Quick & Simple: Alton Brown Cherry Pie Recipe That’s Perfect

Alton Brown’s cherry pie transforms ordinary ingredients into an extraordinary dessert that promises pure culinary magic.

Sweet, tart cherries dance between delicate layers of buttery pastry, creating a sensational treat that beckons food lovers.

Professional bakers and home cooks appreciate this carefully crafted recipe for its precise techniques and balanced flavors.

The combination of fresh ingredients and meticulous preparation elevates this classic dessert beyond simple fruit-filled pastry.

Rich, vibrant filling nestles between flaky, golden-brown crusts that practically melt on your tongue.

Each slice represents a perfect harmony of traditional baking methods and modern culinary innovation.

You’ll find this pie delivers comfort, nostalgia, and sophisticated flavor in every single bite: prepare to be delighted.

Why Alton Brown’s Cherry Pie is a Tart and Sweet Classic

• Craft Homemade Comfort: This cherry pie transforms simple ingredients into a nostalgic dessert that hugs your taste buds with warm, classic flavors reminiscent of grandmother's kitchen.
• Master Precise Baking Technique: Alton Brown's recipe teaches strategic steps like chilling dough, releasing cherry juices slowly, and creating steam ports, which elevate a basic pie into a professional-level culinary creation.
• Texture Symphony: Experience a delightful contrast between flaky, buttery crust and soft, gooey cherry filling that delivers an irresistible mouthfeel with every bite, balancing sweet and slightly tart notes perfectly.

What You Need for Alton Brown’s Cherry Pie

• All-Purpose Flour: Foundational dry ingredient for creating a tender, flaky pie crust.
• Salt: Enhances flavor and helps control gluten development in the dough.
• Shortening: Provides rich texture and helps create a crumbly, flaky pie crust.
• Cold Water: Binds the dough together without developing too much gluten.

• Fresh Cherries: Sweet and juicy base for the pie filling, providing natural fruity flavor.
• Granulated Sugar: Sweetens the filling and helps create a thick, glossy sauce.
• Cornstarch: Thickens the cherry filling and provides a smooth, glossy consistency.
• Butter: Adds richness and smooth texture to the filling.
• Almond Extract: Provides a subtle, complementary nutty flavor to the cherry filling.

• Baking Tray: Helps create a crisp bottom crust and provides even heat distribution.

How to Make Alton Brown’s Cherry Pie

Step 1: Create Flaky Pie Crust

Grab a mixing bowl and whisk together flour and salt. Use two knives or a pastry blender to cut shortening into the mixture until it looks like coarse crumbs.

Step 2: Form and Chill Dough

Add cold water and gently stir until dough forms a ball. Divide dough into 2 equal disks. Wrap each disk in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30-60 minutes.

Step 3: Prepare Bottom Pie Crust

Roll out 1 dough disk into an 11-inch circular shape and carefully press into a 9-inch pie dish. Keep refrigerated until ready to use.

Step 4: Prepare Top Pie Crust

Roll the second dough disk into an 11-inch circle. Place on a baking sheet or plate and chill until needed.

Step 5: Prepare Oven and Baking Tray

Preheat oven to 190°C (375°F). Place a baking tray inside the oven during preheating.

Step 6: Create Cherry Filling

• Cornstarch
• Sugar
• Cherries

Let mixture sit for 10 minutes to release juices.

Step 7: Cook Cherry Filling

Cook and stir continuously over medium heat. Reduce to low heat and simmer for 1 minute until juices thicken and become translucent.

Step 8: Finish Filling

• Butter
• Almond extract

Allow filling to cool to room temperature.

Step 9: Assemble Pie

Pour cooled filling into bottom pie crust. Cover with top crust, trim edges, and crimp. Cut steam vents in the top crust.

Step 10: Bake and Cool Pie

Bake on preheated tray for 45-55 minutes until crust turns golden brown. Let pie cool for several hours before slicing and serving.

Pro Tips for Alton Brown’s Cherry Pie

• Chill and Slice Shortening: Freeze shortening briefly, then cut into tiny cubes for easier incorporation into the dough.
• Prevent Fruit Juice Overflow: Place a baking sheet under the pie to catch any bubbling cherry juices and protect your oven.
• Layer Lattice Carefully: Weave lattice strips loosely to allow steam escape and create an elegant pie top.
• Rest Dough Strategically: Let pie dough relax in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to prevent shrinking during baking.
• Egg Wash Magic: Brush crust edges with beaten egg for a golden, glossy finish that adds professional-looking shine.

How to Store Alton Brown’s Cherry Pie

• Sealed Container Method: Maximize freshness by storing the cherry pie in an airtight glass or ceramic container. Prevent moisture and odors from seeping in by ensuring the lid fits tightly. Glass containers work best as they don't absorb food smells and keep the pie's delicate flavor intact.
• Freezer Preservation Method: Wrap individual pie slices in heavy-duty aluminum foil or plastic wrap before placing in a freezer-safe bag. Remove excess air to prevent freezer burn and maintain the pie's original texture. Mark the bag with the date to track storage time, typically up to 4 months for optimal taste and quality.
• Refrigeration Technique: Position the pie on a middle shelf away from strong-smelling foods. Use a pie keeper with a tight-sealing lid to protect against potential refrigerator odors.

Creative Twists on Alton Brown’s Cherry Pie

• Rustic Farmers Market Cherry Pie: Incorporate fresh, locally sourced cherries from regional farmers markets for enhanced natural sweetness and authentic flavor profile.
• Mixed Berry Cherry Fusion: Blend sweet cherries with raspberries and blackberries to create a complex, multi-dimensional fruit filling that adds depth and vibrant color.
• Spiced Bourbon Cherry Pie: Enhance the filling by adding a splash of bourbon and warming spices like cinnamon and nutmeg for a sophisticated adult-friendly version.
• Gluten-Free Almond Cherry Pie: Replace traditional wheat flour with almond flour and gluten-free flour blend, maintaining the original recipe's texture while making it accessible for those with dietary restrictions.

A Juicy, Tart Delight with Alton Brown’s Cherry Pie

Alton Brown’s cherry pie emerges as classic American comfort with delicate pastry and luscious fruit filling.

Rich cherry flavors dance across each carefully crafted slice, promising pure culinary delight.

Homemade pie crust creates flaky layers that complement sweet-tart cherry essence.

Kitchen mastery shines through precise techniques transforming simple ingredients into extraordinary dessert.

Passionate bakers can recreate this signature recipe with confidence and skill.

Slice, savor, share this incredible cherry pie – your friends will crave more, comment wildly, and celebrate your baking prowess.

Alton Brown Cherry Pie Recipe

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4.5 from 23 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Cherry pie from Alton Brown brings classic American dessert magic to your table. Homemade pastry and fresh cherries create a perfectly balanced sweet-tart masterpiece you’ll want to savor slice after delicious slice.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 2 cups (480 ml) all-purpose flour
• 2 cups (340 g) pitted sour cherries
• 1 ¼ cups (250 g) white sugar

Binding/Supporting Ingredients:

• 10 teaspoons (15 g) cornstarch
• 1 tablespoon (15 ml) butter

Additional Ingredients:

• 1 pinch salt
• 1 cup (240 ml) shortening, chilled
• ½ cup (120 ml) cold water
• ¼ teaspoon (1 ml) almond extract

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Instructions

1. In a spacious mixing bowl, combine flour and salt, creating a uniform dry base for the pie crust.
2. Utilize two kitchen knives or a specialized pastry blender to incorporate shortening into the flour mixture, breaking it down until the texture resembles coarse, uneven crumbs.
3. Gradually introduce ice-cold water, gently mixing with hands until the ingredients cohesively form a compact dough ball.
4. Divide the dough into two equal portions, shaping each into a flattened disk. Carefully encase each disk in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30-60 minutes to allow the gluten to relax.
5. Remove one chilled dough disk and roll it out on a lightly floured surface into an 11-inch (28 centimeters) circular shape, carefully transferring it to a 9-inch (23 centimeters) pie dish.
6. Prepare the second dough disk similarly, rolling it into an 11-inch (28 centimeters) circle and placing it on a chilled baking sheet.
7. Preheat the oven to 190 degrees Celsius (375 degrees Fahrenheit) and position a baking tray inside to warm.
8. In a medium non-aluminum saucepan, combine cornstarch, granulated sugar, and cherries. Allow the mixture to rest for 10-15 minutes, enabling natural fruit juices to emerge.
9. Cook the cherry mixture over medium heat, stirring continuously to prevent scorching. Reduce to low heat and simmer for approximately 1 minute until the juices transform into a translucent, thickened consistency.
10. Remove from heat and incorporate unsalted butter and almond extract, mixing thoroughly. Allow the filling to cool to room temperature.
11. Carefully spread the cooled cherry filling into the prepared bottom pie crust, ensuring even distribution.
12. Gently place the top crust over the filling, trimming excess dough and crimping edges to create a secure seal. Cut several small steam vents across the surface.
13. Position the pie on the preheated baking tray and bake for 45-55 minutes, or until the crust achieves a golden-brown color and the filling bubbles slightly.
14. Remove from the oven and allow the pie to cool completely for 2-3 hours before slicing to ensure proper setting.

Notes

• Baking success starts with ice-cold shortening, which helps create those signature flaky layers in your pie crust.
• Cherry filling needs gentle cooling time, letting flavors meld and preventing moisture from soaking through delicate pastry.
• Measuring your rolled dough precisely ensures every slice gets the perfect crust-to-filling ratio.
• Strategic steam vents are your secret weapon against soggy bottom syndrome, allowing excess moisture to escape during baking.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 55 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 305 kcal
• Sugar: 14 g
• Sodium: 10 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 36 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 5 mg