There’s nothing quite like the taste of fresh cherries, especially when they’re baked into a warm, comforting dessert. Today, I’m sharing two fantastic cherry pie recipes that I know you’ll absolutely love making and eating. Whether you want a classic, big pie or fun, bite-sized treats, I have you covered.
I find both of these recipes so simple to follow, and the results are always wonderful. Let’s get baking and make some lovely cherry desserts together!
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Easy Best Homemade Cherry Pie Recipe
This classic cherry pie is warm, sweet, and bursting with fruit flavor. It’s the perfect dessert to share with family or enjoy by yourself.
Key Ingredients & Tips for Cherry Pie
- Choose Your Cherries: You can use fresh sweet or tart cherries for this pie. If using fresh, make sure to pit them well. Frozen cherries work too, just thaw and drain them first.
- Crust Options: Feel free to use your favorite homemade pie crust recipe or a good quality store-bought one. The pie will be delicious either way.
- Thickening the Filling: Cornstarch or flour helps the cherry juice thicken into a nice sauce. Don’t skip this step, it keeps your pie from being too watery.
What You Need for Homemade Cherry Pie
- 2 (9-inch) unbaked pie crusts
- 6 cups fresh or frozen pitted cherries (about 2 lbs)
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup cornstarch or all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract (optional, but good!)
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
- 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)
⏱️ Time: Prep 30 mins, Cook 50 mins🍽️ Yields: 8 servings
How to Make This Cherry Pie
Step 1: Get Cherries Ready
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). In a big bowl, gently mix the cherries, sugar, cornstarch (or flour), lemon juice, and almond extract. Make sure everything is well combined and the cherries are coated.
Step 2: Build Your Pie
Put one pie crust into a 9-inch pie plate. Pour the cherry filling evenly into the crust. Dot the top of the filling with the small pieces of butter. Place the second pie crust over the filling. You can make a lattice top, cut vents, or just lay it over. Crimp the edges of both crusts together to seal.
Step 3: Bake Until Golden
Brush the top crust with the beaten egg. This helps it get a beautiful golden-brown color. Place the pie on a baking sheet to catch any drips, then bake for 15 minutes at 400°F. Reduce the oven temperature to 375°F (190°C) and continue baking for another 35-40 minutes, or until the crust is golden and the filling is bubbly.
📝 Final Note for Perfect Pie
It’s really important to let your pie cool down completely, for at least 3-4 hours, before slicing. This allows the filling to set properly, so it won’t run everywhere when you cut into it.
Easy Cherry Pie Bites Recipe
These little cherry pie bites are so much fun and super easy to make. They are perfect for parties, snacks, or when you just want a small sweet treat.
Key Ingredients & Tips for Cherry Bites
- Puff Pastry is Your Friend: Using store-bought puff pastry makes these bites incredibly quick. Make sure it’s thawed but still cold enough to work with easily.
- Filling Choice: Canned cherry pie filling is perfect for these little treats because it’s already sweetened and thickened. If you want to use fresh, you’ll need to cook and thicken them first.
- Don’t Overfill: Just a small spoonful of filling is enough for each bite. Too much filling can make them burst during baking.
What You Need for Cherry Pie Bites
- 1 sheet (about 9×9 inches) frozen puff pastry, thawed
- 1 cup canned cherry pie filling
- 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar (for sprinkling)
- Optional: Powdered sugar for dusting or a simple glaze
⏱️ Time: Prep 15 mins, Cook 20 mins🍽️ Yields: 12-16 bites
How to Make These Cherry Bites
Step 1: Prep Pastry & Filling
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Unroll your thawed puff pastry sheet on a lightly floured surface. Using a knife or pizza cutter, cut the pastry into 12-16 squares. Place about 1 teaspoon of cherry pie filling in the center of each pastry square.
Step 2: Fold and Seal Bites
Carefully fold one corner of the pastry square over to the opposite corner, making a triangle. Gently press the edges together to seal the filling inside. You can use a fork to crimp the edges for a nicer look and a better seal. Place the shaped bites onto your prepared baking sheet.
Step 3: Bake Golden Cherry Bites
Brush the tops of each pastry bite with the beaten egg. This helps them turn golden and shiny. Sprinkle a little granulated sugar over them if you like. Bake for 18-20 minutes, or until the pastry is puffed up and golden brown.
📝 Final Note for Cherry Bites
Let the cherry pie bites cool for a few minutes before serving. You can dust them with powdered sugar or drizzle a simple glaze (powdered sugar mixed with a little milk) over them once they are completely cool.