Skip the canned pie filling! We'll show you how to make a homemade cherry pie from scratch. Ice cream on top is optional (but encouraged).
Our editors and experts handpick every product we feature. We may earn a commission from your purchases.
Looking for a taste of summer? You can’t do much better than a cherry pie. For many of us, fresh cherries remind us of family vacations, trips to the orchard and the delicious, messy affair of pitting and eating these stone fruits. When you fold cherries into a delicious pie crust, that’s pure nostalgia (and a phenomenal treat).
While making your own cherry pie takes a little time with the picking and the pitting, the recipe itself is straightforward. So grab a pal to help you prep the cherries and make a cherry pie from scratch.
Hey, baker! Come on over to Bakeable, our online baking community,
where you’ll find our best tips and top-rated recipes. Then, share your bakes in our Bakeable Facebook group. We’d love to see ’em.
Types of Cherries for Cherry Pie
There are quite a few types of cherries to choose from when baking. Like apple pies, though, choosing the right cherry can turn an average pie into a delicious summertime staple. Tart cherries like Montmorency or Morello cherries are the best type to use in pies.
While we used fresh cherries in this recipe, you can also use frozen cherries that are pitted and thawed. Be sure to measure the cherries while frozen to get the proper volume. You’ll use the same amount—4 cups—and follow the recipe as normal. Often, frozen cherries come pre-pitted, meaning less work for you!
Stainless steel saucier: The walls of sauciers are more sloped than the walls of saucepans, making this the perfect tool for reducing liquids and allowing the cherry mixture to thicken easily.
Metal cooling grid: When your pie comes out of the oven, you’re going to want to let it cool before slicing into it. This cooling grid is round—perfect for pies and cakes!
Stoneware mixing bowls: These microwave- and dishwasher-safe mixing bowls are as durable as they are beautiful. Get in the spirit of spring baking with these pretty nested bowls.
Directions
Step 1: Pit the cherries and create the filling
TMB Studio
Preheat your oven to 425°F. In a large saucepan or saucier, combine sugar and cornstarch. Gradually stir in the cherry juice until smooth. Bring the mixture to a boil, then cook and stir until thickened, about two minutes. Remove the mixture from heat. Add the cherries, cinnamon, nutmeg and almond extract; set aside.
Editor’s Tip: If you’re pitting the cherries yourself, invest in a cherry pitter. There are some shortcuts, but when you’re working with a lot of cherries, there’s no substitute for the right tool.
Step 2: Form the dough
TMB Studio
In a large mixing bowl, combine flour and salt. Cut in the shortening until crumbly. Gradually add cold water, tossing with a fork until a ball forms. Divide the dough so that one ball is slightly larger than the other.
Editor’s Tip: One of the pie crust secrets to get that perfect flaky consistency is to work with cold dough. Make sure the water you use is very cold, and if you feel the dough is too warm, place it in the fridge for a little while to chill.
Step 3: Prep the crust
TMB Studio
On a lightly floured surface, roll out the larger dough ball to fit a 9-in. pie plate. Transfer the dough to the pie plate, and trim even with the edge of the plate. Add the filling. Roll out the remaining dough to make a lattice crust. Trim, seal and flute the edge of the pie. Brush the lattice with egg wash if desired.
Step 4: Bake the pie
Bake for 10 minutes, and then reduce the heat to 375°. Bake until the crust is golden brown, 45-50 minutes. Cool on a wire rack before serving.
Tips for Making Cherry Pie
TMB Studio
Should you use homemade pie dough for cherry pie?
Homemade pie dough is one of the easiest ways to make your pie look and taste homemade. You have the freedom to create fun, braided lattice toppings or cutout double crusts, and you can crimp the edges in any design you like. We have quite a few tips on how to make perfect pie crust, but if you’re running short on time, store-bought works here too. Don’t forget to check out our collection of delicious cherry desserts.
Can you make cherry pie ahead of time?
There are a few ways you can prep this pie ahead of time. A cherry pie will last for up to 3 days at room temperature and up to 5 days in the fridge. If you’re baking for an event, bake the pie a day ahead, store at room temperature and serve as normal.
You can also prep the pie in parts. If you need to split your time between 2 days, make the dough and refrigerate it overnight. Let it rest for a while before rolling into a flat crust. All you’ll need to do on the day-of is make the filling and bake.
Can you freeze cherry pie?
Cherry pie can be frozen for a few months. Once you’ve baked the pie, allow it to cool completely before tightly wrapping and freezing. Make sure you date the pie so you remember when to take it out and enjoy.
Cherry Desserts We Can’t Get Enough Of
1 / 30
Fresh Cherry Pie
If you're looking to learn how to make a cherry pie, this recipe is the place to start. This ruby-red cherry pie is just sweet enough, with a hint of almond flavor and a good level of cinnamon. The cherries peeking out of the lattice crust makes it so pretty, too. I like to make a few of these cherry pies throughout the summer. —Josie Bochek, Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin
Go to Recipe
Amaretto Cherries with DumplingsYou can't beat the combination of almond flavor with cherries. These light and fluffy dumplings are heavenly. Topped with the sauce and ice cream, it makes for a scrumptious cherry dessert. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Cherry Plum Slab Pie with Walnut StreuselI love to make desserts with fruit all summer, and this cherry slab pie is wonderful because you can quickly make it for a crowd. The crumbly, nutty streusel is perfect with fruit. You can make your own pastry or use store-bought pie crust. —Elisabeth Larsen, Pleasant Grove, Utah
Dutch Oven Chocolate Dump CakeLooking for quick cherry desserts that will make people think you spent all day in the kitchen? This Dutch oven dump cake will wow your guests. Feel free to use your favorite pie filling in place of cherry. — Rashanda Cobbins, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Cherry Pudding CakeA cross between a cake and a cobbler, this dessert is a hit whenever I make it to share at a potluck. My family insists I make an extra batch to leave at home. A neighbor shared the recipe over 30 years ago. —Brenda Parker, Kalamazoo, Michigan
Homemade Cherry CrispOur family loves this pretty, tasty dessert. It uses convenient pie filling, so you can make it in no time—and it takes mere minutes to heat in the microwave. —Laurie Todd, Columbus, Mississippi
Cherry Hand PiesThere's nothing better than a sweet, from-scratch delight like traditional cherry pie. These precious little hand pies always go fast when I sell them at my pie bakery! —Allison Cebulla, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Cherry Rhubarb CrunchMy husband's grandmother gave me this recipe, along with a bundle of rhubarb, when we were first married. I had never cared for rhubarb, but after trying this dessert, I changed my mind. Now my children dig in, too! —Sharon Wasikowski, Middleville, Michigan
Cherry Upside-Down Bread PuddingI've always loved bread pudding, and I enjoy fixing this for my family on a chilly day. You could use a different flavor of pie filling and omit the chocolate chips to make a completely different dessert. It's always delicious! —Ronna Farley, Rockville, Maryland
Macaroon Cherry PieI use homegrown cherries in this bountiful pie with its unique crunchy coconut topping. But I've found that purchased tart cherries yield a dessert that's nearly as delicious. I always bake this pie around Presidents Day or Valentine's Day, but it's popular with my family in any season. —Lori Daniels, Beverly, West Virginia
Cherry BounceSmooth and fragrant, this homemade cherry bounce is one of those cherry desserts that make a wonderful holiday gift. For an additional treat, the drained cherries are delicious over vanilla ice cream. —Matt Warren, Mequon, Wisconsin
Cherry Chocolate Nut CookiesEach Christmas, I make about 600 cookies to share with family and friends. The holidays wouldn't be the same without several batches of these colorful goodies. —Sybil Brown, Highland, California
Cherry and Chocolate Ice Cream PieWe took cherry pie to a whole new level as a frozen treat. With a luscious layer of chocolate fudge inside, this is one impressive pie. —Scarlett Elrod, Newnan, Georgia
Cinnamon Roll Cherry CobblerRed Hots and canned cherries flavor this memorable dessert from my childhood. I hadn’t had it in years, so when I found my mother’s recipe, I had to make it to see if it’s as good as I remembered. It is! —Betty Zorn, Eagle, Idaho
Bing Cherry-Amaretti FoolWhen Bing cherries are in season, I make this fruity custard-style fool. The sweet cherries and whipped cream balance perfectly with the sour cream. —Mary Ann Lee, Clifton Park, New York
Cherry Cheese BlintzesThese elegant blintzes can be served as an attractive dessert or a brunch entree. The bright cherry sauce gives them a delightful flavor. I sometimes substitute other fruits, such as raspberries, blueberries or peaches. —Jessica Vantrease, Anderson, Alaska
Cherry BarsWhip up a pan of these festive bars in just 20 minutes with staple ingredients and cherry pie filling. Between the easy preparation and the pretty colors, they're destined to become a holiday classic. —Jane Kamp, Grand Rapids, Michigan
Cherry GruntBack when I was cooking the hot lunch main dish for about 1,300 students a day, I liked to make this simple old-time dessert for my husband and sons. Like other cherry desserts, a scoop of ice cream on the side is perfect. —Judy Meikle, Cherokee, Iowa
Chocolate-Covered CherriesNot only are these chocolate-covered cherries my family's favorite festive dessert, but they make a delicious holiday present too. Best of all, you can (and should) prepare these ahead. The candy gets better as it's stored, with the centers becoming even juicier. —Linda Hammerich, Bonanza, Oregon
Mini Cherry CheesecakesThese little cheesecakes make a fun dessert that's just right for cooks who don't have a lot of time for fussy recipes. Plus, you get to eat a whole mini cheesecake yourself! —Kay Keller, Morenci, Michigan
Cherry Coconut TreatsMy great-grandmother created this recipe more than 100 years ago, so it's made many appearances at family parties. Make the treats even more fun for the holidays by using both red and green maraschino cherries. —Anne Mullen, Windsor, Ontario
Black Forest Upside-Down CakeThe divine flavors of this simple Black Forest cake will impress your guests and leave you with many requests for the recipe! —Kimberly Campbell, Wheeling, West Virginia
Cherry Delight DessertThis smooth and creamy cheesecake-like treat is light, sweet and pretty, too. Convenience products make it quick and easy to prepare. “My husband also likes this dessert when I substitute blueberry pie filling,” notes Lanae Powell of McPherson, Kansas.
Almond Cherry CobblerThis bubbling cherry cobbler is one of my favorite dishes. Serve warm with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream. —Melissa Wagner, Eden Prairie, Minnesota
Black Forest Chocolate TorteIf you're thinking about pulling out all the stops for a dessert that says wow, look no further. This cherry-crowned beauty—stacked layers of chocolate cake and cream filling—will have everyone talking. —Doris Grotz, York, Nebraska
Cherry-Peach DumplingsYou can make this fruity dessert on your stovetop, but to really impress your guests, simmer it in an electric skillet right at the dinner table. There’s no more convenient way to enjoy the fruits of the season. —Patricia Frerk, Syracuse, New York
Cherry-Almond Streusel TartBrimming with fresh cherries and topped with a crunchy streusel, this tempting tart is a great way to end dinner on a sweet note. It's elegant, tastes delicious, and is so easy to make. —Marion Lee, Mount Hope, Ontario
Apple-Cherry Cream Cheese PieA layer of sweetened cream cheese topped with a tart fruit filling makes this apple cherry cheese pie popular with family, friends and co-workers. It won the blue ribbon at a local fair. —Donna L. Rettew, Jonestown, Pennsylvania
Cherry Cream PieA favorite vacation spot in Wisconsin—Door County (in the "thumb" of the state)—is known for its abundance of cherry orchards, and that's where this cream pie recipe originated. We think it's a delectable dessert, with a nutty crumb crust, real whipped cream and, of course, cherry pie filling. —Carol Wencka, Greenfield, Wisconsin
Creamy Cherry CheesecakeThis moist cherry cheesecake from Julie Sibley of Kenai, Alaska, is as creamy as cheesecake gets. The cherry topping is a classic addition to rich cheesecake, and the sour cream topping adds another layer of flavor. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Rosemary is an editor at Taste of Home where she can combine her love of writing with her love of all things food. When she's not working, Rosie can be found curled up with a coffee and a book, testing a new recipe for dinner or trying a new dish at a local restaurant.
We are no longer supporting IE (Internet Explorer) as we strive to provide site experiences for browsers that support new web standards and security practices.
Updated: Jul. 03, 2023
Fresh Cherry Pie
If you're looking to learn how to make a cherry pie, this recipe is the place to start. This ruby-red cherry pie is just sweet enough, with a hint of almond flavor and a good level of cinnamon. The cherries peeking out of the lattice crust makes it so pretty, too. I like to make a few of these cherry pies throughout the summer. —Josie Bochek, Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin
