Preheat oven to 425°F Prep Time: 20 minutes Makes: 1 9” inch pie or 12 tarts 6 cups cherries, pitted 1 1/2 cup sugar pinch cinnamon pinch salt 4 1/2 Tbsp cornstarch 1/4 cup cold water 1 tsp vanilla Instructions Combine cornstarch and water and mix until combined (slurry)
In a medium saucepan combine, cherries, sugar, cinnamon, salt and slurry bring to a boil, lower heat to maintain a simmer and cook until thickened about 15 minutes. Remove from heat and add vanilla. Cool to room temperature before adding to pie crust.
Brush pastry with egg wash for a golden brown finish.
Option: sprinkle with sugar for a nice crunch and caramelization
Cook pie for 15 minutes, lower oven temp to 375°F and continue cooking until golden brown. (Place a baking sheet in the oven while the oven preheats)
Pastry Crust
Prep Time: 10 minutes (rest time: 60 minutes) Makes: 2 crusts for 9” inch pie (12 tarts)
1 cup unsalted butter- cold cut into small pieces 2 1/2 cup all purpose flour 1 tsp kosher salt 1 tsp sugar 1/4 - 1/2 cup ice water
Egg Wash Whisk to combine 1 large egg 1 Tbsp cold water
Instructions In a medium bowl add flour, sugar and salt and mix to combine. Add butter and combine with a fork or pastry blender until mixture looks likes small pebbles. When I think the mixture is just about the right consistency I use my hands to makes sure there are no large chunks of butter remaining.
Add the water a Tbsp at a time and combine with a fork. The dough is the correct consistency when it clumps together in a ball. You may not use all the water, humidity will affect the amount needed.
Divide dough into 2 equal parts, wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate at least 30 minutes before rolling out.
Roll into 2 disks that are about 10-11 inches round, fill with your favourite filling and refrigerate 30 minutes before baking in a preheated oven.