Colin’s Cherry Pie

Homemade Cherry Pie Recipe

Ingredients:

• 4 cups fresh cherries, pitted
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup cornstarch
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1/2 teaspoon almond extract (optional)
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
• 2 pie crusts (store-bought or homemade)
• 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)
• Optional: vanilla ice cream or whipped cream for serving

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).
2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the fresh pitted cherries, granulated sugar, cornstarch, lemon juice, almond extract (if using), ground cinnamon, and salt. Stir until the cherries are evenly coated with the sugar and cornstarch mixture. Set aside.
3. Roll out one of the pie crusts and place it into a 9-inch pie dish, pressing it gently against the bottom and sides of the dish. Trim any excess dough from the edges with a sharp knife.
4. Pour the cherry filling into the prepared pie crust, spreading it out evenly.
5. Dot the top of the cherry filling with small pieces of unsalted butter.
6. Roll out the second pie crust and place it over the cherry filling. You can either place the crust on top whole or cut it into strips to create a lattice pattern. Trim any excess dough from the edges, then crimp the edges of the pie crusts together to seal.
7. If using a whole crust on top, make several slits in the center of the pie to allow steam to escape during baking. If using a lattice crust, weave the strips over and under each other to create the lattice pattern.
8. Brush the top crust with beaten egg, which will give the pie a golden-brown color when baked.
9. Place the pie on a baking sheet (to catch any drips) and bake in the preheated oven for 45 to 55 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the filling is bubbling.
10. Once baked, remove the pie from the oven and allow it to cool on a wire rack for at least 1 hour before serving.
11. Serve slices of the cherry pie warm or at room temperature, topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream, if desired.
12. Enjoy your delicious homemade cherry pie!

This recipe yields a classic cherry pie with a sweet and tangy filling encased in a flaky, golden crust—a perfect dessert for any occasion!