A timeless dessert that’s as elegant as it is delicious. This Cherry Delight is a perfect blend of sweet, tart, and creamy flavors, encased in a buttery crust. It’s a crowd-pleaser that’s sure to impress.
Ingredients:
For the Crust:
- 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, cold and cubed
- ¼ cup packed light brown sugar
- 2-3 tablespoons ice water
For the Filling:
- 14 ounces pitted dark sweet cherries, fresh or frozen
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 3 tablespoons cornstarch
- ¼ teaspoon almond extract
- Pinch of salt
For the Topping:
- 1 cup heavy cream, cold
- ¼ cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions:
Make the Crust:
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour and salt.
- Cut in Butter: Add the cold butter cubes to the flour mixture. Using a pastry blender or your fingers, cut the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. 1 1. farmhouseharvest.net farmhouseharvest.net
- Add Wet Ingredients: Stir in the brown sugar. Gradually add ice water, 1 tablespoon at a time, tossing with a fork until the dough just comes together.
- Form Dough: Divide the dough in half, shape each half into a disk, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
- Roll Out Dough: On a lightly floured surface, roll out one disk of dough to a 12-inch circle. Transfer to a 9-inch pie plate.
- Prepare Filling: In a medium bowl, combine the cherries, granulated sugar, cornstarch, almond extract, and salt.
- Assemble Pie: Pour the cherry filling into the pie crust. Roll out the remaining dough and cut into strips. Weave the strips over the filling to create a lattice top.
- Bake: Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Bake the pie for 20 minutes, then reduce heat to 350°F (175°C) and bake for an additional 35-40 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the filling is bubbly.
- Cool: Let the pie cool completely on a wire rack.
Make the Topping:
- Whip Cream: In a chilled bowl, beat the heavy cream with an electric mixer until soft peaks form.
- Add Sweeteners: Gradually add the powdered sugar and vanilla extract, beating until stiff peaks form.
Serve: Top the cooled pie with the whipped cream and serve immediately.
Tips:
- For a shortcut, use a pre-made pie crust.
- If using frozen cherries, thaw them completely before using.
- Adjust the sweetness of the filling to your preference.
- For a more intense cherry flavor, add a splash of cherry liqueur to the filling.
Enjoy this classic dessert with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for the ultimate indulgence!