Homemade Cherry Pie Filling

Directions

1. In a large saucepan, combine the sugar, cornstarch and salt. Add the cherries, water and lemon juice. Bring to a boil; cook and stir until thickened, 2 minutes. Remove from the heat; if desired stir in food coloring.
2. For a lattice-crust pie: Preheat oven to 400°. On a lightly floured surface, roll one half of dough to a 1/8-in.-thick circle; transfer to a 9-in. pie plate. Trim even with rim. Add filling.
3. Roll remaining dough to a 1/8-in.- thick circle; cut into 1/4-in.- wide strips. Arrange over filling in a lattice pattern. Trim and seal strips to edge of bottom crust; flute edge. Bake until crust is golden brown and filling is bubble, 15-20 minutes. Cool on a wire rack.