Description
This Homemade Cherry Pie is a classic dessert featuring a buttery, flaky crust and a sweet-tart cherry filling. Perfect for summer gatherings or holiday tables, it’s made from scratch using fresh or frozen cherries, and finished with a beautiful lattice crust.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour: for the pie crust base
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt: enhances the crust flavor
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar: adds subtle sweetness to the crust
- 1 cup unsalted butter (cold, cubed): ensures a flaky crust
- 7 tablespoons ice water: helps bind the dough while keeping it cold
- 5 cups sweet cherries (pitted): main ingredient of the filling
- ⅔ cup granulated sugar: sweetens the cherry filling
- ¼ cup cornstarch: thickens the filling
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice: adds brightness and balances sweetness
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest: enhances flavor with citrus aroma
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract: adds warmth and depth to the filling
- 1 egg (for egg wash): gives the crust a glossy finish
- 1 tablespoon milk or cream: mixed with the egg for the wash
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar: optional, for sprinkling over crust
Instructions
- In a food processor, combine flour, salt, and sugar. Pulse briefly.
- Add cold cubed butter and pulse until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Slowly add ice water, 1 tablespoon at a time, until dough comes together.
- Divide dough into two discs, wrap in plastic, and chill for at least 1 hour.
- Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C).
- In a bowl, mix cherries, sugar, cornstarch, lemon juice, lemon zest, and vanilla extract until combined.
- Roll out one dough disc and fit into a 9-inch pie pan. Prick the bottom with a fork.
- Pour the cherry filling into the crust and spread evenly.
- Roll out the second dough disc and cut into ½-inch strips to create a lattice top.
- Arrange lattice on top of filling and crimp edges to seal.
- Freeze the assembled pie for 20 minutes to firm up.
- Brush the crust with egg wash (egg + milk), then sprinkle with brown sugar.
- Bake for 20 minutes at 425°F (220°C), then reduce temperature to 350°F (180°C) and bake for another 30 minutes, until crust is golden and filling is bubbling.
- Let the pie cool for at least 2 hours before slicing to allow the filling to set.
Notes
- Use cold butter and ice water to ensure a flaky crust.
- Freeze the pie before baking to prevent over-browning.
- Use fresh cherries when in season for the best flavor.
- If using frozen or canned cherries, drain thoroughly before use.
- Let the pie cool completely before slicing to avoid a runny filling.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 329
- Sugar: 21g
- Sodium: 220mg
- Fat: 16g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 41mg