Flavors of America

1789 Cherry Pie

8 servings

Ingredients for the Filling

1 & 1/2 pounds pitted sour cherries, fresh or frozen
3/4 cup sugar
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1/4 cup cornstarch
2 & 1/2 tablespoon cold water

Method for the Filling

If the cherries are fresh, cook one half of the pitted cherries just until soft and the juice is released. Drain the juice (reserving the juice) and put the cherries aside.

If frozen, drain the juice (reserving the juice) and put the cherries aside.

Then bring about 1 cup of the cherry juice and the sugar to a boil.

Mix together the lemon juice, water, and the cornstarch until smooth. Add this mixture to the boiling juice, stirring constantly until the juice comes back to a boil and the consistency is thick. Remove from the heat, strain, stir in the reserved cherries. Allow to cool before using.

Method for the Dough

3 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 teaspoon salt
1 & 1/2 teaspoon sugar
9 tablespoons cold butter, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
3 tablespoons half-and-half

Method for Assembling

Combine the dry ingredients. Incorporate the cubes of cold butter quickly with the tips of your fingers until the flour is slightly granular and pea size lumps are formed. Add the half & half and mix until combined. Allow to rest in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour.

Roll out 1/2 of the dough into at least a 10''x 10'' rectangle about 1/8'' thick. Cut the rectangle into 1'' strips. Draw a circle the size of the outer edge of the pie pan onto a piece of parchment paper. Place the parchment on a cookie sheet. Arrange the strips into a lattice pattern on the parchment with the drawn circle as the guide. Place in the freezer until ready to use.

Roll out the remaining dough into a 12'' circle and about 1/8'' thick.
Line the bottom of the pie pan with the rolled out dough. Fill with the cherry filling. Remove the lattice from the freezer and flip over onto the pie. Trim the edges if needed to allow for crimping in a decorative pattern. Crimp the edges and bake in a 375 F. oven for about 45 minutes or till filling is bubbling and crust is golden.