A perfect summer pie – we would probably request 2 scoops of ice cream…naturally. And we’re already excited for next week’s cheese-centric post (Wisconsin? Pretty please?).
Thank you for posting this! It seems like sour cherry pies are making a comeback this summer, which I am all too thankful for! My grandma’s version of the recipe is nearly identical, which just goes to show that this pie has needed few improvements over the past six decades!
I absolutely love all sorts of cherries but I still haven’t made a pie. All that pitting deters me. I know, they have cherry pitter devices, but still seems like a lot of work.
This is my favorite dessert – bar none. Grew up in Indiana and our neighbor had a sour cherry tree and would let us pick it clean. Can’t put in words how good they were. But now I live in CA and have a hard time finding fresh sour cherries. Sadness.
Recipe note: My mom always put in a drop or two of almond extract in the cherries instead of vanilla – really brings out the cherry flavor.
Yay! I chose Cherry Pie over Apple every time as a kid! (those were the 2 staples on my Grandma’s table). I love your rustic lattice work – perfection :-)
Thank you for reminding us about this wonderful treat.
I am in love with sour cherries now. Next year when I can get my hands on a tree. I am going to try this recipe. I just made some sour cherry jam. It’s my favorite now! Thanks for sharing. -Tien
Absolutely no cherries here in the Caribbean but it is nice to look and and dream:-) It’s also nice to see how we progress as photographers by looking at past pics
Mmmm! Cherry Pie!
I know the feeling of writing to yourself. I just started my blog and I have 1 comment. I know that it takes time, but it is just the excitement of getting those comments and questions. Plus they lead to conversations and eventually new found friends.
Just found your blog last week!! Sour cherry pie is my FAVORITE pie. Unfortunately, here in NW Indiana, I have no access to sour cherries. Although some people grow these in their yards, they have no idea what they are missing and fail to spray the trees before the worms find them. I have no local stores that carry them; thus, I am always longing for some pie!!
great looking pie! i so wanted to pic some up at GCM last weekend but i ran outta time. i might wander over to the MCA’s market tomorrow over lunch and whip up something cherry-esque.
I’ve been making this recipe for the past few years and it’s the best. For those worried about the work–sour cherries are MUCH EASIER to pit than sweet/bing cherries. Actually, I wash my hands thoroughly and pop out the pit with my fingernail–no special equipment required!
The only thing I’ve found with this recipe is that I think 6 cups of cherries are even better!
I also make the crust in a food processor. Just add the water very slowly, as it may take much less than 5 tbl–sometimes only 3 until the ball comes together.
Tim I just want to say that since stumbling across your site I have made the Doughnut Muffins and I posted photos of them on my Facebook and I think I have given your site address to about 15 people! I Love Your site!
I read this post yesterday, and it broke my heart because I have been searching for sour cherries for 3 weeks. However, today I hit the mother lode of late season morello cherries that they weren’t even supposed to get today! Question – how did you pit them so well? What is the best way to pit my 6 quarts and $26 worth of sour cherries to make 4.8 pies? Should I get a cherry pitter?
Hi Angel,
I love my cherry pitter and would highly recommend investing in one but if you google around you’ll find DIY techniques, like using paper clips. Enjoy your cherries!
I cannot even get sour cherries here in CA, not even frozen ones in high end stores. I miss them so much having grown up in Europe where they are the normal pie and cake cherry. I have asked at stores/markets many times, but just get blank looks. I think I need to move north to have any chance of tasting these again.
i have a sour cherry tree in my front yard. gotta say that i love it. If i’m lucky enough to get to it before the robins do i put them to good use and what i can’t use i freeze for our long winters. my recipe for sour cherry pie is very similar, but instead of vanilla extract i use almond extract..
give it a whirl sometime you might like it.
Hi there – I made the orange loaf you posted yesterday and I was trolling the site when I came upon this. I don’t know if you see new comments on old posts but I wanted to let you know that if I had access to sour cherries (in the summer) that I would make this in a heartbeat. I live in Virginia now. I’m originally from Chicago – like you – and I spent a lot of time in Wisconsin. Sour cherry pie is my favorite, not just because I love it, but because it brings back such fun memories. Thanks for all your great posts. (Oh, and I’ liked the orange cake too.)
I heart this recipe. I picked up a couple of varieties of sour cherries at GCM yesterday and am making this tomorrow along with Pete Wells’ pickled cherries. Can’t wait!
I made this pie on Thursday for the US vs Germany game, I used sour cherries from my friend’s backyard. I live in Germany and my friends have never taste “pie” before, it was delicious, and one person compared my crust (made using a pastry cutter) to being similar to puff pastry :). it was a delicious pie, eaten with vanilla ice cream and whipped cream. i can’t wait to get my hands on the sour cherries again!
In spite of the fact that it is my favourite dessert, this is the first sour cherry pie I have ever made. Fantastic recipe that did those precious farmer’s market cherries justice. Making it myself was such a thrill! Many thanks!
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The Blue-Eyed Bakers says:
July 23rd, 2010 at 8:27 am
A perfect summer pie – we would probably request 2 scoops of ice cream…naturally. And we’re already excited for next week’s cheese-centric post (Wisconsin? Pretty please?).
Kirsten says:
July 23rd, 2010 at 8:31 am
Thank you for posting this! It seems like sour cherry pies are making a comeback this summer, which I am all too thankful for! My grandma’s version of the recipe is nearly identical, which just goes to show that this pie has needed few improvements over the past six decades!
MakiB says:
July 23rd, 2010 at 9:15 am
I absolutely love all sorts of cherries but I still haven’t made a pie. All that pitting deters me. I know, they have cherry pitter devices, but still seems like a lot of work.
The French says:
July 23rd, 2010 at 9:59 am
My friend made one of the best cherry pies I’ve ever had, so I’m excited to try this and see if I can raise the glass ceiling! Looks delicious:)
Joanne says:
July 23rd, 2010 at 11:09 am
This is my favorite dessert – bar none. Grew up in Indiana and our neighbor had a sour cherry tree and would let us pick it clean. Can’t put in words how good they were. But now I live in CA and have a hard time finding fresh sour cherries. Sadness.
Recipe note: My mom always put in a drop or two of almond extract in the cherries instead of vanilla – really brings out the cherry flavor.
Mel says:
July 23rd, 2010 at 11:18 am
Yay! I chose Cherry Pie over Apple every time as a kid! (those were the 2 staples on my Grandma’s table). I love your rustic lattice work – perfection :-)
Thank you for reminding us about this wonderful treat.
Tien says:
July 23rd, 2010 at 12:22 pm
I am in love with sour cherries now. Next year when I can get my hands on a tree. I am going to try this recipe. I just made some sour cherry jam. It’s my favorite now! Thanks for sharing. -Tien
Wizzythestick says:
July 23rd, 2010 at 12:25 pm
Absolutely no cherries here in the Caribbean but it is nice to look and and dream:-) It’s also nice to see how we progress as photographers by looking at past pics
Whitney says:
July 23rd, 2010 at 12:34 pm
I’m currently making a blueberry pie but I need to buy up some sour cherries from Seedling before they are gone!
Jon says:
July 23rd, 2010 at 2:32 pm
Classic! A good way to start the weekend and make everyone smile!
Judy says:
July 24th, 2010 at 11:14 am
I’m inspired. I have sour cherries in my freezer and will make them today!
Marcy says:
July 25th, 2010 at 7:03 am
Mmmm! Cherry Pie!
I know the feeling of writing to yourself. I just started my blog and I have 1 comment. I know that it takes time, but it is just the excitement of getting those comments and questions. Plus they lead to conversations and eventually new found friends.
liz says:
July 26th, 2010 at 9:32 am
Just found your blog last week!! Sour cherry pie is my FAVORITE pie. Unfortunately, here in NW Indiana, I have no access to sour cherries. Although some people grow these in their yards, they have no idea what they are missing and fail to spray the trees before the worms find them. I have no local stores that carry them; thus, I am always longing for some pie!!
Heather @ chik n pastry says:
July 26th, 2010 at 9:51 am
great looking pie! i so wanted to pic some up at GCM last weekend but i ran outta time. i might wander over to the MCA’s market tomorrow over lunch and whip up something cherry-esque.
Tracy says:
July 26th, 2010 at 1:00 pm
I thank you for going back to old recipes. It’s worth it for both new and old readers. What a great looking pie!
tinarina says:
July 26th, 2010 at 2:41 pm
I’ve been making this recipe for the past few years and it’s the best. For those worried about the work–sour cherries are MUCH EASIER to pit than sweet/bing cherries. Actually, I wash my hands thoroughly and pop out the pit with my fingernail–no special equipment required!
The only thing I’ve found with this recipe is that I think 6 cups of cherries are even better!
tinarina says:
July 26th, 2010 at 2:43 pm
I also make the crust in a food processor. Just add the water very slowly, as it may take much less than 5 tbl–sometimes only 3 until the ball comes together.
Heather says:
July 26th, 2010 at 8:06 pm
Tim I just want to say that since stumbling across your site I have made the Doughnut Muffins and I posted photos of them on my Facebook and I think I have given your site address to about 15 people! I Love Your site!
Nicole says:
July 27th, 2010 at 12:22 pm
Ah, those elusive sour cherries! I must get my hands on some one of these days and then I’ll definitely be making this pie.
Angel says:
July 29th, 2010 at 12:10 pm
I read this post yesterday, and it broke my heart because I have been searching for sour cherries for 3 weeks. However, today I hit the mother lode of late season morello cherries that they weren’t even supposed to get today! Question – how did you pit them so well? What is the best way to pit my 6 quarts and $26 worth of sour cherries to make 4.8 pies? Should I get a cherry pitter?
Tim says:
July 29th, 2010 at 8:01 pm
Hi Angel,
I love my cherry pitter and would highly recommend investing in one but if you google around you’ll find DIY techniques, like using paper clips. Enjoy your cherries!
Mon Petit Chou says:
July 30th, 2010 at 12:01 am
It’s settled then, I will need to purchase some cherries!
Peggy says:
August 2nd, 2010 at 9:42 am
Thanks for the post. Love pies, in all shapes sizes and flavors. Love to bake but the thought of making a pie scares me to death.
carol says:
August 3rd, 2010 at 8:01 am
I cannot even get sour cherries here in CA, not even frozen ones in high end stores. I miss them so much having grown up in Europe where they are the normal pie and cake cherry. I have asked at stores/markets many times, but just get blank looks. I think I need to move north to have any chance of tasting these again.
lorie says:
August 17th, 2010 at 1:40 pm
i have a sour cherry tree in my front yard. gotta say that i love it. If i’m lucky enough to get to it before the robins do i put them to good use and what i can’t use i freeze for our long winters. my recipe for sour cherry pie is very similar, but instead of vanilla extract i use almond extract..
give it a whirl sometime you might like it.
Julie says:
September 4th, 2010 at 12:48 am
I can’t believe how beautiful this pie is! fab.
dana says:
February 19th, 2013 at 8:18 pm
Hi there – I made the orange loaf you posted yesterday and I was trolling the site when I came upon this. I don’t know if you see new comments on old posts but I wanted to let you know that if I had access to sour cherries (in the summer) that I would make this in a heartbeat. I live in Virginia now. I’m originally from Chicago – like you – and I spent a lot of time in Wisconsin. Sour cherry pie is my favorite, not just because I love it, but because it brings back such fun memories. Thanks for all your great posts. (Oh, and I’ liked the orange cake too.)
Bryan says:
July 18th, 2013 at 11:45 am
I heart this recipe. I picked up a couple of varieties of sour cherries at GCM yesterday and am making this tomorrow along with Pete Wells’ pickled cherries. Can’t wait!
Lisa says:
June 30th, 2014 at 2:04 am
I made this pie on Thursday for the US vs Germany game, I used sour cherries from my friend’s backyard. I live in Germany and my friends have never taste “pie” before, it was delicious, and one person compared my crust (made using a pastry cutter) to being similar to puff pastry :). it was a delicious pie, eaten with vanilla ice cream and whipped cream. i can’t wait to get my hands on the sour cherries again!
michelle says:
July 16th, 2014 at 7:40 pm
In spite of the fact that it is my favourite dessert, this is the first sour cherry pie I have ever made. Fantastic recipe that did those precious farmer’s market cherries justice. Making it myself was such a thrill! Many thanks!