The Best Cherry Crumb Pie is a timeless classic, offering a delightful balance of tart cherries and a sweet, buttery crumb topping that’s both simple to make and incredibly satisfying. This recipe is a perfect go-to for any occasion, transforming fresh or frozen cherries into a comforting dessert that family and friends will adore.
Key Ingredients for Best Cherry Crumb Pie
For the Pie Filling:
- 5 cups fresh or frozen (thawed and drained) pitted cherries (a mix of sweet and tart is ideal)
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar (adjust to the tartness of your cherries)
- 1/4 cup cornstarch or all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- Pinch of salt
For the Crumb Topping:
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup rolled oats (not instant)
- 3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, cold and cut into cubes
For the Pie Crust:
- 1 double pie crust (store-bought or your favorite homemade recipe)
How to Make Best Cherry Crumb Pie
Get ready to delight your taste buds with this incredibly easy yet sumptuously satisfying Best Cherry Crumb Pie. The magic lies in its simplicity: a luscious, vibrant cherry filling encased in a flaky crust, crowned with a generous, golden crumb topping that adds the perfect sweet crunch. This recipe is designed to impress with minimal fuss, taking approximately 30 minutes of active preparation time, plus baking.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Prepare the Pie Crust:
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Gently unroll or press one of the pie crusts into a 9-inch pie plate. Crimp the edges decoratively if desired. If using a store-bought crust, be mindful of its instructions regarding pre-baking.
Make the Cherry Filling:
3. In a large bowl, combine the pitted cherries, granulated sugar, cornstarch (or flour), lemon juice, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and salt.
4. Gently toss everything together until the cherries are evenly coated. Let the mixture sit for about 10-15 minutes to allow the juices to release and the cornstarch to begin absorbing moisture. This is crucial for a well-set filling.
Create the Crumb Topping:
5. In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, rolled oats, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt.
6. Add the cold, cubed unsalted butter to the dry ingredients. Using a pastry blender, your fingertips, or a food processor, cut the butter into the dry ingredients until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs with some pea-sized pieces of butter remaining. Do not overmix; the bits of butter contribute to flakiness.
Assemble and Bake the Pie:
7. Pour the prepared cherry filling into the pie crust-lined plate, spreading it out evenly.
8. Generously sprinkle the crumb topping over the cherry filling, ensuring it covers the entire surface.
9. Place the pie on a baking sheet (to catch any drips).
10. Bake in the preheated oven at 400°F (200°C) for 20 minutes.
11. Reduce the oven temperature to 375°F (190°C) and continue baking for another 30-40 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the filling is bubbly. If the edges of the crust start to brown too quickly, you can loosely tent them with aluminum foil.
12. Once baked, remove the Best Cherry Crumb Pie from the oven and let it cool completely on a wire rack for at least 2-3 hours before slicing. This cooling time is essential for the filling to set properly.
Why You’ll Love This Best Cherry Crumb Pie
You’ll adore this Best Cherry Crumb Pie for its impeccably balanced flavor profile, where the bright, slightly tart burst of cherries harmoniously dances with the sweet, buttery crunch of the crumble topping. It’s a dessert that feels both comforting and exquisitely special, a far cry from the often-muddled fillings of store-bought pies. Moreover, crafting this masterpiece at home is surprisingly budget-friendly, allowing you to use seasonal cherries or cost-effective frozen ones while still achieving gourmet results. The addition of rolled oats in the crumb topping provides a delightful texture and a hint of nutty warmth that elevates it beyond a simple streusel.
Forget about the fuss and embrace the joy of creating this delightful dessert. It’s a surefire way to impress your loved ones for any occasion, from a casual weeknight treat to a centerpiece for a holiday gathering. If you’ve ever been disappointed by a watery or overly sweet cherry pie, this recipe is your triumphant solution! So gather your ingredients, put on your favorite apron, and dive into the rewarding experience of baking the Best Cherry Crumb Pie today. Your kitchen will fill with an aroma you won’t soon forget!
Storing and Reheating Tips
Properly storing your Best Cherry Crumb Pie ensures you can enjoy its deliciousness for days to come.
- Refrigeration: Once the pie has completely cooled, it can be stored at room temperature for up to 2 days, or in the refrigerator for up to 4-5 days. Cover the pie loosely with plastic wrap or aluminum foil, or better yet, store it in an airtight pie carrier.
- Reheating: To reheat a slice, place it on a baking sheet in a preheated oven at 300°F (150°C) for about 10-15 minutes, or until warmed through. This method helps to crisp up the crumb topping again. Alternatively, you can reheat individual slices in a microwave for 30-60 seconds, though the topping may lose some of its crispness.
- Freezing: For longer storage, this pie freezes exceptionally well. Ensure the pie is completely cooled before wrapping it tightly in plastic wrap and then in aluminum foil. Frozen pie can be kept for up to 2-3 months. To reheat from frozen, remove the foil and plastic wrap and bake at 350°F (175°C) for approximately 45-60 minutes, or until heated through and bubbly. You may need to loosely tent the top with foil if the crust starts to brown too quickly.
Final Thoughts
The Best Cherry Crumb Pie truly lives up to its name, offering a harmonious blend of textures and tastes that makes it an unforgettable dessert. We encourage you to bake this gem; it’s a testament to how simple ingredients can create something truly magical.
Best Cherry Crumb Pie
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Gently unroll or press one of the pie crusts into a 9-inch pie plate. Crimp the edges decoratively if desired. If using a store-bought crust, be mindful of its instructions regarding pre-baking.1 double pie crust
- In a large bowl, combine the pitted cherries, granulated sugar, cornstarch (or flour), lemon juice, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and salt. Gently toss everything together until the cherries are evenly coated. Let the mixture sit for about 10-15 minutes to allow the juices to release and the cornstarch to begin absorbing moisture. This is crucial for a well-set filling.5 cups fresh or frozen (thawed and drained) pitted cherries, 3/4 cup granulated sugar, 1/4 cup cornstarch or all-purpose flour, 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice, 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract, 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon, Pinch salt
- In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, rolled oats, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Add the cold, cubed unsalted butter to the dry ingredients. Using a pastry blender, your fingertips, or a food processor, cut the butter into the dry ingredients until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs with some pea-sized pieces of butter remaining. Do not overmix; the bits of butter contribute to flakiness.1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, 1 cup rolled oats, 3/4 cup packed light brown sugar, 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon salt, 3/4 cup unsalted butter
- Pour the prepared cherry filling into the pie crust-lined plate, spreading it out evenly. Generously sprinkle the crumb topping over the cherry filling, ensuring it covers the entire surface. Place the pie on a baking sheet (to catch any drips).
- Bake in the preheated oven at 400°F (200°C) for 20 minutes. Reduce the oven temperature to 375°F (190°C) and continue baking for another 30-40 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the filling is bubbly. If the edges of the crust start to brown too quickly, you can loosely tent them with aluminum foil.
- Once baked, remove the Best Cherry Crumb Pie from the oven and let it cool completely on a wire rack for at least 2-3 hours before slicing. This cooling time is essential for the filling to set properly.