Cherry Pie is a classic American dessert that is deceptively simple to make yet always a crowd pleaser. Ina Garten, the Barefoot Contessa, has a delicious recipe that uses fresh cherries and a hint of almond extract to make a truly delicious pie. Whether you’re a novice baker or an experienced one, you’ll love this recipe!
To make Ina Garten’s Cherry Pie, you will need the following ingredients:
2 9-inch pie crusts
5-6 cups of fresh cherries, pitted
1/2 cup white sugar
3 tablespoons of cornstarch
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon almond extract
2 tablespoons of butter, cut into small pieces
1 tablespoon of heavy cream
1 teaspoon of sugar for topping
Start by preheating your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Next, roll out one of your pie crusts and place in a 9-inch pie plate. In a medium bowl, combine the cherries, white sugar, cornstarch, salt, and almond extract. Stir until the cherries are evenly coated. Pour the cherry mixture into the pie crust and dot with the butter. Cover the cherry mixture with the second pie crust, crimp the edges together with a fork, and cut several slits in the top of the crust. Brush the top of the crust with the heavy cream and sprinkle with sugar. Place the pie on a baking sheet and bake for 45 minutes or until the top is golden brown. Let the pie cool before serving.
Tips and Ideas
If you like your pies a little sweeter, you can add up to 1/4 cup of additional sugar to the cherry mixture. You can also experiment with different extracts instead of almond extract, such as vanilla or lemon. If you are using frozen cherries, make sure to thaw and drain them before using. For a fun twist, try adding a layer of almond paste to the bottom of the pie crust before adding the cherry mixture.
Cherry Pie is the perfect dessert for special occasions or just for a tasty treat. Ina Garten’s recipe is easy to follow and yields a delicious pie that is sure to please. Get creative with your own variations or keep it classic with Ina’s recipe — either way, you can’t go wrong!