Indulge in Homemade Bliss: The Easiest Cherry Crumb Pie with Aldi or Trader Joe’s Dark Morello Cherries
There’s nothing quite like a homemade pie, and this cherry crumb pie recipe is designed to bring that delightful experience to your kitchen with maximum ease and incredible flavor. Forget the hassle of searching for seasonal fresh cherries; this recipe beautifully utilizes readily available, inexpensive Trader Joe’s or Aldi Dark Morello Cherries, making it a perfect dessert to whip up any time of the year. This classic crumb pie features three distinct, complementary layers: a flaky, buttery pastry crust, a luscious cherry filling bursting with tart-sweet flavor, and a golden, irresistible crumb topping.
The foundation of any great pie is its crust, and this recipe delivers a truly exceptional one using a basic all-butter pie dough. What sets this method apart is the clever technique of grating the cold butter directly into the flour mixture. This approach is a game-changer, significantly simplifying the process compared to the traditional, often messy, method of cutting butter in with a pastry cutter or your fingertips. Grating ensures that the butter is distributed evenly and remains in tiny, cold pieces, which is crucial for creating those coveted flaky layers in your pie crust. As the butter melts in the oven, it releases steam, separating the layers of dough and resulting in an incredibly tender and flaky texture. I find a simple, sharp plastic grater works wonders for this, despite its unassuming appearance. The ease of this method will make you wonder why you ever did it any other way!
The heart of this easy cherry crumb pie is its vibrant, flavorful filling. We harness the power of Aldi or Trader Joe’s Dark Morello Cherries, which are a secret weapon for any home baker. These jarred cherries are not only remarkably inexpensive but also consistently delicious and available throughout the year, removing the seasonal constraints typically associated with cherry pies. Their dark, rich color and perfectly balanced tartness make them ideal for pie filling, offering a depth of flavor that rivals fresh fruit. I often keep a few jars on hand, using them not just for this fantastic pie but also as a delectable topping for cheesecakes or even stirred into yogurt. The filling is gently cooked with sugar and cornstarch, thickening it to a perfect consistency that holds its shape beautifully when sliced, without being overly gelatinous. A touch of lemon juice brightens the cherry flavor, while almond extract adds a subtle, complementary warmth that makes the cherries truly sing.
Before it goes into the oven, this homemade cherry crumb pie already promises a delightful outcome. The unbaked pie, with its smooth, vibrant cherry filling nestled in a golden crust and topped with a generous sprinkle of crumbly goodness, is a testament to the simple elegance of this recipe. It’s a snapshot of anticipation, a prelude to the warm, fragrant dessert that will soon emerge from your oven.
And here it is, the moment of truth! A beautifully baked cherry crumb pie, ready to be devoured. Please forgive the slightly imperfect lighting in the photo—these delicious shots were captured late at night, a testament to how quickly this pie disappeared once it was ready! The golden-brown crumb topping, the bubbling cherry filling peeking through, and the perfectly baked crust combine to create a truly irresistible dessert. Serve it slightly warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, and prepare for rave reviews. This pie is not just a dessert; it’s a comforting, homemade treat that’s perfect for family gatherings, special occasions, or simply to satisfy a sweet craving on a quiet evening.
When selecting your pie dish, I highly recommend sticking to a 9-inch size to ensure the perfect ratio of crust, filling, and topping. Anything larger might spread the filling too thin or alter baking times significantly. For convenience, especially if you plan on sharing your baking prowess, disposable pie tins are an excellent choice. I recently stocked up on a pack of 50 from Webstaurant, a savvy purchase that came in at just $10.49 (plus shipping, which I offset by adding a few other kitchen essentials to my order). These tins are incredibly handy for gifting pies to friends, neighbors, or colleagues without worrying about getting your favorite pie dish back. Their sturdy construction is surprisingly good for baking, and they make cleanup a breeze, allowing you to focus on the joy of baking and sharing. Preparing a batch of pies for the upcoming holiday season or just for everyday generosity becomes effortlessly manageable with these practical pie pans.
This cherry crumb pie isn’t just easy to make; it’s a celebration of simple ingredients transformed into something extraordinary. The combination of the rich, tart Morello cherries with the sweet, buttery crumb topping and the tender, flaky crust creates a symphony of textures and flavors in every bite. Whether you’re an experienced baker or just starting your culinary journey, this recipe offers a foolproof path to a truly satisfying homemade dessert. The convenience of using jarred cherries means you can enjoy this delightful pie any time of year, making it a staple in your recipe collection. Gather your ingredients, and get ready to impress your family and friends with this timeless, delicious cherry crumb pie.
For more delicious recipes and baking inspiration, check out these related posts:
- Dark Morello Cherries In Pie Filling
- Frozen Cherry Berry Pie
- Trader Joe’s Dark Chocolate Brownies
- Trader Joe’s Peanut Butter White and Chocolate Chunk Cookies
- Mixed Nut Butter Chocolate Chunk Cookies
Recipe
Cherry Crumb Pie
Anna
Pin Recipe
Ingredients
Crust
- 1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour (162 grams)
- 2 teaspoons sugar
- ½ teaspoon salt or just a pinch if using salted butter
- 1 stick cold unsalted butter (114 grams)
- ¼ cup very cold water
Filling
- 24 oz jar Trader Joe’s Dark Morello Cherries in light syrup
- ⅓ cup sugar (65 grams)
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon butter
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- ¼ teaspoon almond extract
Crumb Topping
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour (35 grams)
- ½ cup oats
- ⅓ cup brown sugar (70 grams)
- 1 generous pinch salt
- ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened (42 grams)
Instructions
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Stir the flour, sugar and salt together in a large bowl. Grate or shred the cold butter over the flour mixture, stopping occasionally to toss butter with flour mixture. When the whole stick of butter has been added, stir mixture with a fork or use your fingers to make the mixture evenly coarse.
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Add water 1 tablespoon at a time and stir with a heavy duty scraper until dough comes together. Shape into ball. Wrap in plastic and keep chilled until ready to use or use immediately.
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Filling: Separate syrup from cherries and measure out ¾ cup of the syrup.
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In a large saucepan, stir together sugar and cornstarch. Whisk in the cherry syrup, then set over medium heat. Whisk the mixture until it thickens and becomes translucent. Remove from heat and stir in butter, lemon juice and extract, then stir in the drained cherries.
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Pie Assembly: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. and put a heavy rimmed baking sheet in the oven. You’ll be baking the pie on the hot, preheated cookie sheet (which is supposed to help keep the crust crisp).
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On a lightly floured surface, roll dough into a 12 inch circle. Transfer to a 9 inch round pie tin and crimp edges. Pour filling in the center of the pie.
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Topping: Combine the flour, oats, sugar, salt and cinnamon in the bowl you used for your pie crust. Add butter and stir until crumbly, then sprinkle over pie filling.
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Set the pie on the hot baking sheet and put it in the oven.
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Reduce the heat to 375 degrees F. and bake for 40 minutes. Check after 30 minutes to make sure your crumb topping isn’t browning too quickly. If it is, lay a sheet of foil over it.
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Let the pie cool before serving.