Ingredients:

  • 6 cups fresh sweet cherries, pitted (about 700g)
  • ¾ cup granulated sugar (150g)
  • ¼ cup cornstarch (30g)
  • ¼ cup fresh lemon juice (60ml)
  • 1 teaspoon almond extract (5ml)
  • 2 tablespoons Kirsch (cherry brandy) (30ml) (optional)
  • Pinch of salt

Instructions:

  1. Pit the fresh cherries (if using).
  2. In the saucepan, whisk together the sugar, cornstarch, and salt.
  3. Stir in the lemon juice.
  4. Add the cherries to the saucepan and stir until well coated.
  5. Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat, stirring constantly.
  6. Continue to simmer, stirring occasionally, until the filling has thickened and the cherries are tender, about 20-25 minutes. The filling should coat the back of a spoon.
  7. Remove from heat and stir in the almond extract and Kirsch (if using).
  8. Allow the filling to cool slightly before using it in your pie or other dessert. This cherry pie filling recipe is amazing.