• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to footer navigation
  • Skip to header navigation
  • Skip to privacy navigation
  • Skip to recipes navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Cook Well, Eat Well
  • Shop
  • Meet Shinee
  • Contact
Facebook Instagram Pinterest YouTube

Sweet & Savory

Cook Well, Eat Well

  • New? Start Here
  • Recipes
    • Appetizers
      • Dips
      • Meat-lovers
    • Desserts
      • Bars & Brownies
      • Cakes
      • Cheesecakes
      • French Macarons
      • Pastries
      • Pies
    • Dinner
    • Drinks
    • Salads
    • Seasonal
      • Summer Favorites
      • Easter
      • Christmas
      • Cinco de Mayo
      • Game Day
      • Halloween
      • New Year’s Eve
      • Thanksgiving
      • Valentine’s Day
  • Easter
  • Discover
    • Ingredients
    • Tools
  • Learn
    • Baking Basics
    • Cooking Basics
    • Advanced Techniques
    • How-To’s
  • Share
    • Seasonal
    • Party Planning 101
  • Facebook Instagram Pinterest YouTube
    Subscribe To Updates
Home » RECIPE » Desserts » Best Cherry Pie Recipe

Best Cherry Pie Recipe

Skip to Recipe Print Share
Share on:
By: Shinee Published: 3/09/2020Updated: 12/05/2022

This post may contain affiliate links. Read full disclosure

Sharing is caring!

8768 shares
  • Share
  • Tweet

This sweet cherry pie is always a winner! Thick and sweet cherry filling and buttery flaky crust make one irresistible bite! Plus, I shared 3 tips to avoid runny filling. Read on.

Homemade cherry pie with buttery flaky crust and thick cherry filling is easier than you may think! Besides my tried and tested recipe, you’ll learn 3 tips to avoid runny cherry pie filling and an easy way to make a fun pie crust design.

Homemade cherry pie with buttery flaky crust and thick cherry filling is easier than you may think! Besides my tried and tested recipe, you'll learn 3 tips to avoid runny cherry pie filling and an easy way to make a fun pie crust design. #cherrypie

Table of Contents

  • The Best Cherry Pie Recipe
  • How to prepare Sweet Cherry Pie Crust
  • Homemade Cherry Pie Recipe Ingredients
  • How to make Cherry Pie Filling
  • How to assemble Homemade Cherry Pie
  • How to decorate Cherry Pie
  • How to store Sweet Cherry Pie
  • Best Cherry Pie FAQs
  • The BEST Cherry Pie

The Best Cherry Pie Recipe

I’m so, so excited to share my favorite pie recipe with you!! This recipe is not only our family’s favorite, but it’s also our readers’ favorite! I’ve read many heart-warming reviews from those who tried this recipe and I can’t encourage you enough to give it a try too.

It’s simple, it’s easy and it’s insanely delicious. One slice is never enough for me!

Also, this easy cherry pie recipe is a perfect start for those who are just learning to bake a pie! I’ll show you a super simple way to make a fun design for your pie. No lattice skills required!

Delicious homemade sweet cherry pie from scratch. Easy recipe that your family will love!! #cherrypie

How to prepare Sweet Cherry Pie Crust

Any great pie starts with a great pie dough. Here’s my go-to all-butter pie crust recipe. I’ve shared everything you need to know on making perfectly buttery, flaky pie crust. After reading that post, I know you’ll be a master of pie crusts in no time!

  • Step 1. Once you make the dough per recipe, divide into 2 parts and chill them for at least 1 hour in the fridge.
  • Step 2. Roll them out into 10-11 inch disks. Line 9-inch pie plate with one of the crusts. Place both the pie plate and other pie crust in the fridge.

Homemade Cherry Pie Recipe Ingredients

  • Pie crust – I love my homemade all-butter pie crust, and I highly recommend it. You may use any pie crust you like.
  • Cherries – Use pitted sweet bing cherries for this recipe. Either fresh or frozen works for this recipe. You don’t need to thaw frozen cherries.
  • Granulated sugar – is to sweeten and thicken the cherry pie filling.
  • Cornstarch – thickens the sauce.
  • Lemon juice – brightens the flavor and balances out the sweetness. Use freshly squeezed lemon juice.
  • Almond extract – adds a perfect hint of almond which pairs perfectly with cherries.
  • Egg wash – helps the top crust brown nicely. You may use heavy cream instead as well.

How to make Cherry Pie Filling

This cherry pie filling recipe makes a nice and thick, sweet and syrupy (not cloyingly sweet though) filling with lots of whole fruits. Canned pie filling stands absolutely no chance next to this homemade version from scratch!!

And just because the filling is from scratch, it doesn’t mean you’ll be slaving over it for hours. In fact, it takes practically no effort on your part.

  • Step 1. Simply dump frozen or fresh pitted cherries into a saucepan and bring it to a boil.
  • Step 2. Whisk together sugar and cornstarch.
  • Step 3. Then stir in dry ingredients and flavorings.
  • Step 4. Simmer for about 5 minutes, stirring frequently, and voila!

It’s hard to mess up this cherry pie filling.

Homemade cherry pie filling is so easy to make and you can use either fresh or frozen cherries. More tips on how to make thick and not too sweet filling. #cherrypiefilling

3 Tips to Avoid Runny Filling:

  1. Don’t forget the cornstarch. It’s the main thickening agent here and omitting it will result in super runny filling.
  2. Lemon juice also helps with thickening the mixture. It’s not as crucial as cornstarch, but let’s just say you’ll notice the difference.
  3. Make sure to simmer the mixture to let it set properly. It usually takes about 5 minutes for me. Don’t forget to give a good stir frequently, so it doesn’t scorch on the bottom.

And of course, make sure to cool the baked pie completely for at least 4 hours before serving. The filling thickens as it cools!

Sweet cherries are perfect for homemade cherry pie! Learn the easiest method to pit cherries! #sweetcherries

Here’s how I prep cherries:

  1. Wash them thoroughly in a water bath and then rinse in colander.
  2. Pit them cherries one by one. Frankly, this’s my least favorite task, but this handy little tool makes this process a breeze. I’ve tried a few different pitting tricks and tools, so far this tool is the winner for its efficiency and accuracy! (Yes, there’s a similar tool with 6 slots, but I don’t trust that every single seed comes out. Even if 1 or 2 seeds get missed, it could potentially lead to someone breaking a tooth! Ask me how I know this!)
  3. I divide the pitted cherries into freezer bags, 4 cups of cherries in each bag, which is what you need for 1 pie. Then label and freeze! Make sure to squeeze out all the air and flatten the bag for easy storage.

Now that the filling is ready, let’s assemble the whole pie and bake!

How to assemble Homemade Cherry Pie

  • Step 1. Pour the hot pie filling into the prepared pie dish.
  • Step 2. Put the butter pieces all over.
  • Step 3. Roll out the top curst over the filling and brush on the egg wash.

Step by step tutorial for the BEST cherry pie recipe! Your new family favorite pie!!! #cherrypie

How to decorate Cherry Pie

While a beautiful lattice work is impressive and all, I don’t quite have the patience or time to do that. I just want to bake my pie and eat it! Haha

So if you’re like me, here’s my tip for relatively cute solution… Cut out polka dots using a simple round piping tip. You can use both end to cut out different size rounds.

TIP: Brush on egg wash after you cut out the circles and before transferring onto the pie.

Nothing beat homemade cherry pie! This's a must try #cherrypierecipe

How to store Sweet Cherry Pie

Does cherry pie need to be refrigerated?

Cherry pie can be stored at room temperature for up to 2 days, covered with plastic wrap.

Best Cherry Pie FAQs

What cherries are best for pies?

There’re sweet and sour cherries on the market. However, I feel like sweet cherries are more common, and that’s what I use for my cherry pie. During cherry season in summer, I buy a large case of sweet cherries to stock my freezer for the winter. Both fresh and frozen cherries work wonderfully for this cherry pie!

How long to bake a cherry pie?

Bake cherry pie for 45-50 minutes at 375°F, or until the top crust is golden brown.

How do you thicken cherry pie filling for pie?

Proper amount of sugar combined with cornstarch thickens the cherry pie. Be sure to bring the sauce to a boil after adding the cornstarch to activate the thickening properties.

Got cherries? Make this delicious cherry pie recipe and you won't regret it one bit!! #cherrypie

The BEST Cherry Pie

Homemade cherry pie with buttery flaky crust and thick cherry filling is easier than you may think! Besides my tried and tested recipe, you'll learn 3 tips to avoid runny cherry pie filling and an easy way to make a fun pie crust design.
4.73 from 22 votes
serves: 8 servings
Prep: 1 hour 30 minutes
Cook: 55 minutes
Total : 2 hours 25 minutes
Print
Leave a Review

Ingredients

For pie crust:

  • 1 ½ cups 190g all-purpose flour
  • ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
  • ½ cup 113g unsalted butter, cut into ½ tablespoon pieces and frozen
  • 1 egg yolk
  • 3-4 tablespoons ice water

For cherry pie filling:

  • 4 cups pitted sweet cherries fresh or frozen
  • ½ cup 100gr sugar
  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ½ teaspoon almond extract
  • 1 ½ tablespoons butter cut into small cubes and frozen
  • 1 egg for egg wash
Note: I test all my recipes with both measurements for the most precise and accurate result!

Instructions

  • To make the pie dough, in a large mixing bowl with a paddle attachment, mix together flour and salt. (Alternatively, you can use a pastry cutter, instead of stand mixer.)
  • Add frozen butter cubes and egg yolk. Mix on lowest/stir speed until the butter pieces are about pea-size.
  • Add ice water one tablespoon at a time, until the dough forms into a ball. Depending on humidity, you might not need all the water, or you might need additional couple of tablespoons. That’s why you need to add it one tablespoon at a time until big clumps of dough sticks together. Too much water will make the dough too sticky and hard to work with. TIP: Don’t be alarmed if you see small pieces/swirls of butter in the dough, that’s exactly what you want to see! Those butter pieces will melt during baking and create the most tender and flaky crust.
  • Divide the dough into 2 equal parts and wrap each dough ball with a plastic wrap. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
  • Roll out each dough into a 10 to 11-inch circle on a floured surface. Transfer one crust onto 9-inch pie dish. Refrigerate the prepared pie dish and top crust while making the filling.
  • To make the cherry pie filling, place the cherries (if frozen, no need to thaw in advance) in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Bring it to a boil.
  • In a separate bowl, mix together sugar, cornstarch and salt.
  • Add sugar mixture, vanilla extract, almond extract and lemon juice into the boiling cherries. Mix well.
  • Reduce the heat to low and simmer the cherry mixture stirring frequently until thickened, for 4-5 minutes. Remove from heat and cool for a few minutes.
  • Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
  • To assemble the pie, in a small bowl, beat the egg with 1 tablespoon of water to make an egg wash.
  • Bring out the top crust and, if desired, cut out small circles, using a round piping tip, in the middle of the crust within 8-inch radius. Brush on egg wash all over the top crust.
  • Remove the prepared pie dish from the fridge and pour the cherry filling.
  • Throw in butter cubes in the filling.
  • Carefully transfer the top crust with a rolling pin over the filling. Crimp the edges however you like. If you didn’t cut out polka dots, make 3 small slits in the crust for steam to escape.
  • Bake for about 45-50 minutes, or until golden brown.
  • Let the pie cool completely for at least 4 hours on the counter before serving. The filling will thicken further as it cools.
  • Serve with whipped cream, or better yet with vanilla ice cream. Enjoy!
  • Store the leftovers in the fridge, covered, for up to 5 days.

Tips & Notes:

Make-Ahead Tip: You can bake the pie 1 day in advance. Store in the fridge, covered. You can also freeze the baked pie, well wrapped, for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge.
You can also break up the project into smaller tasks:
  1. Make the pie dough in advance. Refrigerate it for up to 3 days, or freeze it for up to 3 months.
  2. Make the cherry pie filling in advance. Refrigerate for 1-2 days, or freeze for up to 3 months.
  3. When ready to bake, assemble the pie per recipe.

Nutrition Facts:

Calories: 323kcal (16%) Carbohydrates: 44g (15%) Protein: 4g (8%) Fat: 15g (23%) Saturated Fat: 9g (56%) Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g Monounsaturated Fat: 4g Trans Fat: 1g Cholesterol: 81mg (27%) Sodium: 275mg (12%) Potassium: 196mg (6%) Fiber: 2g (8%) Sugar: 22g (24%) Vitamin A: 527IU (11%) Vitamin C: 6mg (7%) Calcium: 23mg (2%) Iron: 2mg (11%)
* Disclaimer: All nutrition information are estimates only. Read full disclosure here.
Author: Shinee
Course:Dessert
Cuisine:American
Did you make this?Show me your creation! Tag me @shineshka and hashtag it #sweetandsavorybyshinee!
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Yummly

This recipe was originally published on September 17th, 2013, and last updated on March 9th, 2020.

Related Recipes

  • All Butter Pie Crust Recipe
  • Cherry Cheesecake Pie
  • Orange Meringue Pie
  • Classic lemon meringue pie recipe with lots of tips and tricks for a perfect pie every time! No more weeping and shrinking. This's the BEST! #lemonmeringuepie
    Lemon Meringue Pie Recipe

Never Miss a Recipe!

Subscribe and receive my FREE Portion Planning Cheat Sheet for Cocktail and Dinner Parties.

Previous Post
Mint Macarons
Next Post
How to Make a Roux

Reader Interactions

Leave a Review Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *
Made this? Rate this recipe:




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

  1. Jodie Atwood says

    Posted on 2 January 2023 at 7:58 am

    5 stars
    This is a delicious recipe! I made it for New Year’s Eve, however, I used a pre-made crust ( because I had it and it was a last minute decision) and did a crumble topping. Yummy!

    Reply
  2. Diane F Cline says

    Posted on 27 November 2022 at 6:07 am

    5 stars
    I made this pie for Thanksgiving, the sweet cherry pie. I followed it exactly. It was beautiful. I was so proud of myself. On to desert. Everyone that had it loved it. I loved it. I will try more of your pies. I became the family pie maker when mom had to stop. When anything said add an egg, she did, shell and all. Thank you for a great recipe.

    Reply
  3. Sherry DaSilva says

    Posted on 9 August 2022 at 7:24 am

    5 stars
    This is my husband’s favourite pie! Thank you for sharing a great recipe!

    Reply
    • Shinee says

      Posted on 14 August 2022 at 5:30 pm

      Hope you all enjoyed it! Thank you for your feedback, Sherry!

      Reply
  4. Carefree In The Kitchen says

    Posted on 15 April 2022 at 11:13 am

    5 stars
    Wow!!! Cherry pie is one of my absolute favorite desserts, and this one did not disappoint!!! The recipe is well-written, explained and easy to follow, and the results were fantastic. No runny filling!!! It set up perfectly!!!! I also absolutely loved the adorable design of the pie crust, so whimsical and cute. I will definitely be checking out more recipes from Sweet and Savory. Thank you for adding to my fun in the kitchen.

    Reply
  5. Lisa says

    Posted on 14 October 2021 at 2:36 pm

    5 stars
    I love cherry pie, but had never really made it myself. I must say this was even better than I expected! Excellent recipe!

    Reply
  6. DeeDee says

    Posted on 5 August 2020 at 6:01 am

    Looks delicious!  Can I use Ranier cherries?  Thank you.

    Reply
    • Shinee says

      Posted on 5 August 2020 at 9:32 am

      Hi, DeeDee. I don’t recommend rainier cherries for making a pie, because they’re much sweeter and have low acidity compared to dark cherries.

      Reply
  7. Katie says

    Posted on 17 July 2020 at 5:05 pm

    Hi! This is provably a very silly question but are we supposed to double the dough? I looked at the link to the post on the dough & it said it could be doubled for two-crust pies, but then in the instructions here it has the same quantities of each ingredient as that post and says just to divide it before refrigerating. Looks great, I just don’t want to mess it up and I’m not a pie baker!!

    Reply
    • Shinee says

      Posted on 18 July 2020 at 5:17 pm

      Hi, Katie. Very valid question. Sorry for the confusion. I use just one crust and divide it into 2. I like how the crust comes out thin this way. Hope you’ll give it a try.

      Reply
      • D says

        Posted on 24 November 2021 at 12:30 pm

        4 stars
        Hi, I also found that the measurements for the dough were not enough for two pie crusts. I ended up just making the bottom crust. Maybe make a note in the instructions so that people who want to make this recipe don’t have to read through all of the comments first? Other than that, the recipe is awesome and I love the buttons idea!

        Reply
  8. Melissa Goins says

    Posted on 15 July 2020 at 6:59 pm

    5 stars
    This recipe was “out of this world!” This is my first cherry pie and it was perfect. Gone on the first try. Thank you for sharing this recipe! 

    Reply
    • Shinee says

      Posted on 16 July 2020 at 4:33 pm

      Yay, so happy you loved it, Melissa. Thank you for your feedback!

      Reply
  9. Rebecca Lemanowicz says

    Posted on 2 July 2020 at 5:28 am

    5 stars
    So delicious!! I used fresh local sweet cherries. I didn’t quite have 4 cups of cherries so the filling is a little less. The crust is buttery and flaky and the cherry filling is out of this world! I will absolutely be making this again.. and again! Excellent recipe, thank you!!

    Reply
  10. Amy Hess says

    Posted on 28 November 2019 at 10:58 pm

    5 stars
    I made this pie for Thanksgiving Dinner this year and it turned out great! I used sweet, frozen cherries. I also used the recipe for the pie dough. All went well. I agree, you should weigh the flour.
    Thanks for the recipe!

    Reply
    • Shinee says

      Posted on 6 December 2019 at 11:38 pm

      Fantastic. I’m so happy you enjoyed the pie. Thank you for your feedback, Amy!!

      Reply
  11. Tiffany Hatch says

    Posted on 27 November 2019 at 6:14 pm

    5 stars
    I have made this pie for three Thanksgivings now. It is the first dessert gone and the family calls dibs to get their piece. We just LOVE it!
    Thank you so much for a great recipe we will always prepare. 

    Reply
    • Shinee says

      Posted on 28 November 2019 at 10:54 am

      Wow, so happy to read this comment, Tiffany! Thank you so much!!! Happy Thanksgiving!

      Reply
  12. Rosann says

    Posted on 23 November 2019 at 9:32 am

    5 stars
    This is the best cherry pie I’ve ever eaten.  I also remember have whipped cream with it.  You mentioned using yogurt with the heavy cream but I don’t remember the proportions or when to add the yogurt, sugar and vanilla to the heavy cream.  

    Reply
    • Shinee says

      Posted on 23 November 2019 at 1:44 pm

      Thank you so much, aunt Rosann!!! I’m so happy you loved this cherry pie! Here’s the yogurt whipped cream recipe: https://www.sweetandsavorybyshinee.com/yogurt-whipped-cream/

      Reply
  13. Danielle Hines says

    Posted on 26 October 2019 at 6:58 am

    5 stars
    I love this recipe. I’ve made it two years in a row for a charity event and it always looks beautiful and tastes delicious. 

    Reply
    • Shinee says

      Posted on 27 October 2019 at 1:18 pm

      Yay, so cool! Thank you so much for sharing your feedback, Danielle!!!

      Reply
Older Comments

Primary Sidebar

Welcome!

Hi, I’m Shinee! I’m so happy you’re here! I believe anyone can cook restaurant-quality food at home! And my goal is to help you to become a confident cook with my easy-to-follow recipes with lots of tips and step-by-step photos.

New? Start Here

Browse Specialties

Main Dishes Side Dishes Appetizers Salads Breads & Pastries Cakes Macarons Drinks Browse All
Portion Planning 101
Free Dinner Party Cheat Sheet
Download Now

Popular Recipes

Yellow and white macarons.

French Macarons for Beginners

Best Prime Rib Roast (Bone-In)

This is the simplest and moistest banana bread - easy to make and yields 2 breads! #bananabread

Best Moist Banana Bread Recipe

A plate full of chocolate chip cookies.

Egg Yolk Cookies

How to Make Homemade Pistachio Paste

sliced plain sponge cake layers

Easy Sponge Cake (3 Ingredient Cake)

Brunch Recipes

Blueberry muffins on a wire rack.

Blueberry Cheesecake Muffins

a stack of waffles with berries

Waffles Recipe

slices of chocolate banana bread

Chocolate Banana Bread

Strawberry Cheesecake Tart

Smoked salmon quiche with creamy soft custard and fresh asparagus and dill - a perfect brunch for special occasions or a nice light dinner served with fresh green salad. #smokedsalmonquiche #quiche

Smoked Salmon Quiche

Sliced scone with butter and jam.

Foolproof English Scones

Game Day Eats

Cooked bacon jalapeno poppers on a baking sheet.

finger food:

3-Ingredient Jalapeno Poppers

meat:

Beer BBQ Meatballs

Bean dip in a casserole dish with a portion being scooped with a chip.

dip:

3-Ingredient Bean Dip

appetizer:

Bacon Wrapped Cheesy Crackers

sandwich:

Philly Cheese Steak Sliders

dessert:

5-Ingredient Pineapple Cake

Facebook Instagram Pinterest YouTube

Never Miss A Recipe

Subscribe and receive my FREE Portion Planning Cheat!

  • Discover
    • Recipe Index
    • Tools & Gadgets
    • Ingredients
  • Learn
    • Baking Basics
    • Cooking Basics
    • Advanced Techniques
  • Share
    • Holidays
    • Appetizers
    • Party Planning 101
  • Back To Top
  • About
  • Work With Me
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact
© 2013-2023 Sweet & Savory Site Credits Designed by Melissa Rose Design Developed by Once Coupled Exclusive member of Mediavine Food
Opens in a new window Opens an external site Opens an external site in a new window

Subscribe and Receive My FREE Portion Planning Cheat!