Cherry Pie Delight with Creamy Custard Topping Recipe

Ingredients:

The first step to creating this Cherry Pie Delight with Creamy Custard Topping is gathering your ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need:

• 2 cups of fresh or canned cherries, pitted
• ³⁄₄ cup of sugar for the cherries
• 2 tablespoons of cornstarch
• ¹⁄₄ cup of cherry juice or water
• 1 pie crust, pre-baked
• 4 egg yolks for the custard
• ³⁄₄ cup of sugar for the custard
• ¹⁄₄ cup of cornstarch for the custard
• 2 cups of whole milk
• 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
• 1 cup of heavy cream
• 2 tablespoons of powdered sugar

Instructions:

Preparing the Cherry Filling

Start with your cherry filling, a sweet and tangy base for our delightful pie:

1. In a saucepan, combine cherries, sugar, and cornstarch. Stir in the cherry juice or water.
2. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly until the mixture thickens and cherries release their juices. This should take about 10 minutes.
3. Let it cool down a bit, then pour this mixture into your pre-baked pie crust. Let it cool and set.

Making the Creamy Custard

Now, let’s move on to the custard topping, which will bring a creamy and luxurious feel to your Cherry Pie:

1. In a bowl, whisk together egg yolks, sugar, and cornstarch until smooth.
2. Warm the milk in a saucepan until it just begins to simmer, then slowly whisk it into the egg mixture.
3. Return the mixture to the saucepan over medium heat, stirring continuously to avoid clumping.
4. When the custard thickens, remove from heat, stir in vanilla extract, and let it cool slightly.
5. Once the cherry filling has set, pour the warm custard over the top, smoothing it out. Chill in the refrigerator for at least 3 hours or overnight.

Finishing Touches

To make this dessert even more irresistible, follow these steps:

• Whip the heavy cream with powdered sugar until stiff peaks form.
• Pipe or spread the whipped cream over the chilled custard layer.

Notes:

🌟 Note: For the best flavor, use fresh cherries when in season, but canned cherries work well too if drained properly.

🍒 Note: If you prefer, you can add a bit of almond extract to enhance the cherry flavor in the filling.

To round off this culinary journey, let's reflect on what we've created with this Cherry Pie Delight with Creamy Custard Topping. We've started with a sweet, glossy cherry filling and followed it with a smooth, rich custard layer that's been chilled to perfection. The final touch of whipped cream not only adds to the visual appeal but also provides a light contrast to the richness of the custard and cherry base. Together, these layers create a dessert that's not just a treat to eat but a joy to prepare. Enjoy serving this delightful pie, knowing that every bite offers a blend of textures and flavors designed to enchant.

Can I use frozen cherries for the filling?

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Yes, you can use frozen cherries. Thaw them and drain any excess liquid before using. They might release more juice than fresh cherries, so keep this in mind when adjusting the thickness with cornstarch.

Can I make the pie ahead of time?

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Absolutely! You can assemble the pie up to the custard layer a day in advance, refrigerating it to set. Add the whipped cream right before serving for the best texture.

What if I don’t have a pre-baked pie crust?

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If you don’t have a pre-baked pie crust, you can make one yourself using store-bought dough or from scratch. Blind bake it before adding the fillings.