5 Best Cherry Pie Recipes to Try at Home | Easy Recipes
Nothing beats the love baked into a homemade cherry pie. While store-bought versions are convenient, they lack the magic you create in your own kitchen. When you make it yourself, you control the freshness—using plump, juicy cherries bursting with flavor. You can adjust the sweetness to your liking and craft a buttery, flaky crust exactly how you love it. Plus, baking a cherry pie is more than dessert; it’s about creating memories. The smell filling your home, the laughter shared while rolling dough, the pride of serving it warm—these moments turn baking into a cherished tradition.
Table of Contents
Essential Tools & Ingredients
Must-Have Kitchen Tools
You don’t need fancy gadgets, but these basics make baking easier:
- A 9-inch pie dish (glass or ceramic works best)
- Pastry cutter or food processor for dough
- Cherry pitter (trust us, this saves hours!)
- Rolling pin and pastry brush
Cherry Pie Staples
Cherries: Fresh tart cherries (like Montmorency) are ideal, but frozen work great off-season. Avoid canned—they’re too mushy!
Sweeteners: Granulated sugar for filling, coarse sugar for crust sparkle.
Thickeners: Cornstarch (clear finish) or tapioca (extra-gooey texture).
5 Best Cherry Pie Recipes
1. Classic Lattice-Top Cherry Pie
The all-American star that never disappoints.
Ingredients:
- 5 cups tart cherries, pitted
- 1 cup sugar
- 3 tbsp cornstarch
- 1 tbsp butter
- Double-crust pastry (homemade or store-bought)
Step-by-Step Instructions:
- Mix cherries, sugar, and cornstarch. Let sit 15 mins.
- Roll out bottom crust; place in pie dish. Add filling. Dot with butter.
- Cut top crust into 1-inch strips. Weave over filling in a lattice pattern.
- Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 45-50 mins until bubbly and golden.
Pro Tip: Brush lattice with egg wash (1 egg + 1 tbsp milk) before baking for a glossy finish.
2. Rustic Dutch Cherry Pie
Craving crumble? This streusel-topped wonder is for you.
Ingredients:
- 4 cups sweet cherries (like Bing)
- ½ cup brown sugar
- Topping: ¾ cup oats, ½ cup flour, ⅓ cup cold butter, ¼ cup brown sugar
Step-by-Step Instructions:
- Toss cherries with sugar; pour into single pastry crust.
- Combine topping ingredients until crumbly. Sprinkle over cherries.
- Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 40 mins.
Pro Tip: Stir ¼ cup sliced almonds into the topping for nutty crunch.
3. Vegan Gluten-Free Cherry Pie
All the flavor, zero dairy or gluten!
Ingredients:
- Crust: 2 cups gluten-free flour, ⅔ cup coconut oil, 4 tbsp ice water
- Filling: 4 cups cherries, ⅔ cup maple syrup, 3 tbsp arrowroot powder
Step-by-Step Instructions:
- Pulse crust ingredients in a food processor until crumbly. Press into pie dish.
- Simmer filling ingredients 5 mins; cool slightly. Pour into crust.
- Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 30-35 mins.
Pro Tip: Freeze the crust for 20 minutes before baking to prevent shrinking.
4. Bourbon-Infused Cherry Pie
A grown-up twist with a boozy kick.
Ingredients:
- 5 cups dark sweet cherries
- ½ cup bourbon
- Zest of 1 orange
- ¾ cup sugar + ¼ cup for sprinkling
Step-by-Step Instructions:
- Simmer cherries, bourbon, orange zest, and ¾ cup sugar for 10 mins. Cool.
- Pour into double crust. Cut 4-5 slits in top crust for steam.
- Bake at 400°F (205°C) for 25 mins, then 350°F (175°C) for 30 mins.
Pro Tip: Sprinkle flaky sea salt on crust before baking to balance sweetness.
5. Quick Mini Cherry Hand Pies
Portable, adorable, and ready in 45 minutes!
Ingredients:
- 1 sheet puff pastry
- 1 cup cherry compote (cooked cherries + 2 tbsp sugar)
- Powdered sugar for dusting
Step-by-Step Instructions:
- Cut pastry into 12 squares.
- Spoon 1 tbsp compote onto each square. Fold diagonally; seal edges with a fork.
- Bake at 400°F (205°C) for 15-18 mins. Air-fryer option: 350°F (175°C) for 10 mins.
Pro Tip: Freeze unbaked hand pies for up to 3 months—bake straight from frozen!
Expert Tips for Perfect Cherry Pie
Avoiding Soggy Bottoms
- Blind bake your crust: Line with parchment, fill with pie weights, bake 10 mins at 400°F (205°C) before adding filling.
- Toss cherries with thickener just before baking to prevent juice seepage.
Cherry Selection Guide
- Tart cherries (e.g., Montmorency): Best for traditional pies.
- Sweet cherries (e.g., Bing): Ideal for Dutch pies or compotes.
- Pitting hack: Use a chopstick to push pits through cherries!
Storage & Serving Ideas
- Store covered at room temp for 2 days, or refrigerate for 5 days.
- Reheat slices in the air fryer (3 mins at 325°F/165°C) for crispy crust.
- Serve à la mode with vanilla ice cream or whipped coconut cream.
Troubleshooting Common Cherry Pie Issues
Runny filling? Stir 1 tsp cornstarch + 1 tsp water into the hot filling; simmer 2 mins.
Cracked crust? Avoid overworking dough. Keep ingredients cold.
Over-browned edges? Shield with aluminum foil after 20 mins of baking.
Conclusion
Whether you’re craving the nostalgia of a Classic Lattice-Top Cherry Pie or the fun of Mini Hand Pies, these five recipes are your ticket to baking joy. Each bite celebrates the simple pleasure of homemade goodness. So tie on your apron, grab those cherries, and let’s bake memories together!
Your turn! 🥧 Which cherry pie will you try first? Snap a photo of your creation and tag us—we’d love to see your delicious masterpieces!
