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Morello Cherry Pie Filling
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Dark Morello Cherries Pie Filling

Morello Cherry Pie Filling or Topping
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Keyword Cherry Topping, Morello Cherries
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 3 minutes
Total Time 13 minutes
Servings 8
Author Anna

Ingredients

  • 1 jar Dark Morello Cherries (24 oz)
  • cup granulated sugar (65-70 grams)
  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch
  • Pinch of salt
  • ¼ teaspoon almond extract
  • 1 teaspoon of lemon juice (I've been using much more lately) I use up to a tablespoon sometimes
  • 1 teaspoon of butter optional

Tart Crust:

  • 1 ¼ cups 5.8 oz pastry or all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons granulated sugar
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 8 tablespoons very cold unsalted butter
  • 4-6 tablespoons of ice cold water or more as needed
  • 1 egg mixed with about a tablespoon of water or milk

Instructions

  • Drain the cherries, separating the juice and the cherries. You should have 2 cups of cherries and well over a cup of juice. Measure out exactly ¾ cup liquid (that’s all you’ll need).
  • In a large saucepan (2-3 quarts), combine the sugar, cornstarch and salt. Add the ¾ cup of cherry juice and stir until smooth. Place saucepan over medium heat and whisk or just stir until mixture boils, thickens and becomes translucent.
  • Remove from the heat and stir in the drained 2 cups of cherries, almond extract, lemon juice and the butter (if using). Chill until ready to use.
  • For sauce, you can leave out the butter, but if you are using the filling in cherry tarts or pies, the butter gives the filling a little more body.

Free Form Cherry Tart (Two Small or One Large)

  • In a mixing bowl , mix together flour, sugar, and salt.
  • Cut the butter into bits or grate it with a cheese grater and scatter it over the flour.
  • With a pastry cutter or your fingers, mix until coarse.
  • Add cold water a few tablespoons at a time and stir, pushing all dough toward the center, with a heavy duty scraper until dough holds together.
  • Press into two tight balls (or one large one if making one large crostata), wrap in plastic and chill for at least half an hour or until ready to use.
  • To make a small to medium size tart, set one section of dough on a floured surface. Let it sit at room temperature just until it is soft enough to roll.
  • Roll into an 8 inch square and transfer to a parchment lined rimmed baking pan. Spread a thin layer of egg wash over the circle. Spoon about 1 cup of the cherry mixture in the center of the circle, leaving about a 2 inch border. Bring borders of circle up and over the edge of the perimeter of the cherries so that the crust covers just part of the cherries and pinch the edges. It will look like a square, but the edges will probably come apart a little during baking.
  • Brush crust with more egg wash and sprinkle with sugar if desired. Bake at 425 degrees F for about 20 minutes or until golden brown. Let cool for 30 minutes to an hour before serving.

Notes

This recipe yields enough to make 2 small tarts or one fairly large. The small tarts serve 2-3 (or 4 if you accompany with ice cream) and the large tart should be double. Here's a tip from Karen, who made the recipe and left a comment: Roll out both dough circles before you fill them. That way you can divide the cherries evenly.