National Cherry Pie Day

February 20: National Cherry Pie Day

National Cherry Pie Day

February 20th is National Cherry Pie Day. Crisp crust with a tart cherry filling is the pie of the day. It may be eaten warm or cold, with whipped cream or ice cream. The most common varieties baked into a pie are morello and black cherry. According to the American Pie Council, Queen Elizabeth I is credited for the invention of the cherry pie.

Some suggest this day coincides with George Washington’s birthday, but his birthday is on the 22nd. Fresh cherries are not available this time of year, so it probably doesn’t have anything to do with the growing season. Perhaps it’s a follow-up to Valentine’s Day? Whatever the origin, the cherry pie is a wonderfully tart-sweet treat that’s a wonderful winter pick-me up.

Cherry Pie

4 cups frozen tart cherries, thawed, or 2 (14-1/2 oz.) cans pitted tart cherries
1 to 1-1/2 cups granulated sugar
4 tablespoons cornstarch
1/8 tablespoon almond extract
pie dough for 2 crust pie
1-1/2 tablespoons butter
water
1 tablespoon granulated sugar

Place cherries in saucepan along with all the juices from thawing. Stir in sugar, cornstarch, and almond extract. Heat mixture over a low until mixture thickens, stirring frequently. Remove from the heat and let cool. If the filling is too thick, add water; too thin, add cornstarch. Preheat oven to 375F. Place dough in pie pan. Pour in cooled cherry mixture. Dot with butter. Moisten edge of bottom crust, place on top crust on and seal the edges. Make a few slits in the crust to vent steam. Brush crust with water, then sprinkle with sugar. Bake 50 minutes.

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⇴ image purchased from vecteezy

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