Step 1: Prepare the Oven and Crust

Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).

Place a foil-lined baking sheet in the oven to preheat—this catches any drips and helps the bottom of the pie bake evenly.

Place your pie crust into a 9-inch pie pan and flute or crimp the edges as desired.

Place the crust in the refrigerator to chill while you make the filling and topping.

Make the Cherry Filling

In a medium saucepan, combine:

5 cups cherries

¾ cup granulated sugar

1 ½ tbsp lemon juice

¼ cup cornstarch

½ tsp almond extract

1 ½ tsp vanilla extract

¼ tsp cinnamon

2 tbsp salted butter

If you’re using fresh cherries, add ¼ cup water to help the cornstarch dissolve and start the filling simmering.

Cook the mixture over medium heat. Stir continuously as it comes to a boil.

Once boiling, reduce heat to simmer for about 10 minutes, stirring often, until thickened and glossy.

Remove from heat and let the filling cool slightly.

Prepare the Crumb Topping

In a medium bowl, whisk together:

¾ cup flour

⅔ cup brown sugar

Add in the cold, cubed butter and use a pastry blender or fork to cut the butter into the flour mixture.

Continue until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs (pea-sized pieces are perfect).

Place the crumb mixture in the freezer for 10 minutes to firm up while assembling the pie.

Assemble the Pie

Remove the chilled crust from the fridge.

Pour the slightly cooled cherry filling into the crust and spread evenly.

Sprinkle the chilled crumb topping evenly over the top of the filling. Press together some of the crumbs with your fingers to create larger clumps if you like.

Bake

Place the pie dish onto the preheated foil-lined baking sheet in the oven.

Bake at 400°F for 45 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the filling is bubbling around the edges.

🔔 Tip: If the edges of your crust are browning too quickly, cover them with foil halfway through baking.

Cool and Serve

Remove from oven and allow the pie to cool completely—this helps the filling set properly.

Slice and serve on its own or with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.