Happy President’s Day! While for many it signifies a well-deserved break, it’s also a profound opportunity to honor the visionary leaders who forged this nation on democratic ideals, principles we strive to uphold today. And what better way to commemorate this significant holiday than with a timeless dessert that echoes a cherished American legend? I cannot tell a lie – my heart belongs to a slice of warm, inviting Washington Sweet Cherry Pie.
George Washington, Cherries, and the Birth of a Legend
The tale of young George Washington and his father’s cherry tree is etched into the fabric of American folklore, a story almost every schoolchild learns. Six-year-old George, having received a brand-new hatchet for his birthday, was said to have used it to chop down his father’s prized cherry tree. When confronted, he famously confessed, “I cannot tell a lie. I did cut it down with my hatchet.” His father, rather than punishing him, embraced him, touched by his son’s unwavering honesty.
While this delightful anecdote is widely considered to be a myth, fabricated by biographer Mason Locke Weems after Washington’s death to illustrate his moral character, its impact is undeniable. It became a powerful tool for teaching generations of Americans about the virtues of truthfulness and integrity, shaping our collective understanding of a founding father. Beyond its moral lesson, this myth indelibly linked George Washington and the humble cherry, elevating the fruit to a symbolic status in American culture, particularly in our culinary traditions. This association makes a sweet cherry pie not just a dessert, but a meaningful tribute to the very first President and the values he represents.
Why Washington Sweet Cherry Pie is a Timeless Favorite
Among the myriad of classic American pies, cherry pie holds a special place, and the “Washington Sweet Cherry Pie” stands out for its irresistible balance of vibrant fruit flavor and comforting sweetness. This particular recipe moves beyond the often-tart varieties, embracing the rich, succulent sweetness of dark cherries. The result is a pie that is universally appealing, less reliant on excessive sugar to counteract sourness, and more focused on the natural splendor of the fruit itself.
The beauty of this sweet cherry pie lies in its simplicity and the deep, satisfying flavor it delivers. Each bite offers a burst of ripe cherry goodness, perfectly complemented by a hint of almond and a buttery, flaky crust. It’s a dessert that evokes feelings of home, tradition, and celebration, making it an ideal choice for President’s Day gatherings, family dinners, or any occasion that calls for a touch of classic American charm.
The Unbeatable Convenience of Frozen Sweet Cherries
One of the true marvels of this Washington Sweet Cherry Pie recipe is its embrace of convenience without compromising on flavor: it calls for frozen sweet cherries. This ingredient choice is a game-changer for home bakers. Gone are the days of laboriously pitting fresh cherries, a task that can be messy, time-consuming, and often leads to stained fingers and countertops. With frozen cherries, all that arduous preparation is eliminated.
Furthermore, using frozen cherries means this delightful pie can be enjoyed year-round, regardless of seasonal availability. You’re no longer limited to the short summer window when fresh cherries are abundant. Frozen sweet cherries are picked at their peak ripeness, ensuring consistent quality and flavor in every bag. Simply thaw the fruit, and you’re halfway to a sensational pie. This not only saves precious preparation time but also guarantees a rich, fruity filling every time, making this an accessible and reliable recipe for bakers of all skill levels.
Crafting Your Own Washington Sweet Cherry Pie: A Step-by-Step Guide
Embarking on the journey to bake a Washington Sweet Cherry Pie is a rewarding experience, culminating in a dessert that’s as beautiful to behold as it is delicious to taste. The process combines classic baking techniques with practical tips to ensure a perfect pie every time. From the flaky crust to the bubbling, ruby-red filling, each element contributes to a harmonious whole.
Preparing the Perfect Pie Crust
The foundation of any exceptional pie is its crust. For this recipe, you’ll need enough dough for a two-crust pie, which means doubling a standard single-crust recipe. A homemade pie crust, while requiring a bit of effort, elevates the final product significantly with its rich, buttery flavor and tender, flaky texture. If you’re new to pie making, fear not; many excellent resources (like our comprehensive pie crust guide) can walk you through the process.
Whether you choose an all-butter crust for maximum flavor, a shortening-based crust for extra flakiness, or a blend of both, remember the golden rules: use very cold ingredients, work quickly to prevent the butter/shortening from melting, and avoid overworking the dough, which can lead to a tough crust. The goal is a tender, flaky shell that perfectly encapsulates the sweet cherry filling. An essential tip for preventing a soggy bottom crust – a common pie predicament – is to brush the rolled-out bottom crust with a thin layer of beaten egg white before adding the filling. This creates a protective barrier, ensuring your pie remains gloriously crisp from top to bottom.
The Irresistible Sweet Cherry Filling
The heart of our Washington Sweet Cherry Pie is its luscious filling. Begin by thawing four cups of frozen sweet dark cherries. As they thaw, they’ll release a significant amount of juice. This juice is precious, so be sure to reserve it! The recipe calls for a total of one-third cup of cherry juice. Measure the juice drained from your thawed fruit, and if it falls short, you can easily supplement it with additional cherry juice or even cranberry juice, which offers a lovely complementary tartness.
In a large bowl, combine the thawed cherries and the measured juice. Next, introduce the sweetening agents: a blend of white and brown sugar. The white sugar provides clean sweetness, while brown sugar adds depth and a subtle molasses note that pairs beautifully with cherries. To achieve that perfect, thick, and glossy filling, you’ll add a combination of cornstarch and all-purpose flour. These act as thickening agents, preventing a watery pie. Finally, a quarter teaspoon of almond extract is the secret ingredient that truly makes this cherry pie sing. Its subtle, nutty aroma enhances the cherry flavor without overpowering it. Mix all these ingredients thoroughly until the sugars are dissolved, then let the mixture stand for about 15 minutes while you prepare the crusts, allowing the flavors to meld and the thickeners to begin their work.
Mastering the Lattice Top (or Simple Solid Crust)
A classic cherry pie often features an elegant lattice top, which allows glimpses of the vibrant filling beneath and provides extra surface area for a golden-brown crust. Creating a lattice can seem daunting, but it’s simpler than it looks, especially with a clever trick. I prefer to “weave” my lattice strips separately on a piece of wax paper or parchment paper. Roll out one of your pie crusts and cut it into even strips using a sharp knife or a pizza cutter. Arrange and weave these strips on the wax paper in your desired pattern.
Once your bottom crust is nestled in the pie plate and filled with the cherry mixture, you can carefully roll up the pre-woven lattice onto your rolling pin and unroll it directly over the filling. This method prevents the lattice from tearing and makes placement much easier. After the top crust is in place, whether lattice or a solid sheet, trim any excess dough, then pinch and crimp the edges together to create a secure, decorative seal. If opting for a solid top crust, remember to cut several small slits or decorative vents into the dough with a sharp paring knife. These vents are crucial for allowing steam to escape during baking, preventing the crust from puffing up excessively and ensuring an even bake.
Woven lattice on wax paper Rolled up on the rolling pin for easy transfer Pie crust ready for filling Cherry filling in the bottom crust Unbaked cherry pie, ready to bake!
Baking to Golden Perfection
The baking process is crucial for achieving a perfectly cooked pie with a golden, flaky crust and a thick, bubbling filling. Begin by preheating your oven to 425°F (220°C). This initial high temperature helps to set the crust quickly, creating that desirable flakiness. However, pie crust edges are delicate and prone to burning before the rest of the pie is cooked through. This is where a pie shield or strips of aluminum foil come in handy.
Place your pie in the preheated oven, making sure the edges are covered with a pie shield or carefully molded strips of tin foil. Bake for the first 20 minutes with this protection in place. After 20 minutes, carefully remove the pie shield or foil strips. This allows the edges to brown beautifully for the remainder of the baking time. Continue to bake the pie for an additional 15-20 minutes, or until the filling is visibly bubbling thickly through the lattice openings or vents, and the crust has achieved a rich, golden-brown hue. The bubbling indicates that the filling has reached the proper temperature for the thickeners to activate, ensuring a perfectly set pie.
The Art of Cooling
Patience, though difficult when a warm, fragrant pie emerges from the oven, is paramount. Allowing your Washington Sweet Cherry Pie to cool completely is just as important as the baking process itself. As the pie cools, the fruit filling continues to set and thicken. Cutting into a hot pie, no matter how tempting, often results in a runny, messy slice. For optimal results and clean, beautiful slices, allow the pie to cool for at least 2 hours, or ideally, overnight. This extended cooling period ensures the filling achieves its full, luscious texture, making for a truly spectacular dessert experience.
Beyond President’s Day: Enjoying Your Sweet Cherry Pie
While Washington Sweet Cherry Pie is a perfect centerpiece for President’s Day, its appeal extends far beyond this single holiday. This comforting and elegant dessert is suitable for any occasion where you want to serve something special and homemade. Imagine a slice served warm with a scoop of creamy vanilla bean ice cream, allowing the cold, melting ice cream to mingle with the warm, fruity filling – pure bliss. Or, for a lighter touch, a dollop of freshly whipped cream provides a delightful contrast to the pie’s richness.
Its vibrant color and inviting aroma make it an ideal dessert for summer barbecues, autumn gatherings, or even as a comforting treat during the colder months, thanks to the convenience of frozen cherries. This pie is not just a dish; it’s a statement of classic American comfort food, a testament to simple, wholesome ingredients creating something truly extraordinary. Whether you’re celebrating a national holiday or simply indulging in a weekend baking project, this sweet cherry pie promises to bring smiles and satisfaction to all who taste it.
Delicious!
As we savor each bite of this magnificent pie, we can’t help but feel a connection to the past, to the enduring spirit of the founding fathers, and to the simple, honest pleasures of life. Thank you, founding fathers, for your courage and wisdom.
📖 Recipe: Washington Sweet Cherry Pie
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Washington Sweet Cherry Pie
40 mins
35 mins
2 hrs
3 hrs 15 mins
Dessert
American
8
285
kcal
Sula
Ingredients
- 2 Unbaked pie crusts (enough for a double-crust 9-inch pie)
- 4 cups frozen sweet dark cherries (about 20 oz), thawed and drained, juice reserved
- ⅓ cup cherry or cranberry juice to supplement drained juice (if needed)
- ⅓ cup brown sugar
- ⅓ cup white sugar
- 2 TB cornstarch
- 3 TB all-purpose flour
- ¼ teaspoon almond extract
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C).
- Measure the reserved juice from the thawed cherries. Supplement with additional cranberry or cherry juice if necessary to make a total of one-third cup of juice.
- In a bowl, combine the thawed cherries, measured juice, almond extract, brown sugar, white sugar, cornstarch, and flour. Mix until the sugar has dissolved. Allow the mixture to stand for about 15 minutes while you prepare your pie pastry.
- If a lattice top is desired, roll out one pie crust and cut it into even strips using a sharp knife or pizza cutter. For easier handling, you can weave these strips on a piece of wax paper or parchment paper before transferring.
- Line a 9-inch pie dish with one pastry crust. For a non-soggy bottom, lightly brush the bottom crust with a thin layer of beaten egg white to seal the pastry. Fill the crust evenly with the cherry filling. Top with the remaining crust (either the pre-woven lattice or a solid top). If using a solid top crust, cut several steam vents into the top with a sharp paring knife. Crimp the edges of the pie to seal.
- Cover the edges of the pie crust with a pie shield or strips of aluminum foil to prevent burning. Place the pie in the preheated oven and bake for 20 minutes with the edges covered. After 20 minutes, carefully remove the pie edge protectors and continue to bake for an additional 15-20 minutes, or until the cherry filling is bubbling thickly and the crust is beautifully browned.
- Allow the pie to cool completely before serving. This is crucial for the filling to set properly.
Notes
Nutrition
Calories: 285 kcal | Carbohydrates: 43g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Sodium: 178mg | Potassium: 70mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 18g | Calcium: 16mg | Iron: 1mg
Nutrition values are estimates only, calculated using online tools. Please verify using your own data.
