, it’ll be runny. Patience is truly rewarded here!

Almond Extract and Flavor Enhancements

That little bit of almond extract, just half a teaspoon, is like a secret handshake with the cherries. It brings out their flavor in a way that’s just slightly more complex and intriguing than just plain cherry. If you’re feeling adventurous, a tiny pinch of cinnamon or even a whisper of orange zest can be lovely additions too, but honestly, the almond extract with the fresh cherries is my go-to. It just makes everything taste that much more special!

Holiday Cherry Pie: Make-Ahead and Storage

Planning ahead for a holiday cherry pie is totally doable, and it actually makes things feel a little less stressful! This recipe is a gem because you can prep a lot of it in advance. It means when the big day rolls around, you can focus on enjoying your guests, not stressing in the kitchen. Plus, knowing how to store any delicious leftovers is just as important!

Make-Ahead Strategy for Your Cherry Pie

Here’s how I like to break it down for a holiday cherry pie: You can make the pie dough up to two days ahead and keep it chilled. The cherry filling? That can also be mixed up a day in advance and stored in an airtight container in the fridge. Just give it a gentle stir before you’re ready to assemble. When it’s time to bake, roll out your dough, line the pie plate, add the filling and the butter, create your lattice, and bake as usual. This way, you’ve essentially done all the prep work ahead of time!

Storing and Reheating Leftover Cherry Pie

Got any lovely leftover cherry pie? Lucky you! Once it’s completely cooled, wrap it well in plastic wrap or pop it into an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator. It’s usually good for about 3-4 days. When you want a slice, I find the best way to reheat it is in a moderate oven, around 300°F (150°C), for about 10-15 minutes. This warms it through without making the crust soggy and brings back that delicious fresh-baked smell!

Frequently Asked Questions about Cherry Pie

Elevate Your Baking with Meal Delivery Services

You know, even though I absolutely adore spending time in the kitchen creating magic like this cherry pie, sometimes life just gets super busy! That’s where those convenient meal delivery services can be such a lifesaver. Think about it – some of the best meal delivery services can actually help you find high-quality ingredients, or even prep components, which means you get to spend *more* time focusing on the fun parts, like perfecting this beautiful lattice cherry pie! It’s a fantastic way to balance out those busy weeks with homemade goodness. You could even get the perfect cherries delivered right to your door!

Share Your Cherry Pie Creations

I would just LOVE to see your beautiful creations! Did you try making this cherry pie? Did you share it with friends or family? Please, tell me all about it in the comments below! Snap a picture and tag me on social media – I can’t wait to see how your lattice cherry pie turned out and hear what you thought!

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