Description
Ina Garten’s cherry pie blends sweet-tart cherries with a buttery, flaky crust that sings of summer’s bounty. Bakers will savor each homemade slice, celebrating classic American dessert traditions with this timeless recipe.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1.5 lbs (680 g) cherries, fresh sour or 3 (14.5 oz/410 g) cans or 8 cups frozen
- ¾ cup (150 g) granulated sugar
- ⅓ cup (40 g) cornstarch
- 2 tbsps lemon juice
- 2 tbsps butter
- ½ tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 large egg white, beaten
- homemade or ready-made pie crust
- granulated sugar, for sprinkling on top
Instructions
- Prepare Cherry Mixture: Combine fresh cherries, sugar, and lemon juice in a saucepan. Simmer until cherries release their natural juices, creating a vibrant, aromatic base.
- Create Thickening Agent: Whisk cornstarch with reserved cherry liquid until smooth. Integrate the mixture back into the saucepan, stirring continuously to develop a glossy, luxurious sauce that coats the cherries perfectly.
- Enhance Flavor Profile: Incorporate preserved cherries, additional cornstarch, sugar, butter, and lemon juice. Gently fold cherries into the sauce, allowing flavors to meld and intensify while cooling completely.
- Prepare Pie Crust: Defrost frozen cherries, adjusting cornstarch and sugar levels to balance natural sweetness. Preheat oven to 204 degrees Celsius, rolling out pie crusts to precise dimensions.
- Assemble Pie: Line pie dish with first crust layer, distributing cherry filling evenly. Optional: sprinkle ground cinnamon and dot with butter fragments to elevate taste complexity.
- Craft Decorative Top: Create either an intricate lattice pattern or full crust top. If using complete crust, puncture small steam vents to prevent pressure buildup during baking.
- Finish and Bake: Seal pie edges with an elegant crimped border. Brush with egg white and sprinkle sugar for a golden, glistening exterior. Bake for 40-45 minutes, protecting crust with aluminum foil if browning too quickly.
- Cool and Serve: Allow pie to rest on a wire rack for several hours, ensuring filling sets perfectly. Slice and serve at room temperature or slightly chilled, revealing a luscious, jewel-toned filling.
Notes
- Precision Matters: Measure ingredients accurately using kitchen scales for consistent results.
- Cherry Selection: Choose ripe, firm cherries without bruises for the best flavor and texture.
- Cornstarch Control: Whisk cornstarch thoroughly to prevent lumps and ensure a smooth, glossy filling.
- Temperature Technique: Allow pie to cool completely for at least 3-4 hours to achieve perfect slice stability.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 24 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 49 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg