If I were a superhero ‘Pie Prowess’ would not be my super power. I like pie. To me it has a gentle sensibility to it that is often overlooked for sexier desserts like Chocolate Decadence or Molten Lava Cake. Pie doesn’t need any of those bells or whistles. It is simple, straight forward and can hold its own against the most gastronomically fussy confections.
I’ve made pies, not a lot of pies, but I’ve made them. I am however more of a Tomboy Baker, not bearing the precise execution to produce the gasp-inspiring perfection as one would expect of ‘Martha’. I have not made two crust pies or pies with a woven top crust so I ventured into uncharted waters with this recipe. When asking my family if they’d like Cherry Pie or Cherry Cake (both vintage recipes I’ve not made) for President’s Day I got a resounding ‘cherry pie’ request. When one thinks of our early Presidents I agree that cherry pie springs to mind.
I found a recipe called President’s Birthday Cherry Pie in my grandmother’s recipe box. Liking to coordinate my desserts to my national holidays, it seemed complete destiny. For me President’s Day and the corresponding three day holiday always feels like a beckoning of spring. In Colorado we rarely have a traditional spring. In fact in the decade I’ve lived here I can only remember one.
Typically we ping pong between flirty warmth and a soggy dump of snow until it all gives way to summer. We rarely enjoy balmy breezes, or the building warmth assuring summer will come. No taking time to gaze on the nubile growth of the new season (more likely holding our breath that the late snow does knock out the blooms and consequently the promise of summer fruit on our tender trees). Despite all that, I choose to believe spring WILL come, in its own time, and I will secretly bid it welcome this weekend with my Cherry Pie.
I must insert this pie is completely delicious. The flavors perfectly combine to give center stage to the tartness of the cherries that act to pique the palate without a pucker. I fell in love with the pie as it exited the oven with browned crust strips and bubbling, ruby-red cherries. I waited about 13.5 minutes before cutting the first piece, anxious to take photos and taste it. I realized the pie needed a moment to compose itself as the beautiful piece steamily relaxed on the plate. It was fantastic though when I allowed the pie to fully cool and gel, the subsequent pieces were primly intact.
My Favorite Pie Crust recipe
I use Butter Pie Crust when making this cherry pie recipe.
It’s an EASY recipe that creates a buttery flaky crust every time.
The recipe creates 2 pie crusts so is perfect for this pie.
Recipe
President’s Birthday Cherry Pie
Ingredients
Ingredients (Deep Dish version):
- 3 cans (16 ounces/can; about 3 cups)* pitted tart/pie cherries
- ½ cup liquid from drained cherries**
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup light brown sugar
- 3 tablespoons arrowroot starch or cornstarch
- Heaping ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/8 plus 1/16 teaspoon almond extract
- 1 tablespoon butter cut into very small pieces to dot on pie
- Pastry for double crust 9 inch deep dish pie (gluten free or regular)
Ingredients (Standard Pie):
- 2 cans (16 ounces/can)* pitted tart/pie cherries
- 1/3 cup liquid from drained cherries**
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- 1/3 cup light brown sugar
- 2 1/2 tablespoons arrowroot starch or cornstarch
- ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/8 teaspoon almond extract
- 1 tablespoon butter , cut into very small pieces to dot on pie
- Pastry for double crust 9 inch regular pie (gluten free or regular)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
- Drain cherries reserving ½ cup liquid for a deep dish pie or 1/3 cup liquid for regular pie. Place both cherries and liquid into a large saucepan.
- Stir in granulated sugar, brown sugar, arrowroot or cornstarch, cinnamon and almond extract. Cook over medium-low heat until sugar is fully dissolved. Simmer for an additional minute and set aside.
- Prepare the pastry crust fitting one crust into the pie pan. Roll out the second crust and cut into ½ inch wide strips.
- Pour cherry mixture into pie crust, dot with butter and weave pastry strips on top of the filling.
- Bake at 425 degrees for 15 minutes. Lower the temperature to 350 degrees and bake an additional 35 to 40 minutes until pie is brown and bubbly.
- Cool completely (if you can wait!) and serve.
Notes
**if using frozen thawed cherries add the required volume of diluted cherry juice as a replacement for the liquid from canned, drained cherries.
Meagan says
This looks so delicious. I would love a slice about now.
Jeni Hawkins says
I have never made my own pie before either because I opt for the frozen version. I am not sure that mine would turn out as pretty as yours, but I would love to give it a try.
Toni Dash says
You can do it Jeni! I typically use frozen gluten-free pie crusts because pie crusts are not my best talent. That makes it easy and it’s such a homey pie!
Dawn McAlexander says
I love me some cherry pie. That one looks great. I will have to try this one on President’s Day.
Brenda says
When I looked at this pie my first thought was I want it. It looks perfect. My pies never turn out looking like that.
Amanda Love says
It’s a classic favorite, one that you will yhink about having when there are holidays like this. I think it’s awesome how it turned out. I love the woven top!
Jocelyn @Hip Mama's Place says
Wow! That looks so fantastic! Cherry pie is definitely my favorite kind of pie! Can’t wait to make it.
Jeanette says
This looks absolutely delicious! My husband is a major cherry pie fan so I think I will make this for him for Presidents’ Day.
robin Rue says
It doesn’t get any more American that cherry pie. Yours looks picture perfect.
Monica says
As always, I come here for your amazing recipes! You need to have your own TV show (and cookbook!) someday.
Toni Dash says
Ha! You are too kind Monica!
HELEN ELLIOTT says
12 oz flour 8 oz butter 4 oz water
great. Is that ounces by volume or weight?
Toni Dash says
Hi Helen. I don’t see these ingredients or measurements in the pie recipe so am unsure about your question? If you could fill me in more I’m happy to try to assist you.