Dive into the comforting embrace of this Classic Cherry Pie, featuring a perfectly flaky and buttery crust filled with lusciously sweet and tart cherries. This pie combines simple, wholesome ingredients to create a dessert that speaks to the heart of traditional baking. With its rich, fruity filling and golden, crisp exterior, this cherry pie is not just a dish but an experience, evoking memories of cozy family gatherings and warm summer evenings.
Why You’ll Love This: This pie offers the quintessential cherry pie experience with its deep, vibrant filling and a crust that’s expertly balanced between tender and crisp. The use of brown sugar adds a caramel-like depth to the cherries, enhancing their natural flavors without overwhelming their fresh, juicy essence. It’s a straightforward recipe that yields consistent results, making it a reliable choice for both novice and experienced bakers looking for a delightful treat that never disappoints.
Perfect Occasion: This Classic Cherry Pie is perfect for any occasion, be it a festive holiday table, a casual summer picnic, or a comforting winter dessert. Serve it at family dinners, bring it to potlucks, or make it the star of a rustic wedding dessert table. Its timeless appeal makes it suitable for both formal and informal settings, and it pairs beautifully with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream for an extra-special touch.
Decoration Tips: For a beautiful presentation, you can brush the crust with a beaten egg yolk before baking to achieve a glossy, golden finish. Sprinkling granulated sugar over the egg wash will add a delightful crunch and sparkle. Consider using a lattice crust design to expose the bright cherry filling, or cut out shapes like hearts or stars from extra pie dough to decorate the top before baking.
Ingredients:
- For the Pâte Brisée (Shortcrust Pastry):
- 300 grams of all-purpose flour
- 150 grams of cold butter, cubed
- 50 grams of cold water
- A pinch of salt
- For the Filling:
- 400 grams of cherries, washed, dried, and pitted
- 100 grams of brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon of cornstarch
- For Glazing:
- 1 egg yolk
- Granulated sugar for sprinkling
Instructions:
- Begin by preparing the pâte brisée: In a large bowl, combine the flour and salt. Add the cold butter and blend using a pastry cutter or your fingertips until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Gradually add the cold water, stirring until the dough just comes together. Form into a disk, wrap in plastic, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
- For the filling, mix the pitted cherries with brown sugar and cornstarch in a bowl, ensuring the cherries are evenly coated.
- Preheat your oven to 180°C (356°F).
- Roll out the chilled dough on a floured surface to fit a 20-22 cm pie dish. Line the dish with the dough, trimming any excess.
- Pour the cherry filling into the crust. If desired, use leftover dough to create a lattice top or decorative cut-outs.
- Brush the crust with the beaten egg yolk and sprinkle with granulated sugar.
- Bake in the preheated oven for about 40-45 minutes, or until the crust is golden and the filling is bubbly.
- Allow the pie to cool on a wire rack before serving to let the filling set.
Enjoy this delightful Classic Cherry Pie, a timeless dessert that brings together the tartness of cherries and the sweetness of homemade love!
