Easy Cherry Pie Recipe: A Deliciously Simple Dessert
This easy cherry pie recipe is perfect for beginner bakers and those short on time. It delivers all the juicy, sweet goodness of a classic cherry pie without the complicated steps. Get ready to impress your friends and family with this surprisingly simple yet delightful dessert!
Ingredients You'll Need:
This recipe uses readily available ingredients, making it a breeze to prepare.
For the Crust:
- 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, chilled and cubed
- 1/4 cup ice water
For the Filling:
- 4 cups fresh or frozen pitted cherries (if using frozen, thaw and drain well)
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
Step-by-Step Instructions:
This recipe breaks down the pie-making process into easy-to-follow steps, perfect for even the most inexperienced bakers.
Making the Crust:
- Combine dry ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour and salt.
- Cut in the butter: Add the chilled butter cubes and use a pastry blender or your fingertips to cut the butter into the flour mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs. Work quickly to prevent the butter from melting.
- Add the water: Gradually add the ice water, a tablespoon at a time, mixing lightly until the dough just comes together. Don't overmix.
- Chill the dough: Form the dough into two discs, wrap in plastic wrap, and chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. This will prevent shrinkage during baking.
Assembling the Pie:
- Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Roll out the dough: On a lightly floured surface, roll out one disc of dough into a 12-inch circle. Carefully transfer it to a 9-inch pie plate.
- Prepare the filling: In a large bowl, gently combine the cherries, sugar, cornstarch, lemon juice, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
- Fill the crust: Pour the cherry filling into the prepared pie crust.
- Top the pie: Roll out the second disc of dough and either place it over the filling or cut it into strips for a lattice top. Crimp the edges to seal. Cut slits in the top crust to allow steam to escape.
- Bake: Bake for 45-50 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the filling is bubbly. If the crust starts to brown too quickly, cover the edges with foil.
- Cool and serve: Let the pie cool completely on a wire rack before slicing and serving. Enjoy!
Tips for the Best Cherry Pie:
- Use fresh, high-quality cherries: The flavor of your pie will be significantly impacted by the quality of your cherries.
- Don't overmix the filling: Overmixing can make the filling gummy.
- Let the pie cool completely: This allows the filling to set properly and prevents a messy pie.
- Add a scoop of vanilla ice cream: For the ultimate indulgence, serve a slice of warm cherry pie with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
This easy cherry pie recipe is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. With minimal effort, you can create a delicious dessert that everyone will love. So, gather your ingredients, roll up your sleeves, and get baking! Remember to share your delicious creations and tag us! #EasyCherryPie #HomemadePie #CherryPieRecipe #BakingMadeEasy
