Almond Cherry Pie

Recipe courtesy Sue Stephens, Gordon's Mom

Cook time: 48 min     Level:Intermediate  Serves: 8 servings

Ingredients

Crust:

• 5 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 2 cups shortening
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon vinegar
• Cold water to make 1 cup liquid
• Filling
• 1 1/2 cups sugar, divided
• 4 tablespoons cornstarch
• 2 cans (14.5 ounces each) pitted tart red cherries, packed in water, drained and 3/4 cup liquid reserved
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
• 1/4 teaspoon red food coloring

Topping :

• 2 tablespoons milk
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 1/4 cup sliced almonds

Directions

Crust:

In large bowl, stir together flour, salt and baking powder. Cut in shortening. Break egg into a liquid measuring cup. Add vinegar and enough water to make 1 cup. Beat with fork to mix. Add liquid to dry ingredients, stirring lightly with fork until moistened. Divide into 5 equal parts. Shape into flat 6-inch disks and wrap in plastic. Refrigerate 2 disks; freeze the rest. After 30 minutes, roll 1 refrigerated disk into a 10-inch round. Fit into 9-inch pie plate. Leave dough over edge of plate (do not trim off excess).

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.

Filling:

In medium saucepan, combine 3/4 cup of the sugar and cornstarch. Stir in reserved 3/4 cup cherry liquid. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly with whisk. Cook 1 minute. Whisk in butter, almond extract, food coloring and remaining sugar. Remove from heat. Fold in cherries. Set aside. In small saucepan, combine milk, sugar and almonds for topping. Bring to boil, stirring and cooking 3 minutes.

Topping:

For lattice top, roll dough disk into a 10-inch round. Cut dough into 1/2-inch wide strips. Pour filling into bottom crust. Weave strips in lattice design over filling. Trim strips even with bottom crust. Moisten strips with water, fold under with bottom crust and pinch rim to make fluted edge. Brush strips with sugar almond topping.

Bake until crust is golden brown, about 30 to 45 minutes.