Cherry Pie Recipe

All-purpose flour: The base for the pie crust, providing structure and texture.

Vegan butter: A plant-based alternative to traditional butter, ensuring the crust is flaky and rich.

Ice water: Helps bind the dough together without making it too sticky.

Cherries: The star of the pie, providing a sweet and tangy filling.

Sugar: Sweetens the cherry filling, balancing the tartness.

Cornstarch: Thickens the cherry filling, ensuring it sets properly.

Lemon juice: Adds a touch of acidity to enhance the flavor of the cherries.

Vanilla extract: Adds depth and warmth to the cherry filling.

When working with vegan butter, ensure it is thoroughly chilled before incorporating it into the flour. This helps create a flaky crust. Use a fork or pastry cutter to mix until the texture resembles coarse crumbs. When adding ice water, do so gradually to avoid over-hydrating the dough. This method ensures a tender and flaky pie crust.

• all-purpose flour - Substitute with whole wheat flour: Whole wheat flour adds more fiber and nutrients, making the pie crust healthier.

• vegan butter - Substitute with coconut oil: Coconut oil provides a similar fat content and texture, making it a good alternative for vegan butter.

• ice water - Substitute with cold almond milk: Cold almond milk can help bind the dough while adding a subtle nutty flavor.

• pitted fresh or frozen cherries - Substitute with pitted fresh or frozen blueberries: Blueberries offer a similar texture and sweetness, providing a different but delightful fruit filling.

• sugar - Substitute with maple syrup: Maple syrup is a natural sweetener that adds a rich, complex flavor to the pie filling.

• cornstarch - Substitute with arrowroot powder: Arrowroot powder is a great thickening agent and works similarly to cornstarch in pie fillings.

• lemon juice - Substitute with apple cider vinegar: Apple cider vinegar provides the necessary acidity and a slightly different but pleasant flavor profile.

• vanilla extract - Substitute with almond extract: Almond extract offers a unique, nutty flavor that complements the fruit filling well.

• To keep your cherry pie fresh, allow it to cool completely at room temperature. Once cooled, cover it loosely with aluminum foil or plastic wrap. Store it in the refrigerator for up to 4-5 days. This helps maintain the pie's flavor and texture.

• For longer storage, consider freezing the cherry pie. First, let the pie cool completely. Then, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap, followed by a layer of aluminum foil to prevent freezer burn. Place the wrapped pie in a large, resealable freezer bag for extra protection. The pie can be frozen for up to 2-3 months.

• When you're ready to enjoy your frozen cherry pie, transfer it to the refrigerator and let it thaw overnight. If you prefer a warm pie, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and bake the thawed pie for about 15-20 minutes, or until heated through.

• If you have leftover slices, you can also freeze them individually. Place each slice on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and freeze until solid. Once frozen, wrap each slice in plastic wrap and store them in a resealable freezer bag. This way, you can enjoy a single slice whenever you crave a piece of cherry pie.

• To reheat individual slices, unwrap them and place them on a microwave-safe plate. Microwave on medium power for 1-2 minutes, or until warmed through. Alternatively, you can reheat slices in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 10 minutes.

• Oven Method: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the cherry pie on a baking sheet to catch any drips. Cover the pie loosely with aluminum foil to prevent the crust from over-browning. Heat for about 15-20 minutes or until the filling is bubbly and the crust is warmed through. This method ensures the crust remains crisp and flaky.

• Microwave Method: Place a slice of cherry pie on a microwave-safe plate. Heat on medium power for 30-second intervals until warmed through. Be cautious as the filling can become extremely hot and the crust may lose some of its crispness.

• Toaster Oven Method: Preheat your toaster oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the cherry pie on a piece of aluminum foil or a small baking tray. Heat for about 10-15 minutes. This method is great for reheating single slices while maintaining a crispy crust.

• Skillet Method: Heat a non-stick skillet over medium-low heat. Place a slice of cherry pie in the skillet and cover with a lid. Heat for about 5-7 minutes, checking occasionally. This method helps to keep the crust crispy while warming the filling.

• Air Fryer Method: Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C). Place the cherry pie in the air fryer basket. Heat for about 5-7 minutes. This method is quick and helps maintain a crispy crust.

• Oven: Preheat to 375°F (190°C) to bake the pie.

• Mixing bowl: Combine flour and vegan butter, and later mix the cherry filling.

• Fork: Mix the flour and vegan butter until crumbly.

• Pastry cutter: Alternatively, use this to mix the flour and vegan butter until crumbly.

• Plastic wrap: Wrap the dough halves before refrigerating.

• Rolling pin: Roll out the dough to fit the pie dish.

• Pie dish: Place the rolled-out dough and cherry filling in this dish.

• Knife: Cut slits on top of the pie crust.

• Refrigerator: Chill the dough for 30 minutes.

• Measuring cups: Measure out the flour, sugar, and cherries.

• Measuring spoons: Measure out the cornstarch, lemon juice, and vanilla extract.

• Spatula: Spread the cherry filling evenly in the pie dish.

• Cooling rack: Let the pie cool on this before serving.

Prepare the filling in advance: Mix the cherries, sugar, cornstarch, lemon juice, and vanilla extract the night before and refrigerate.

Use a food processor: Quickly combine the flour and vegan butter using a food processor instead of a fork or pastry cutter.

Pre-chill the dough: Make the dough ahead of time and keep it in the fridge, so it's ready to roll out when needed.

Frozen cherries: Opt for frozen cherries if fresh ones are not available to save time on pitting.

Preheat the oven early: Start preheating your oven while you prepare the dough and filling.