Best Darn Cherry Pie

courtesy of Cherry Country Orchard & Chocolate Factory

4 cups fresh TART cherries

3 Tablespoons Cornstarch

1 cup sugar-divided

dash salt

¾ cup cherry juice- divided

¼ teaspoon almond extract

2 Tablespoons butter

¼ teaspoon Red food coloring*

prepared crust for top and bottom

*optional: this is required to get the traditional red seen in photographs.

Mix ¼ cup sugar, salt, and cornstarch, then add ¼ cup cherry juice to make the mixture into a paste.  In a saucepan, mix ¾ cup sugar and ½ cup cherry juice and bring to a boil. While boiling, slowly add cornstarch and sugar mixture.  Stirring constantly, until it gets thick and clear. Fold in cherries and add almond extract, food coloring* and butter. Pour into pie crust, cover with top crust and bake at 375º for one hour.

Enjoy

ps i wish I had the appropriate photo, but unfortunately our cherries had to go in the freezer due to unforeseen medical emergency